July 5, 2022 by Thomas G. Mari, President, Teamsters Local 25
Hingham DPW workers, members of Teamsters Local 25, pay up to $280 per week for health insurance and some start at minimum wage. At a time when workers are unionizing at a pace not seen for nearly a century and greedy corporate employers are finally starting to be held accountable for poor treatment of workers, it is disheartening to see how the Town of Hingham is treating our members who work for the Department of Public Works. The town’s “best and final” contract offer is insulting, and quite frankly, cruel. During a time of soaring consumer prices, these workers and their families are struggling to survive. These workers not only pay up to $280 per week for health insurance, that weekly payment does not include the cost of co-pays, deductibles, or prescriptions. The town of Hingham’s “best and final” offer to these dedicated workers takes away comp time, vacation carryover, and refuses to guarantee any bereavement leave. Hingham DPW workers are unsung heroes who never stopped working through the entire pandemic, continuing to enhance the community during the toughest times. While their families worried, they were working. Our members working for Hingham DPW are proud of the positive impact of their work. Hingham DPW workers are truly part of the fabric of this great community. These men and women, and their families, deserve much better. All they are asking for are fair wages and affordable health insurance to support their families. The poor treatment of these workers by the Town of Hingham comes at a time when extreme economic conditions are causing hardships and forcing painful decisions in households. The rising cost of gas, food and other essential items is putting the squeeze on everyone. In this environment, it is unconscionable that the town is increasing the pressure on these families by offering low wages, sky-high health insurance and taking away basic benefits and not offering guaranteed bereavement leave, which is a standard of decency that virtually every employer adheres to. It is sad to see the Town of Hingham does not believe these workers are worthy of the same decency.
Hingham DPW workers are proud public servants providing important services for the residents of Hingham. They deserve to be treated with respect. Teamsters Local 25 respectfully asks that you call Town Administrator Tom Mayo at 781-783-5036 or email him at Mayot@Hingham-MA.Gov and tell him that you support these essential DPW workers. Please tell him to do better by these working men and women and their families.
Shame on the Town of Hingham. As a resident, I am embarrassed that this unfair labor practice is taking place. Hingham’s claim to fame is how beautiful this town is and who are the ones who maintain it? The hardworking employees of the DPW. Is Hingham getting up on their backs? Disgraceful in every way. I shared these sentiments with Tom Mayo on June 11th with no response. Hingham do the right thing and pay our essential employees a fair wage and provide them with benefits that are so deserving of.
Sadly Tom Mayo cannot and will not address this until it reaches a “crises” level. Then, and only then after he has permission from Selectmen can he respond.