Local 25 Members' Strike is Successful

Workers at an air freight company in Boston ratified a first contract May 27 after holding a four-day strike that began May 18.

The workers at Horizon Air Services in East Boston voted 35-15 to join Local 25 last summer, but went on strike after the company failed to negotiate a first contract in good faith.

“The workers’ courageous step to go on strike showed the company that they were serious about winning a strong Teamster contract,” said Sean M. O’Brien, President of Boston-based Local 25.

The strike involved about 50 truck drivers at Horizon. After the strike, the company got serious and began negotiating seriously. The drivers voted unanimously to ratify their first contract.

“The workers won wage increases and became part of our Teamsters Local 25 health and welfare plan,” O’Brien said. “The workers also won grievance language that will help them challenge unfair decisions by management. We believe that this contract will help change the way workers are treated in the air freight industry.”