February 27, 2017

Drivers in Waterford, Conn. Join Teamsters Local 493 for Improvements to Working Conditions

(UNCASVILLE, Conn.) – Workers with Airgas in Waterford, Conn., have voted overwhelmingly in favor of representation by Teamsters Local 493, seeking improvements to their working conditions.

The 14 fillers, loaders, warehouse workers, lab techs and drivers sought out Teamster representation and proceeded to an election within 30 days.

“It was fast, and the workers were determined to have Teamster representation, even though the company held one-on-one meetings with them,” said Thomas Schlink, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 493. “We are looking forward to organizing the rest of the Airgas facilities in Connecticut.”

“This was our only opportunity to feel like we were going to stand up for ourselves and that led to the process of calling our local union hall,” said Rob Price, who has worked at Airgas for six years. “We’ve seen the difference the union makes in other facilities.”

Airgas is a distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases. Airgas was acquired in 2016 by Air Liquide, a company headquartered in France.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information.