HARTFORD — A wide majority of interstate service plaza employees in the state have voted to form a union one month after a historic agreement between 32BJ SEIU and Applegreen USA Travel Plazas Central Services LLC.
The announcement follows the final tally of signed union cards delivered by the workers to the union, with hundreds of workers voting to unionize service plazas franchisees along busy highway routes I-95, I-395, and Route 15, for the first time in Connecticut’s history.
The service workers and their employers are expected to meet during January to negotiate the terms of a union contract, including benefits, scheduling flexibility, and safety measures, to name a few issues.
This decision to form a union is a watershed moment for the union and these workers, who began working together to improve working conditions and the right to collectively bargain six years ago.
“Words cannot begin to express the gratitude and pride we feel for these workers for sticking alongside us during this years-long fight, and for taking back their power with this decision to unionize,” said Rochelle Palache, vice president and state director, 32BJ SEIU. “All workers are deserving of a more just and fairer workplace, and our workers will get the opportunity to advocate for that on their own terms. We look forward to continuing to stand by them every step of the way.”
The agreement that was reached by 32BJ and Applegreen in November required the service plaza employer to remain neutral in the unionization campaign, enabling workers to engage in a simple card-check process to minimize fear of reprisals. It is the first agreement of its kind to grant workers a fair process to unionize in the fast-food industry within Connecticut and covers 23 service plazas on the three interstate highways, many of which are located in Fairfield County.
Additionally, the agreement also ensures that moving forward, Applegreen will pay the standard wage in Connecticut, which will result in higher pay for workers.
