(Rochester, New York) – Teamsters Local 118 representatives and Wegmans resumed discussions today to resolve an ongoing contract dispute, this time joined by a mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS.) Previous efforts to engage FMCS were thwarted by a 16-day government shutdown.

“We want to find a deal that Wegmans members believe is fair and reasonable, a deal that recognizes their commitment to this company over decades,” said Kevin McIntosh, Teamsters Local 118 business agent. “We believe finding common ground and getting an agreement is possible.”

Today’s dialogue follows the members’ rejection of a proposed settlement last week during meetings where members expressed deep concern over key contract language including retirement security. The company’s plan to withdraw from the New York State Pension Fund has been a contentious issue for a workforce with deep seniority and long-standing participation in the Teamster fund.

“We need to make adjustments to address concerns of members who are frustrated by a discriminatory wage scale, those who’ve worked spent 20 or more years serving this employer who want some reassurance they’ll someday be able to retire, and those nearing retirement who diverted pay increases into a fund so that they could be secure in the immediate future,” McIntosh said. “We believe we can get there.”

Teamsters Local 118, which represents more than 900 Wegmans warehouse workers, drivers and skilled tradesmen, has been in negotiations with the company since March.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

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