2021 Hunts Point Produce Market strike

The Hunts Point Produce Market is a large market in the Bronx which, according to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, provides approximately a quarter of all of New York City's fresh produce,[1] while an article from WPIX claims that the market supplies over 60% of New York City's produce as of 2021.[3] The events leading up to the strike began after contract negotiations between the market and Teamsters Local 202 (the local union representing about 1,400 workers at the market) broke down. The union was demanding a $1 hourly wage increase plus an additional $0.60 increase in health care benefits. The market countered the union's offer with a $0.32 hourly wage increase,[4][5] which union representatives claimed was insufficient, citing additional risks workers had been facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] Over 200 union members had contracted the disease, with 6 members dying as a result.[3] Over the weekend of January 16–17, 2021, the union held a vote in favor of strike action.[1]

The strike commenced at 12:01 a.m. on January 17, 2021,[6] the first strike action taken by market workers in 35 years.[3][5] At the start of the strike, Bronx borough president Rubén Díaz Jr. expressed his disappointment that the union and market could not come to an agreement, but optimism that the dispute could be resolved quickly. However, he also warned that the strike could have a "ripple effect across the East Coast."[7]

On the morning of January 19, 6 strikers were arrested by New York City Police Department officers while picketing on charges of obstructing traffic. Clips from the event showed several dozen officers in riot gear approach about two dozen strikers, with the strikers chanting "hands up, don't shoot". Union officials denounced the police action, with local union president Daniel Kane saying, "The fact that they were arrested on Martin Luther King Day reminds us what side of history we are on".[8]

On January 20, several elected officials, including U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, attended a picket in support of the strikers.[3] This occurred during the inauguration of Joe Biden, with many publications asserting that Ocasio-Cortez "skipped" the event in order to show solidarity with the strikers.[9][4][10] Additional elected officials at the picket included New York State Assembly member Amanda Septimo and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.[4]

A settlement was reached on January 23, 2021, providing raises totaling $1.85/hour over three years, including an increase of 70 cents/hour in the first year. Stephen Katzman, co-president of the Hunts Point's cooperative board, stated the settlement will increase workers' wages and benefits over 10% during the course of their contract, with an average gain of 3.4% in each year of the agreement. Management will also made additional contributions of 40 cents/hour to healthcare benefits. About 97% of striking employees voted in favor of the deal, which raises the average base pay to $20.42/hour by the third year.[2][11]

• Leon, Luis Feliz (January 22, 2021). "The Essential Worker Strike Wave". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.