N.J. Grocery Loaders Stage 1-day Strike

Truck loaders at Grocery Haulers Inc., represented by Teamsters Local Union 863, staged a one-day strike on Oct. 27 to protest what they said was the Avenel, N.J.-based company’s refusal to negotiate a contract. Local 863 has filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board against the Grocery Haulers, citing its failure to bargain with the union.

“We have gone without a contract for 10 long months,” noted Alphonse Rispoli, secretary-treasurer of Mountainside, N.J.-based Teamsters Local 863. “These dedicated workers deserve a fair and just contract, and we are not getting any answers from the company.”

Additionally, more than 200 hundred members of Local 863 protested in front of A&P headquarters in Montvale, N.J., in a demonstration of support for the loaders. A&P contracts with Grocery Haulers for deliveries from warehouses operated by Keene, N.H.-based C&S Wholesale Grocers. The action interrupted service to A&P stores from the C&S facility in Woodbridge, N.J.

When contacted by Progressive Grocer, A&P senior director of public relations Lauren La Bruno said: “It is the company’s position not to comment publicly on any discussions or negotiations we may be having with our suppliers as we work to implement our comprehensive turnaround plan.”

“This is just the beginning,” Rispoli said. “A&P must be held accountable for their employees, customers and the contractors they use to warehouse and deliver products to their stores.”

The Teamsters represent thousands of workers in the grocery and warehousing industries in the Garden State.