CUMBERLAND, MD - More than 50 workers that are part of the Teamsters union continue to strike in front of the Potomac Farms building in Cumberland.
Tom Fair, a driver and salesman with the company, says they'll be striking around the clock.
Tom Fair, a driver and salesman with the company, says they'll be striking around the clock.
"We're running shifts and we're getting some support from the community," Fair said.
Fair's usually on the road making runs to Martinsburg, West Virginia. Now he's holding signs that read "Unfair to Workers."
"We're only getting paid $60 to work on major holidays," Fair said. "You know everybody you talk to usually gets a full day's pay."
They claim workers in Johnstown, Pennsylvania are making more than them for the same job.
"Whenever I'm out there doing my best to do the job and someone else in Pennsylvania gets the same job and more benefits and more pay than me, it kind of hurts a little bit," Driver Charles Wilkins said.
The union says the company refuses to negotiate on their pension fund and back pay. They haven't had a new contract since 2011, and the last time they met at the bargaining table was June.
Fair says, "I don't know how things are going to turn out I mean hopefully it's great and we find a settlement everybody's happy but you know and sometimes it doesn't work out and I may be unemployed."
Office workers who are not in the union are now making deliveries, according to the striking workers.
WHAG reached out to Potomac Farms. They say they have no comment on the ongoing situation.
Fair's usually on the road making runs to Martinsburg, West Virginia. Now he's holding signs that read "Unfair to Workers."
"We're only getting paid $60 to work on major holidays," Fair said. "You know everybody you talk to usually gets a full day's pay."
They claim workers in Johnstown, Pennsylvania are making more than them for the same job.
"Whenever I'm out there doing my best to do the job and someone else in Pennsylvania gets the same job and more benefits and more pay than me, it kind of hurts a little bit," Driver Charles Wilkins said.
The union says the company refuses to negotiate on their pension fund and back pay. They haven't had a new contract since 2011, and the last time they met at the bargaining table was June.
Fair says, "I don't know how things are going to turn out I mean hopefully it's great and we find a settlement everybody's happy but you know and sometimes it doesn't work out and I may be unemployed."
Office workers who are not in the union are now making deliveries, according to the striking workers.
WHAG reached out to Potomac Farms. They say they have no comment on the ongoing situation.
Comments
Ah, although it's been sometime now since we have a better understanding of Cole's comment, it is necessary to let others in on it! When it was stated that many people would happily have these jobs, she meant her husband! That's right, Cole's scab, I mean husband crossed a union picket line yet, wasn't on the Galliker / Potomac Farms payroll before. Interesting! But even more, Cole's co-workers scab, I mean husband, same situation! Gentleman, where have you been, and Lou love you for allowing your wives to turn you into scabs.
Nicole G.
October 1, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Well, from one Nicole to another, although I am in total disagree with your opinion, I'm gonna give you some advice, find the tree, at the very least before you go barking! Follow Your companies policy and stick to No Comment!! And I happen to think the last commenter missed their calling, I truely enjoyed her tour last commented. And she can guide us threw another night of Fighting For Whats Right!
Nicole G.
September 16, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Well, from one Nicole to another, although I am
Nicole G.
September 16, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Well, from one Nicole to another, although I am
Nicole G.
September 16, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Another thing Cole L, they pay their deductible and co-payment just like you. Don't make it sound like they pay nothing out of pocket as they all do, each and every one of them. You want to talk money, scurry to Gallikers and ask, for example a worker who is paid hourly, don't fall over when in fact you find it is $4.00 to $5.00 more than Potomac Farms, and the Driver/ Salesmen are much less also. Do you think that is fair, h no!!!! You have some nerve and non Producer I totally disagree with you. There are times in your life when you need to take a stand, and fight for what you believe in. You are not that kind of person. These men are!!!!!! Got it,now!!!!!!!
Jonellia H.
September 16, 2012 at 8:48 am
Sure Cole L has the right to an opinion. No homework was done from this person. You say you are a Producer,lol. You are no more a Producer than I am a Tour Guide. I shall take you on a little tour. Do you or do you not also get the same health benefits, also paid by the company as the working men do? You made it sound like it was such a crime, how dare you! Yes, you do indeed! But, you failed to mention that, didn't you? This strike is not about you, understand, it is about very hard working,dedicated men who all do all of their jobs and do them very well. Don't give me the unemployment sob story especially when Potomac Farms has had trouble hiring anyone. It is extremely hard work, they may hire one here or there but in the long run they last sometimes a day, awhile, quit or never even bother to show up to begin with. People really want jobs, Potomac Farms has them, you don't see them lining up because the work is to dang hard, and you know it is. Could you do any of the jobs the men do, how about the driver/salesmen? I doubt it. They deserve to stay in the Teamsters Pension fund, they deserve equal holiday pay, they deserve retroactive-back pay from Feb. 28,2011 when in fact this contract expired. IMO, they also deserve higher wages,the same exact wages as Gallikers which they are so far behind in, that isn't even funny. They all bust their rearends to work, in whatever department they work in. It is a fact that Potomac Farms serves many a customer and has multi million dollar accounts. So tell me why the unfair treatment? It is only fair that Potomac Farms, a division of Gallikers, recieve the same exact pay and benefits the Gallikers employees enjoy so much. Gallikers drug this out, all of these months, can you count them, I can. 18 long, exhausting months, going on 18 1/2 months. The next time you come on here get your facts straight Producer which you are not, what you are is a very misinformed person. This is not about you at all.Perhaps, your rubber glove is a little to tight, I hi ope it doesn't snap you where the sun doesn't shine. Potomac Farms strikers have received so much support it is overwhelming and we thank all who are interested in this heartwrenching story of greed and nonequality. EQUAL PAY, STAY IN THE TEAMSTERS FOR EQUAL WORK!!!!!!! Please people, please continue to show your support to these guys who are on the picket line 24/7. These men had to do what they had to do, pllease contiune your support. I thank you. They certainly thank you very much from the bottom of their hearts and so do their families. God Bless You and May God Bless these striking men.
Jonellia H.
September 16, 2012 at 8:26 am
Jonellia H.
September 16, 2012 at 7:35 am
As you have the right to your opinion Cole, do your homework before you publicize it! Potomac Farms has been trying to hire for permanent jobs that are available for at least two years, even stooping to a local agency to supply them these so called men/women who would love these jobs.I've done my homework and 1/2 % of public hiring and agency hiring has actually stuck with the job. It is unfortunate Cole, but unemployed or not, interested in this life eating job, is just not there. Facts lay in the companies, Cumberland plant, hire status in the last three years.
Nicole G.
September 15, 2012 at 12:37 pm
There are a lot of people who are unemployed right now that would love to have any job. Its no that easy to find them these days. With the unemployment rate being as high as it is right now. I find it hard to agree with this. As being a producer for Galliker/Potomac Farms and talking with Haulers and Workers I know that these guys receive full Health benefits and do not pay a cent out of pocket either. There are not too many places around here that do that. And there pay is better too then most. There are a lot of people out there that would love to have a job like this. Sometimes people just need to be thankful for what they do have.
Cole L.
September 14, 2012 at 7:40 pm
