Local 653 Members Go on Strike in Massachusetts, Picket Line Extends to Sysco
Arizona as Hundreds of Workers Prepare to Take Action
Nationwide
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2022
/PRNewswire/ -- More than 300 workers at Local 653 have walked off
the job at Sysco Boston, less than three days after more than 230
members of Local 317 went on an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike
at Sysco Syracuse in New York.
The decision to strike came after management offered a "last,
best, final" offer that would strip their essential workers of
high-quality union health insurance and deny Local 653 members
their union pension.
"We are currently striking Sysco over unfair labor practice
charges and economics, pension, wages, health care, the whole bit,"
said Trevor Ashley, a 20-year driver
at Sysco Boston and member of Local 653. "We've been called
essential workers for the longest time and now it's just empty
words. We are working under grueling conditions. Some of us are
working 14, 15, 16 hours a day, six days a week. We deserve more,
and we aren't going to stop until we get it."
The strike began at 12:01 a.m.
yesterday, one minute after the workers' contract ended. Shortly
after workers went on strike at Sysco Boston, Local 653
extended their picket line to Sysco Arizona, where more than 250
members at Local 104 are currently honoring the line.
"Workers around the country are rising up at Sysco to demand
what they deserve. The Teamsters are done letting this company take
advantage of its workers. Our members are essential, united, and
fighting back. This is only the beginning," said Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters
Warehouse Division.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
represents hardworking men and women throughout the U.S.,
Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org to learn more.
Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at
Facebook.com/teamsters.
Contact:
Daniel
Moskowitz, (770)
262-4971
dmoskowitz@teamster.org
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/teamsters-strike-sysco-boston-301638426.html
SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters