Teamsters on strike at Stratford's Connecticut Distributors Inc.
Workers say they are fighting for fair pay and working conditions.
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Workers at Connecticut Distributors Inc. walked the picket line Thursday, as a strike entered its fourth week.
Members of Teamsters Local 191 have been on strike since October 14, accusing the Stratford-based company of engaging in anti-union activity.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined striking drivers and workers outside the company’s headquarters, calling for C.D.I. to return to the bargaining table.
“These guys are out here fighting for fair pay, compensation, benefits — and the company has refused to respect or recognize their rights,” Blumenthal said. “We owe it to the working men and women of Connecticut to support them when they want to bargain collectively, when they want to insist on their rights.”
The Teamsters say it is seeking a fair contract that addresses wages, benefits and workplace protections.
In response, Connecticut Distributors Inc. said it has bargained in good faith throughout negotiations. Read the full statement below:
"Members of Teamsters Local 191 employed by Connecticut Distributors, Inc. ("CDI") at its Stratford, CT location went out on strike on October 14, 2025. Today, approximately 100 other Teamster members and/or agents arrived at our facility, in an attempt to threaten and intimidate our team members. While we respect the right of our employees to engage in peaceful strike activity, we have zero tolerance for unlawful behavior, including violence, by them or others whom the Teamsters recruit. The safety of our associates is our top priority. Toward that end, we will take appropriate action in response to any unlawful behavior.
The Teamsters initiated the strike in October, even though CDI and the Union are – and have been - actively involved in productive negotiations for a first contract covering our drivers. Since the election results were certified on July 21, 2025, CDI and the Teamsters have participated in 10 collective bargaining sessions, which have resulted in a number of tentative agreements. Notably, at the parties’ bargaining session on October 15, 2025 – the day after the strike began – the Teamsters, for the first time, provided CDI with its economic proposals – a 22-page packet that includes nearly 100 different sections. Discussions on these proposals have begun, and we have several more negotiation dates scheduled for this month and next month.
While the Teamsters may claim this strike is over alleged unfair labor practices, the facts simply do not bear out the Union's claims. indeed, at our very first bargaining session August 13th, the Teamsters proposed in their ground rules – though the parties did not agree – that we aim to achieve a contract by October 10th date. When that did not happen, the Teamsters went out on strike on October 14th – what would have been the drivers' first working day after the Teamsters' pre-determined October 10th date.
Since the outset of negotiations, CDI has bargained in good faith and will continue to do so. We are not so sure, however, about the Teamsters, whose bargaining team up and walked out of our last bargaining session less than halfway through.
Despite the Union’s efforts to shut us down, CDI remains open for business and will continue its distribution operations for the duration of the strike."
There is no word when the parties will reconvene at this time.
