National Teamsters Hispanic Caucus Passes Resolution to Protect Workers at FreshDirect

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Jul 21, 2010, 06:23 ET

Calls on Company to Remain Neutral, Pledges Support, Resources to Protect Workers from Exploitive Practices Nationwide As FreshDirect Expands Operations

WASHINGTON, July 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Teamsters Hispanic Caucus passed a key resolution at its annual conference last week, committing to fight the exploitive business practices by online grocer FreshDirect as its workers seek union representation.

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FreshDirect has been at the center of controversy surrounding its warehouse in Queens, N.Y., for more than three years. Over that time, elected officials and organized labor have exposed the company as union-busters and of possibly alerting immigration officials to the status of some of its own workers—all to thwart fair wage increases and better working conditions for employees at the facility.

The company has grown to employ more than 1,000 mostly Latino and African American workers at the facility. The company also recently announced that it would earn $300 million this year, and is looking for new investors to expand to other cities across the country.

"FreshDirect's actions have shown a blatant disregard for the most basic worker rights," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "As the company's success grows, so do our concerns that its anti-worker and antiunion practices will only expand with FreshDirect as it proceeds with its planned expansion into other markets. I applaud the Teamsters National Hispanic Caucus for passing this resolution to put the company on notice – our union will not stand idly by if FreshDirect continues to exploit its workforce."

For the past year, a coordinated effort by Teamsters Local 805, UFCW Local 342, elected officials, workers, and workers-rights groups have sought resolution on three points: preventing the use of immigration services for anti-labor practices; a statement of neutrality from the company not to interfere in the right of its employees to unionize; and prevailing wage, fair benefits and better working conditions as a company that receives government subsidies.

"With the passage of this resolution, the National Teamsters Hispanic Caucus has pledged to monitor the company's behavior and support the workers in their efforts to seek union representation," said International Vice President and National Teamsters Hispanic Caucus President George Miranda. "We will also ensure that every local government is aware of FreshDirect's checkered past and push for legal assurances that any government subsidy given to the company requires prevailing wages and fair treatment for the workers."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters