Lancaster, N.Y. (WBEN) - Workers at Tops Friendly Markets' Distribution Center in Lancaster, represented by Teamsters Local Union No. 264, took to the picket lines on strike on Friday in front of the facility on Genesee Street at the intersection of Gunnville Road.
The strike officially commenced on Friday at midnight after union representatives turned down Tops' latest offer to Local 264 on Thursday night.
"We had a vote yesterday from 7:30 in the morning until 6 p.m. It was very well attended, the contracts were overwhelmingly turned down," said Brian Dickman, President of the Teamsters Local 264. "We contacted the company, let them know. We told them we would be walking at midnight, going out on strike."
Dickman added union representatives were set to get right back to the negotiating table at 9 a.m. ET on Friday with the company. Dickman says the goal for the union is to get a tentative agreement representatives can bring back and recommend to members so workers can get back to work as usual.
"As everybody knows out there, inflation last month was 3.4%, groceries are up. Not just the stores, all these companies, all they've done is raise their rates and everything on us. They don't suffer like we do," said Ross Vandermeulen, warehouse worker at the Lancaster Distribution Center and former union steward at Local 264. "We haven't had any kind of equitable income raises or anything, besides the small ones we had. So we were stuck in our contract, and now it's time. We just want a fair wage, and to be able to keep up with the times. If we're not getting a 3.4% raise, we're not getting anything because we're getting behind every day."
Dickman says the asks of the union with its new contract with Tops is an increase in wages, benefits, quality of life issues and more.
"The company issued a last best and final offer, so we never came to a tentative agreement at the table. We voted that offer last night, and it was rejected by the membership, mostly because of the package that was there just fell short of our expectations," Dickman noted. "Their proposal on medical that creates different tiers for new employees coming in was unacceptable to us, along with the wages fell short, as well."
"The other part is they're taking away 401k and stuff from the younger guys. They're basically sacrificing the people that are coming in at this time, and as a union, we're just not for that. We want to keep the future going," Vandermeulen added.
In total, about 500 workers are now on strike, with dozens of them walking the picket line on Friday morning, some as early as midnight. Most of the workers striking were on the picket line between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. ET.
"We just need to get an equitable deal," Vandermeulen said. "All these guys are family men. I've been here, I started in the stores in 1980. I was working there, I had a little break in service and then came to the warehouse. I've been working for this company for a long time, and we want it to be equitable. We want them to make money. We also just want a fair share, and be able to keep up with the times. That's all we want. Everything's doubled in the stores - hardware stores, you name it - and we're just trying to stay with it."
Vandermeulen is hopeful Tops will continue to bargain in good faith, and that a fair and equitable contract can be finalized that will allow everyone to return to work as soon as possible.
Officials at Tops released the following statement in light of the workers strike:
"As we work diligently to reach a new contract agreement with Teamsters Local Union No. 264, which represents our warehouse associates and drivers, we will continue to serve our customers with normal operations at all our store locations. Plans are in place to ensure there is no service disruption. In the days to come, customers can expect the same service, selection, and value that they rely on from Tops.
"Over the course of the last several months, we have negotiated in good faith to reach a long-term contract agreement with the union. Throughout the process, we have prioritized the needs and interests of all our associates, customers, and communities.
"Tops’ latest offer contained an industry-leading total compensation and benefits package that exceeds any prior contract we’ve had in place with the union. After our proposed agreement was voted down today, we immediately requested to resume negotiations to achieve a resolution as soon as possible. With our company’s long and proud union history, we value our partnership with local labor, and we are optimistic that we will soon reach a long-term agreement that meets our responsibility to our entire organization and allows us to fulfill our commitment to serving the grocery needs of our community."