Workers at an XPO Logistics warehouse in North Haven started picketing early Thursday morning, claiming the company is engaging in unfair labor practices.
About 102 people work at the North Haven facility. Some two dozen employees were out demonstrating at the business’ entrance on North Frontage Road Thursday morning, holding signs and chanting slogans such as “XPO — Ball Busters.”
“We will be here all day and out fighting until the workers are treated fairly,” said Ashley Latimer, a communications specialist with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 443. “[XPO] is engaging in anti-union practices, and we will not stand for it. The workers have a legal right to be out here organizing.”
Latimer claimed workers have been retaliated against for seeking to join the Teamsters union. She alleged the retaliation has come in the form of changed hours and wrongful terminations, for example. According to Latimer, some employees who have tried to unionize have been offered rewards such as better positions if they stop.
“These workers want to be in the Teamsters union, but the company is using tactics to try to prevent it,” Latimer said. “A lot of it is instilling fear that if they do try to organize, they could lose their jobs. We are out here as a union supporting these workers who have a right to do this.”
XPO Logistics is a global company with corporate offices in Greenwich. It provides transportation and logistics services, and ships 7 billion units of inventory daily, according to its website. It employs 100,000 people in 32 countries.
While the company provides services to various customers, including General Motors, the North Haven facility’s exclusive customer is Sikorsky Aircraft.
John Tullock, one of the local strikers, said in a statement provided by the Teamsters, “We will continue to stand up to XPO until our concerns are addressed and company executives stop abusing our rights.”
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, visited the North Haven picket line Thursday. “Do not let these naysayers get in your way and deter you from what your tasks are,” DeLauro said. “You have a right to be part of the decisions that affect your life and the lives of your families. You have the right to affordable health care, the right to retirement security, and most of all, the right to get respect for what you do.”
The North Haven picket line was among multiple demonstrations across the country. According to a union press release, XPO workers want improved working conditions and business practices. Long hours, poor wages, misclassification as independent contractors, delayed paychecks and withheld pension payments are among the alleged practices targeted by the protests.
The company on Thursday denied any allegations of unfair labor practices.
“XPO has a strict no-retaliation policy,” the company said in a statement. “We foster a culture in which people feel free to speak up. We encourage our employees to voice concerns — including anonymously — without any fear of reprisal and to stand up for what is right. When an employee raises a concern, we immediately investigate and take prompt remedial action where warranted.”
The company also indicated that its operations are running without interruption.
“The (North Haven) facility is operating as normal,” the company added. “We respect the Teamsters’ right to demonstrate. However, our U.S. employees have overwhelmingly rejected unions.”
The company indicated it is proud of the work being done in North Haven.
“We’ve increased wages on average 30 percent over the last two years, promoted 10 of our colleagues to supervisory or management positions and increased the team by 20 percent since 2018,” the statement said.
