Forest and Brook Pact, Arbitration Bring Benefits to Members (9/24/08)

The 315 RWDSU Local 1102 members working at Forest and Brook Corp. in Hauppauge, New York have ratified a new, five-year contract. The agreement raises wages and improves the health care plan, adding additional coverage for workers. Forest and Brook Corp. produces sandwiches and other prepared foods for 7-11 stores, lunch trucks, and other outlets.

The new contract comes on the heels of an arbitration victory earlier this year that ordered the company to pay 150 Forest and Brook employees a total of $80,000 in back pay. The money compensates employees for contract-mandated raises that the company failed to provide.

“We are really happy with the contract and the arbitration that got us our money back,” said six-year Forest and Brook employee Ronny Duran. “It’s great to know that the union has our back and that we are not on our own here. We stand together and the union stands with us.”

“The recent activity at Forest and Brook shows the importance of a union contract,” said Local 1102 President Frank Bail. “With a contract, management has to put its promises into writing, and can’t hide from their obligations to employees.”