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Teamsters
local ready to strike
Food delivery to schools and
restaurants maybe halted
Members of Teamsters Local 435
voted to strike unless Maryland-based US Foodservice increases pension
benefits, said Local 435 chief executive Steve Vairma. The company provides groceries and
related products to Denver and Aurora public schools as well as numerous
restaurants, including Dairy Queen, Chili's and others owned by national
chains. "The pension plan doesn't
offer a livable benefit," Vairma said. In a written statement provided by
the company, US Foodservice said it will continue to deliver groceries
whether or not there is a strike. The Teamsters have asked the firm
to enter a union-run pension plan, the statement said. "The company
will not enter the Teamsters plan because it presents an uncontrollable
risk to the company. In other contracts it has led to the potential of
millions of dollars in withdrawal liability," US Foodservice's
statement said. Currently, US Foodservice
pensioners who are members of the union receive about $1,000 a month after
30 years of service, Vairma said. A union plan proposed during talks would
boost that to a minimum of $2,000 a month. US Foodservice has offered a
package that includes a continuation of the pension, a 401(k) plan and a
wage increase, the statement said. Members were willing to forgo a
raise for one year to win the pension increase, Vairma said. The local's members voted 248-14
on Saturday to strike if negotiations don't yield an agreement by Negotiators are scheduled to
continue discussions today in Centennial.
Copyright
© 2002 Global Action on Aging |
