Hunts Point Market, union reach agreement

Union officials and businesses at the Hunts Point Market have reached a tentative agreement that may help avert a strike.

Workers ratify the proposed agreement

Workers at the Hunts Point Produce Market overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year agreement with business owners, averting what would have been the first labor strike in the sprawling complex in a quarter-century.

The previous contract expired Monday, Jan. 16 at midnight, but labor leaders declined to call a strike at the time, instead telling workers to continue on with their shifts while negotiations with owners resumed.

Ninety-five percent of the Market’s 1,300 warehouse workers, drivers and sales representatives voted to accept the deal struck on Wednesday afternoon between teamster heads and management.

The new contract will go into effect on May 1.

“With this process behind us, our members are looking forward to doing what they do best – serving New York City and the tri-state area by keeping the best produce in the world flowing to the grocery stores and restaurants.” said Danny Kane, President of Teamsters Local 202.

“A contract is something that’s built over decades,” he said. “In these days and times, that’s important.” 

Wage increases, management contributions to pensions, and enhanced health care benefits that will lower out-of-pocket costs for workers were key among new conditions in the contract, Kane said.