LANCASTER, N.Y. — Nearly four days after strikes began at the Tops Friendly Markets distribution center in Lancaster, the supermarket giant and its union reached a new contract agreement.
On Monday morning, Teamsters Local #264 membership approved a new four-year contract, bringing the strike to an immediate end and returning the workers to their jobs.
The agreement includes instant signing bonuses of up to $20,000 and a $6 per hour raise over the next four years. Workers will get a $2 per hour raise in each of the next two years and a $1 per hour raise in the two years after that.
“We got it done. We won,” said Darrin Ziemba, recording secretary for the union. “I believe that this deal is going to go a long way to mending some fences between the employer and the employees.”
Union representatives told 2 On Your Side the signing bonuses were what finalized the deal, as the membership had already struck down two offers, including one for $5 per hour raises and another for $6.50 per hour raises since the strike began Friday.
The contract impacts about 590 warehouse workers, drivers, sanitation workers and maintenance staff.
A Tops Friendly Markets representative provided a statement in regards to the agreement:
"Tops Friendly Markets and Teamsters Local Union #264, which represents Tops Distribution Center associates, have successfully achieved four-year contract agreements for the full union membership — which includes warehouse workers, drivers, sanitation workers, and maintenance staff. The contracts are now in place after they were approved by union membership on Monday, June 10, and all associates are resuming work immediately.
The ratified agreement provides industry-leading terms that exceed those agreed to in the past, while also ensuring our customers will continue to enjoy the service, selection, and value that they’ve come to expect from Tops Markets. We want to extend our gratitude to Teamsters Local Union #264 and everyone involved in the negotiations for their diligent work on behalf of our associates. We look forward to serving the grocery needs of our community together for many years to come."
Read our previous coverage on the strikes by clicking here.
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