Restaurants Feel The Impact Of Workers Striking At Sysco Distribution Center

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Hundreds of union workers at the Sysco distribution center in Jessup have been on strike for almost a week, which has worried area restaurants especially as Mother's Day approaches.

"We remain optimistic that will be able to resolve the issue," Marcus Smith with Teamsters Local 355 told WBAL.

Drivers and warehouse workers are striking in what's been described as "a peaceful way" without blocking traffic in and out of the facility. Union leaders told WBAL that contract negotiations broke down after months of talks. They aim to improve working conditions, lessen mandatory holiday shifts and revamp attendance policies.

"There's no warning to the strike. We were getting ready to start our week doing inventory. All of the sudden, we log online to place an order and were greeted with a surprise," said Dimitrios Ieromonahos, G&M Restaurant in Linthicum Heights' general manager.