Union Urges Fairness for Town of Concord Public Works Employees

BOSTON, MA (April 6, 2019) – Teamsters Local 25, the largest Teamsters union in New England with more than 12,500 members, is urging the Town of Concord to negotiate fairly with its’ Public Works employees during ongoing contract negotiations. Negotiators for the Town of Concord are refusing to give Public Works employees basics such as set working hours and fair overtime pay and are greedily trying to take back benefits employees already have, including comp time. Union leadership is making this public appeal by placing flyers and demonstrating at various public events, including the upcoming annual Town Meeting.

For more than three years the Town of Concord and its’ attorney have stalled contract talks with Public Works employees represented by Teamsters Local 25. The town has been unwilling to provide even the most basic benefits that most employees enjoy anywhere else in the country, public or private sector. The Town of Concord has refused to give these dedicated workers set work hours and a secure schedule, refused continuous overtime pay for hours worked to keep roads and public places clear, clean and safe. The town is also refusing to recognize seniority, a disrespectful slap in the face to long-term, dedicated Public Works employees.

“Our members at the Concord Public Works work extremely long hours keeping roads and public places clear, clean, and safe,” said Teamsters Local 25 President Sean M. O’Brien. “These dedicated men and women who serve the town with distinction are being denied basic benefits that most working people receive just for being employed. They are not being fairly compensated for their work and it’s appalling that the town is still trying to strip these workers and their families of benefits they already receive under prior contracts. We urge the Town of Concord to start giving these workers the respect they deserve and fairly negotiate a new contract.”

Teamsters Local 25 also notes that during negotiations and mediation, the Town of Concord has taken a consistently anti-union positions that are not based on economics and prevent workers from having a voice in the workplace. The town has taken outrageous positions on stewards performing union business, union business agents being on property and respecting picket lines. The town is also adamantly pushing a provision requiring that union members who earn supervisory positions be contractually obligated to management, similar to a loyalty oath. This move and the refusal to acknowledge seniority has left many workers feeling disrespected and has naturally affected morale.

“Happy workers care more about what they are doing. They are more invested in the workplace,” said Patricia Hopkins, a Public Works employee and Concord resident. “When morale is high productivity and the quality of work is better, and interactions with co-workers and the public are more friendly. Knowing how to do the job right is important to someone who care about the outcome. That’s why membership in Teamsters Local 25 is so important. The union provides all members with job training and a support system that always has our best interests at heart.”

Teamsters Local 25 prides itself on fighting tirelessly to help its members earn the best wages possible to support their families and to hold employers accountable when they are mistreating workers. The union is determined that its public sector members are afforded proper respect and a voice in the workplace.

“Being fairly compensated with good benefits is very important to me and my family,” said Timothy Jones, a Public Works employee. “A dedicated, well-trained and happy workforce is of the utmost importance. Being valued as an employee provides for all three of those and, in turn, gives the people of Concord the utmost value and level of service.”

Teamsters Local 25 urges all Concord residents to ask the Town to negotiate fairly with Public Works Employees by calling the Town Manager at 978-318-3000.