‘We won because we fought hard': Workers at Hunts Point Market agree to new contract with management

More than 1,400 workers who have been striking for higher pay have agreed to a new contract with the Hunts Point Produce Market.

News 12 Staff

Jan 23, 2021, 11:03 PM

Updated 1,418 days ago

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More than 1,400 workers who have been striking for higher pay for nearly a week have agreed to a new contract with the Hunts Point Produce Market.
The union tweeted that: “Teamsters Local 202 members voted this morning to approve their new union contract with the largest raises in the history of their bargaining unit. We won because we fought hard.”
Ninety-seven percent of the workers voted in agreement and now workers will eventually see a $1.85 raise.
The union president said it will play out over the next three years with a minimum raise of 70 cents per hour in the first year. An increase to $1.85 will eventually hit by the third year. Employees won't have to pay more to their family health care benefits, something the market originally wanted. The workers initially asked for a wage increase of $1 per hour and the market counteroffered with 32 cents, which they deemed unacceptable.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez showed up twice this week to show her support for the employees. Rep. Ritchie Torres also sent a letter to President Joe Biden, asking for involvement from the federal government.