Fresh Direct union workers to possibly strike over failed contract negotiations
Fresh Direct workers who belong to the union say their contract is up, and they tell News 12 Fresh Direct is proposing to outsource most of its deliveries to third party workers over the next few years.
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Fresh Direct delivery drivers may go on strike after failed contract negotiations with the company.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 2013 union represents nearly 700 Fresh Direct employees, such as drivers, runners and helpers. Their contract is now up. They tell News 12 that Fresh Direct is proposing to outsource most of its deliveries to third-party workers over the next few years.
This is something union workers say will cost their jobs.
"It's really just about profit over the quality of the work or the relationship between the workers and the customers," said Louis Carotenuto, the president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 2013 union.
Carotenuto tells News 12 they're preparing for a possible strike if they can't come up with an agreement with Fresh Direct.
They're asking for their workers to work 40-hour workweeks so they can support themselves and their families.
Union workers say whenever third parties deliver groceries, their customers say the care is not there. The packages are left out on the porch and oftentimes, elderly customers cannot get the produce inside by themselves.
"We go upstairs for you. We deliver all the time for you. Some of these customers, I've watched their kids grow up," said Wilfredo Chapel, who has been working for Fresh Direct for 15 years.
Workers say they fear their hours will get cut or they'll be out of a job. The contract with the union expires on Friday night. If a new contract isn't agreed upon and signed by then, the union says it will vote to strike.
News 12 reached out to Fresh Direct and is waiting for a response.
