More than 1,200 workers and drivers who carry out day-to-day operations at the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market in the Bronx could go on strike as early as Sunday afternoon if contract talks fail to resolve wage and health-care-contribution issues. The workers had been ready to strike on Friday morning, but the union leaders agreed to postpone taking action at the request of a federal mediator.
The Hunts Point market is the New York region’s largest supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables to wholesale and retail food businesses, including many independent groceries, produce stands and bodegas.
The workers, who are represented by a union, Teamsters Local 202, have asked for a $25-a-week raise in each of the next three years. The produce market, which is made up of independent produce merchants but run as a co-op, has countered with proposed wage increases of $16 the first year, $22 the second year and $22 the third year.
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