Teamsters in Massachusetts have gathered at Beacon Hill to urge the passage of two significant bills aimed at enhancing workplace safety. The Massachusetts General Court’s Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development heard testimonies from union members advocating for H.2103/S.1307, which seeks to protect warehouse workers from unreasonable production quotas, and H.3995/S.1355, designed to safeguard workers from extreme temperature exposure.
Tom Mari, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Joint Council 10 and President of Teamsters Local 25, expressed concerns about current working conditions: “Amazon and its Big Tech friends have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to increase their profits by forcing employees to work in unsafe, toxic conditions. Wages are low and benefits are terrible as these corporations put workers at risk of serious injury and heat stroke,” he stated. Mari emphasized the need for Massachusetts to improve conditions for workers by enacting these bills.
Sal Valente, a warehouse worker and member of Local 25, highlighted the challenges faced by employees: “It doesn’t matter if it’s freezing cold or scorching hot, too many companies today just think it’s business as usual,” he said. Valente believes that passing these bills will compel employers to prioritize worker safety, potentially saving lives.
The Teamsters are advocating for the Worker Protection Package across various states to ensure employee safety, support union jobs, and promote workplace democracy. Similar legislation has been passed in California, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Washington to protect warehouse workers from unsafe production quotas. Additionally, occupational standards for extreme temperature exposure have been supported by Teamsters in California, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington.
Teamsters Joint Council 10 represents over 50,000 union members throughout New England. More information can be found at teamstersjointcouncil10.com.
