Teamsters 118 Boycott & Picket Palmer Foods Regional Market

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Teamsters 118 Calls for Boycott & Picket of Palmer Foods Retail Market

Contact: Paul Markwitz, (585) 256-1350

(Rochester, NY) – On Wednesday, June 20, 2007, Teamsters Local 118 filed an Unfair Labor Practice Charge against Palmer Foods.

Paul Markwitz, speaking on behalf of the Teamsters Local 118 explained, “On November 16, 2006 Kip Palmer gave written exclusive authority to Vice President Bill Stein and Attorney Ray Pascucci to negotiate a contract with the Teamsters 118 on behalf of the Palmer Drivers. On May 29, 2007 the Union and Company Representatives reached a settlement on all remaining issues. On June 6, 2007 the Company reneged on the final agreement reached in negotiations, thereby committing an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP).”

This ULP is for “Regressive Bargaining” which is when two parties reach a firm agreement, and subsequent to reaching that agreement, one party actively chooses to alter the terms of that agreement. By law, this is an illegal action.

Markwitz added, “Local 118 has been negotiating this contract for over a year and it now appears that Kip Palmer has no intention of reaching an agreement.”

Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation President, James V. Bertolone, commented, “This is exactly why we need the Employee Free Choice Act. Too often employers fail to negotiate in good faith. Too often are employers blaming employees for increasing costs when even the New York State Business Alliance agrees that healthcare is the leading problem facing businesses in our communities.” Bertolone concluded, “The Employee Free Choice Act guarantees arbitration when a 1^st contract cannot be reached. With that legislation, peace would prevail in this situation, however politicians like Randy Kuhl and George Bush continue to promote conflict over reasonable solutions.”

What Happens Now?

Teamsters Local 118 are promoting a boycott of the Palmer Foods retail business located at the Regional market on Jefferson Road, Rochester, NY. They are asking all fellow union members, family, friends and community members to join them in their boycott of Palmer Foods Regional Market until such time that Palmer’s management chooses to negotiate in good faith for the benefit of all their employees.

At this time no strike has been called by the Union, however Local 118 has secured a strike authorization from the Palmer Drivers.

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