LANCASTER, N.Y. — Approximately 500 members of Teamsters Local 264 employed at the Tops distribution center on Genesee Street in Lancaster commenced a strike on Friday, following the rejection of the previous contract offer. However, a tentative four-year agreement has now been reached.
Tops Markets issued a statement on Friday evening, announcing the agreement. According to the statement, the tentative deal, reached after negotiations, is set to be voted on Saturday, June 8.
“We have reached a tentative four-year agreement with Teamsters Local Union #264, representing our warehouse associates and drivers, after thoughtful negotiations. The agreement will be subject to a vote on Saturday, June 8,” the statement from Tops read.
The company expressed confidence that the new contract would be approved, enabling them to maintain full operations at the distribution center and continue serving the community’s grocery needs.
“While awaiting the vote, all our stores will remain open and serving customers as usual,” Tops assured.
The strike commenced on Friday morning after the members rejected the most recent contract offer from the company, which aimed to replace the agreement that expired just over a week ago on May 31.
It’s important to note that the strike solely involves employees at the Tops distribution center and does not affect workers within Tops grocery stores.
The warehouse workers cited the need for wages reflecting the increased cost of living due to inflation as their reason for striking.
“We’re not greedy, and we’re not looking to put this company out of business. We just want a piece of the pie and what working people deserve,” stated Darrin Ziemba, business agent for Local 264.
Details of the offer were not disclosed by Ziemba, but sources indicated that the proposed contract included a wage increase of $5 per hour, to be implemented through smaller annual increments over the next five years.
However, some workers expressed concerns about other aspects of the offer.
“They offered us some raises and stuff, but they’re sacrificing the new people coming in, taking away their 401K, and making them pay a lot more for their medical and stuff like that,” said warehouse worker Russ Vandermeulen.
Tops, in a statement, asserted that their latest offer comprised an “industry-leading total compensation and benefits package,” a claim disputed by striking workers.
Negotiations between Tops and the union continued even after the strike commenced, with both parties expressing hope for a swift resolution.
Tops issued an additional statement early Friday morning assuring customers of uninterrupted service at their stores while negotiations with the union proceeded.
“We will continue to serve our customers with normal operations at all our store locations. Plans are in place to ensure there is no service disruption,” the statement read.
The company emphasized its commitment to reaching a long-term agreement that meets the needs of all stakeholders and allows them to fulfill their responsibility to the community.
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