Local 641 Stands with Workers in Lengthy Battle
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Teamsters at Five Star Parking working at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, and represented by Local 641 and, prior to that, Local 723.
On September 17, 2004, Five Star parking reduced the wages of all union employees represented by Local 723 by 12.5 percent. Five Star parking had declared an impasse after meeting with the negotiating committee for two days for an approximate total of three hours.
The dispute was arbitrated and the arbitrator ruled in favor of Local 723. Five Star appealed to the U.S. District Court, which ruled in favor of Five Star. At that point, local 723 merged with Local 641 in Union, New Jersey. Local 641 continued the fight for the employees’ lost wages and appealed to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in favor of the union.
The local has won every appeal since the Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on the case.
“Local 723 fought hard for these members, and Local 641 picked that fight right back up when we merged,” said Anthony Artificio, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 641, and President of Joint Council 73. “I’m proud that the local helped these members get what they worked so hard for.”
In December, Five Star Parking agreed to follow the court’s directive and pay all employees their lost money, estimated between $1.5 and $2 million. All present and past members will receive their checks by the end of January 2008.
