September 29, 2014
By Stephanie West
Taunton, Mass.- More than 230 workers at Reinhart Food Service represented by Teamsters Local Union 653 ratified a first contract. The employees voted by a 2 to 1 margin to approve the collective bargaining agreement.
The workers voted to join Local 653 in April 2013 following the third attempt to organize the drivers and warehouse workers by the union. Entering negotiations, the unit wanted to improve wages, healthcare and job security at Reinhart. "With this contract, I finally feel we have some real security – it was a huge weight off my mind," said Sean Walsh, a 22-year employee and member of the negotiating committee.
Local 653's efforts were backed by support from Teamsters Joint Council 10 in Manchester, N.H. and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
"This campaign was a success thanks to a team effort," said Brian McElhinney, President of Teamsters Local 653 in South Easton, Mass. "Joint Council 10 Secretary-Treasurer Dave Laughton, organizer Jeff Padellaro and International Vice President Sean O'Brien played key roles in making sure these workers received the resources and representation they needed to secure this strong first contract."
*** Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
