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STOP& SHOP A tense situation does not begin to describe the circumstances surrounding the once looming closure of the Stop & Shop warehouse in Freetown, and the potential strike at the American Red Cross. Both ordeals would have brought serious problems to our local union, but we prevailed in the end. In April of last year, President O’Brien was informed by Stop & Shop management that the company was seriously considering Vclosing the Stop & Shop warehouse Iin Freetown, and displacing C T O 1,200 drivers, mechanics and warehouse workers. The company had been negotiating a tax incentive package out of state and planned to move the warehouse operation to Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The trucking end of the company would have gone to C&S Wholesalers of Brattleboro, Vermont. “I could not just sit idly and watch this foreign-owned company pick up and walk away from our union and the community,” O’Brien said. “We have had a contract with Stop & Shop since the late 1950s. I knew something had to be done fast.” O’Brien worked swiftly and both sides participated in several meetings that included representatives from pension and health Steward Jason Lopes and welfare actuaries, trucking and food industry experts, and stewards and rank-and-file members. In the end the membership was promised that the Freetown warehouse would remain open for at least the next 12 years under Teamsters Local 25 representation, and the workers ratified a new agreement by a 472 to 17 vote. The new contract guaranteed health and welfare, pension and most importantly job security. “My hat goes off to President O’Brien,” said steward Jason Lopes. “I don’t know how he pulled it off, but he did. I thought it was over and that we were all going to lose our jobs. There is a new energy in the workplace now. Thank you to President O’Brien, Business Agent Bob Fabrizio and Secretary-Treasurer Mark Harrington for saving my job.” Standing room only at Stop & Shop contract meeting. 10 | The SPOKESMAN | SPRING 2013 | www.teamsterslocal25.com
Thomas Risdon Red Cross R I E S Local 25 business agent. “But in the eleventh hour under the Teamsters Local 25 has proudly hosted a monthly blood bank for the local American Red Cross since 1964, donating thousands of pints of blood over the years. When the company did not seem interested in renewing a labor contract with Local 25, we knew we had to work quickly to get it done and protect our members. We were far apart with the company regarding wages, health care and shift differentials. Local 25 gave the company a 10-day notice of strike (which must be done in the healthcare industry) and the clock started ticking. “It was certainly an anxious few days as we prepared to strike this highly esteemed health care institution,” said George Slicis, leadership of President Sean O’Brien, we were able to deliver a strong contract for our members, and they ratified it by a 52 to 4 vote in favor.” “For nearly 50 years, we have had a strong, positive relationship with the Red Cross, through our blood bank and other activities,” O’Brien said. “However, if an employer attempts to harm our members’ livelihoods, no matter who or what they are, we will stand up and fight for what is right. In this case, we responded to a threat to our members’ security and we prevailed. We negotiated a strong contract for our Red Cross members and we will continue to host our blood bank for the Red Cross to help the citizens of the Bay State who are in need of blood.” Local 25 represents 80 members at Red Cross, and they conduct mobile operations and distribution. Members set up blood drives and handle the blood packs. Workers pack the blood packs on ice and bring the product back to the lab for processing and distribute where needed. See Blood Bank, Page 27 Red Cross members vote in favor of the contract. www.teamsterslocal25.com | SPRING 2013 | The SPOKESMAN | 11
Page 1 and 2: TEAMSTER STRONG SPRING 2013
Page 3 and 4: Message from the President Dear Bro
Page 5 and 6: Business Agent George Slicis My las
Page 7 and 8: New England Teamsters Federal Credi
Page 9 and 10: 2013 Planning Committee GALA CO-CHA
Page 11: More than 750 guests feasted on gou
Page 15 and 16: tial pay raises, including a signif
Page 17 and 18: Teamsters Local 25 Memorial Scholar
Page 19 and 20: Women’s Committee Corner L to R:
Page 21 and 22: www.teamsterscare.com Timely Advice
Page 23 and 24: Name Company Times/Gallons Name Com
Page 25 and 26: G COMMISSIONER • CHIEF APPRAISER
Page 27 and 28: Members lock arms in show of suppor
Page 29 and 30: In Memoriam Name Company Name Compa
Page 31 and 32: Local 25 Autism Gala. This year was

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