Laundry Workers Secure Pension Increases and Improved Protections

In a significant victory for labor rights, over 300 laundry workers across seven states have ratified two regional agreements with Alsco, a leading provider of linen and uniform rental services. The three-year contracts include a range of improvements that will have a substantial impact on the workers' financial stability and job satisfaction.

The agreements, negotiated by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, include increased training and meeting pay, company pension contributions, improved strike language, protections preserving TeamCare benefits, and higher weekly minimum commission guarantees. These enhancements reflect the Teamsters' long-standing commitment to fighting for essential workers and ensuring they receive fair compensation and benefits.

Rocco Calo, Director of the Teamsters Industrial Trades Division, expressed his pride in the progress made and the team's dedication to pushing for industry-leading contracts nationwide. Alsco Teamsters provide essential services to various sectors, including restaurants, health care facilities, automotive industries, and industrial facilities, making their work crucial to the smooth operation of these businesses.

Jim Sciancalepore, an Alsco shop steward and Teamsters Local 79 member in Ft. Myers, Fla., praised the new contract, stating that it would have the biggest financial gains for him and his coworkers. He highlighted the Teamsters' negotiators and leadership for their efforts in securing this agreement, which breaks through the company's previous control over creating better-paying commission routes versus hourly routes while preserving the workers' pension and health insurance plans.

The improved pension contributions and benefits in the new contracts significantly enhance the long-term financial stability of the laundry workers and their families. The increased company pension contributions, along with the preservation of TeamCare benefits, provide workers with peace of mind regarding their retirement and healthcare. Additionally, the improved strike language and protections ensure that workers have a voice in their working conditions and can advocate for their rights without fear of retribution.

These improvements in pension contributions, secured pension, improved health insurance, and strike language work together to create a more stable financial future for the laundry workers and their families. By ensuring that workers have access to these benefits, they can better plan for retirement and weather unexpected financial challenges.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

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