MILFORD – Bargaining committee members from Local 32BJ SEIU convened in town to begin negotiations with the main service plaza employer, Applegreen USA Travel Plazas Central Services, on the terms of an inaugural union contract for hundreds of workers across Connecticut’s 23 total food service plazas.
Wednesday’s negotiations come just a little over two months after the historic agreement reached between Applegreen and 32BJ SEIU, which granted workers at the plazas a fair path to unionization. Not long after, 32BJ announced in December that the workers had voted overwhelmingly to form a union, culminating the union’s six-year campaign.
“It’s not enough to provide workers with a paycheck and think that is enough for them to make a life. They need more than that – they deserve more than that,” said Rochelle Palache, vice president and Connecticut state director. “When the world shut down over half a decade ago (during Covid), our workers were still there. Whether it was boiling hot or freezing cold outside, our workers were still there. If you needed nourishment, food, or just conversation, our workers were always there and ready to serve you what you needed.”
She added that this opportunity to bargain is so long overdue for them, and that they are ready to go to bat and fight for the benefits, resources, and measures they need.
The committee is comprised of workers from various franchises across Connecticut’s service plazas on Route 15, I-95, and I-395. It is expected to be in negotiations until March.
Prior to unionizing, many workers brought forward complaints outlining a pattern of noncompliance from their employers at the plaza, including allegations of wages below the legal standard, unsafe working conditions, and failure to provide adequate benefits. Moving forward, Applegreen agreed to pay workers the standard wage in Connecticut. Workers have already begun to see this increase in their checks.
Under this negotiation cycle, the bargaining committee and 32BJ is advocating for a variety of proposals including improved benefits, flexible scheduling, and fair and just union jobs.
