Hunts Point Produce Market

Inside the Hunts Point Produce Market After the Strike

"A weeklong strike by Local 202 in late January drew wide public attention and high-profile allies as essential produce workers sought a new contract amid the pandemic. In the month after the action, workers reported at least 26 terminations tied to employers inside the market, with some sources estimating the true number could be closer to 40; employees suspect retaliatory firings despite management explanations that layoffs were due to slowed business. The contract fight centers on wages and benefits — including a $19.27 minimum starting wage for covered hires versus a $16.75 first-year wage for employees hired after January 17, plus a 90-day at-will provision before workers receive roughly $1,200+ monthly health-and-welfare contributions and $4.96 per hour toward pension — a structure many workers say enables cycling through staff before benefits vest (colloquially called an “89-day special”). Tensions remain high on the floor, with strained relations between those who struck and those who crossed the line, widespread fear of management scrutiny, and legal hurdles to proving unlawful retaliation under the National Labor Relations Act; even so, many who participated say they do not regret standing up for better pay and conditions." - Alexandria Misch