Hunts Point Workers Postpone Strike Until Sunday at Request of Federal Mediator

BRONX, N.Y., Jan. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teamsters Local 202 has postponed its strike at Hunts Point Market until 4PM Sunday, at the request of the Acting Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The workers will go on strike Sunday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. if no deal is reached. Hunts Point Market is the source of most fresh produce used by New York area restaurants and grocers.

On Tuesday, 95 percent of Teamsters at the market voted to authorize the strike. The Teamsters represent 1,300 workers at Hunts Point Market.

"We are ready, willing and able to meet with the federal mediator and the businesses to try and settle this contract," said Daniel Kane Jr., President of Teamsters Local 202. "Our needs haven't changed. Our members need a $5 a day raise and merchants can afford it. The Teamsters will accept nothing less than a fair wage and fair treatment from Hunts Point Market."

"Come Sunday, if we haven't reached an agreement with Hunts Point owners, we will be on strike," Kane said.

Negotiations broke down earlier this week after management walked away from the table with a final offer of raises that do not keep up with the rising cost of living. Owners also want to increase the health care costs that workers have to bear and preserve a system that pays some workers less than others doing the same job.

Hunts Point Market provides fruit and vegetables for many of the region's grocers and restaurants – and it's a lucrative business. The businesses average $2.4 billion in annual revenues. Many owners at the market are millionaires who have prospered as worker wages have stagnated.

Contact:  
Alex Moore (718) 289-0204

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SOURCE Teamsters Joint Council 16

Related Links

http://www.teamster.org

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