Teamsters Rally for Legislation to Ensure Workplace Safety in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Teamsters Rally for Workplace Safety Legislation

In an impassioned plea for enhanced worker protections, Teamsters gathered at Massachusetts' Beacon Hill, advocating for legislative action aimed at curbing workplace hazards. During a session with the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, union members stressed the urgency of passing bills H.2103/S.1307 and H.3995/S.1355, which aim to shield warehouse workers from excessive production quotas and extreme temperature exposure, respectively.

Tom Mari, who serves as the Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Joint Council 10 and President of Teamsters Local 25, voiced concerns regarding the unsafe labor conditions fostered by major corporations. “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,” Mari stated. He emphasized the state's responsibility to enact these protective measures for its labor force.

Sal Valente, a warehouse worker and member of Local 25, highlighted the indifference of many employers towards adverse weather conditions. “It doesn’t matter if it’s freezing cold or scorching hot, too many companies today just think it’s business as usual,” Valente remarked. He advocated for the bills, suggesting they could compel employers to prioritize worker safety, ultimately saving lives.

The Teamsters are actively encouraging states across the U.S. to adopt the Worker Protection Package, a collection of legislative measures designed to safeguard workers' rights, enhance union jobs, and promote workplace democracy. States like California, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Washington have already enacted legislation to protect warehouse employees from dangerous production targets. Moreover, California, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington have introduced standards to mitigate hazardous exposure to extreme temperatures.

Representing over 50,000 union members in New England, Teamsters Joint Council 10 remains a steadfast advocate for labor rights. More details can be found on their official website.