Posts tagged Boston
REI Co-op to close Boston location, a unionized store, in ‘late 2026’
October 14, 2025 // REI Co-op's only Boston store will be closing next year. A spokesperson for the company, which is headquartered near Seattle, confirmed the Boston location will be closing in "late 2026." Stores in Paramus, New Jersey, and in New York City's SoHo neighborhood will also be closing next year.
Judge tosses challenge by Boston-area plumbing concerns to state law requiring health-insurance coverage for workers on certain leaves
September 30, 2025 // In his ruling, US District Court Judge George O'Toole said the Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association was unable to show that any of its 60 members had actually been penalized under the law, or that any state action was immediate, which means they had no "standing," or legal reason to continue their suit, since federal law requires proof of actual or impending harm. The association charged the requirement violated their federal right to negotiate a contract with unions, because their collective bargaining agreement includes a section under which workers "bank funds to pay for health insurance if they take leave from work, based on the number of hours they work. Workers who exhaust their banked amount have to pick up the remaining costs of their health insurance, such as through COBRA, on their leaves.
Republic Services and Teamsters reach 5-year agreement in Boston
September 25, 2025 // After the Boston-area strike began, other Teamsters locals across the country either went on strike for their own contracts or halted work in solidarity. At the peak of the action in mid-July, more than 2,000 Republic Services workers represented by Teamsters were off the job. Since then, three other local chapters have reached agreements with Republic Services and returned to work. Teamsters Local 728, which represents 32 Republic Services employees in Cumming, Georgia, remains on strike over alleged unfair labor practices, according to a union official. Republic workers represented by the local in Columbus, Ohio, walked out last week in solidarity with members already on strike.
MASSACHUSETTES: Trash strike over: Teamsters, Republic Services agree to contract
September 22, 2025 // Teamsters Local 25 and Republic Services have agreed to a new contract, ending a strike that began back in July and impacted garbage and recycling pickup in numerous Massachusetts communities. Republic Services confirmed the five-year collective bargaining agreement in an email Friday morning. They thanked the community for their patience during the service interruption and apologized for the inconvenience it caused.
Encore Boston Harbor Unionization Continues as Cage Workers Join Teamsters
September 11, 2025 // Proponents of unions say collective bargaining leads to better pay and benefits for workers, and gives employees a stronger voice against management and ownership. Opponents claim unions harm businesses by raising costs, hindering productivity, limiting worker autonomy, and contributing to economic instability.
Fenway Park concessions workers warn of another possible strike
August 7, 2025 // As negotiations continue for a new collective bargaining agreement, the union said its key demands are citywide-standard wages, guardrails on automation, increased gratuity for premium workers who serve season ticket holders and special guests, and fair scheduling that respects workers' seniority. According to Local 26, Fenway concessions employees earn under $20 an hour, a wage that the union says is $10 less than Boston's standard for similar jobs.
Boston police say Aramark temp worker arrested after incident involving picketers at Fenway Park
July 29, 2025 // While officers were on scene, police say the victim then ran around officers and back in the crowd, at which time she allegedly spit on two Aramark picketers. This was observed by officers, according to police. That woman was placed under arrest. Her name has not been released and it's unclear what charges she is facing. "Like five officers tackled her," Hahn said.
Concession workers on strike for Dodgers-Red Sox series at Fenway
July 28, 2025 // Hundreds of Aramark workers marched along the street behind the team's right-field concourse before the series opener, carrying round picket signs decorated with red baseball stitching. A giant inflatable rat shared the sidewalk with a statue of Red Sox greats Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Dom DiMaggio and Johnny Pesky. Another group of picketers circled behind home plate after the first pitch as Local 26 of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island hotel, casino, airport and food services workers union went on strike at noon Friday. It posted on social media that it is asking for "living wages, guardrails on technology and R-E-S-P-E-C-T!" Editor's Picks Red Sox place Mayer on IL with sprained wrist 2d MLB trade deadline updates, rumors: Bubble teams could shape week ahead 4hESPN It's believed to be the first union walkout in the ballpark's 113-year-history.
Some LA County cities see disruption of trash pickup as workers honor picket line, strike in Boston
July 16, 2025 // Some workers in Southern California have been honoring the strike in an effort to put pressure on Republic Services. Although there is no contract dispute in Los Angeles County, lack of trash pickup has affected cities including Rosemead, Inglewood, Compton and Whittier and Santa Fe Springs. In Orange County, affected cities include Santa Ana and Anaheim. Customers received calls and text messages from Republic Services, saying the company was actively negotiating with union members in Boston amid an effort to resolve the labor dispute
Amazon asks corporate staff to relocate or quit without severance
June 26, 2025 // The company is encouraging employees to relocate to key hubs, such as Seattle, Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., sometimes requiring them to move across the country. The change comes as the company continues its embrace of artificial intelligence (AI). CEO Andy Jassy even acknowledged that its work with AI will shrink its workforce over time.