|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 15, 2003 Staples workers are considering Teamsters By Michael Levensohn Times Herald-Record mblevens@th-record.com Montgomery – Staples calls its Montgomery warehouse a "fulfillment center," but at least a few of the workers there are decidedly unfulfilled. Concerned about pay and working conditions, workers contacted Teamsters Local 863 a few weeks ago and asked for help. Yesterday afternoon, about a dozen union organizers lined Hadden Road, the employee entrance to the Staples warehouse. They handed out sign-up cards and fliers written in English and Spanish, and collected cards workers had signed. Cars left the warehouse in ones and twos. "Once a company knows we're out here, they will not release a shift. They'll keep [workers] on overtime," said Val Fiorillo, a vice president of Local 863, based in Mountainside, N.J., nearly a two-hour drive away. According to union officials, workers' concerns include pay (typically $10 to $13 an hour), job security and the cost of health insurance. Restrictions on personal time are also an issue. "I hardly ever miss a day, but I've got babies, so I worry because I see people getting fired for taking care of their families," said one worker, who asked not to be identified. In the past week, the company has distributed two fliers to employees, one signed by Stephen Oberholtzer, general manager of the warehouse, the other unsigned. Oberholtzer did not return a call yesterday. The signed flier advises workers to "just say no" to union organizers. "Ask the union to give you a written, legally enforceable guarantee that the union will solve all your problems to your complete satisfaction," it reads. Each side has accused the other of trying to sway workers by buying them meals. A company spokeswoman responded to queries yesterday by issuing a brief statement. "We do not feel that a union is necessary at Staples," the statement reads, adding that the company has "communicated with all of our associates in order to educate them on their legal rights." The union must collect signatures from 30 percent of the workers before it can hold an election. "The end of this month, we should have a good idea of what's going on," Fiorillo said. 40 Mulberry Street * PO Box 2046 * Middletown, NY 10940 Telephone 845-341-1100 or 800-295-2181 outside the Middletown, N.Y., area. Powered by THRNewMedia.com
For optimal viewing experience, click here. Copyright Orange County Publications. All rights reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
