To the editor: Vermont OK’d labor union prop; Let’s stand with striking N.H. grocery workers

On Tuesday, Nov. 3^, Vermont voters overwhelmingly approved Proposal 3, which amends the state constitution to enshrine the right to organize or join a labor union and to negotiate “wages, hours, and working conditions and to protect their economic welfare and safety in the workplace.”

The amendment passed because Vermonters understand that the right of workers to stand together is more important than ever in the age of billionaire CEOs, extreme wealth inequality and the deliberate gutting by the Trump administration of the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

Right now, workers represented by Teamsters Local 633, at the Associated Grocers Northeast warehouse in Pembroke, N.H.,  are on strike, resulting in some grocery shortages at stores in Vermont.

Why did they go on strike? Because a new contract proposed by the grocery distributor would strip the workers of their pensions and offer only a 401K account to which the employer would not contribute. The workers have been trying to negotiate a reasonable contract since June. In those five months the best AGNE is willing to offer, despite their reported $750 million in revenue, is a contract that would take away the workers’ retirement benefits!

I hope Vermonters will stand in solidarity with Teamsters Local 633 as they fight for a fair contract, continue to support the local stores that may be impacted by the strike, and continue to support the rights of workers over the greed of corporations.

Robert Nied
Chester