(BOSTON) – In an effort to resume dialogue immediately with Dunkin’ Donuts DCP and reach a collective bargaining agreement, Teamsters Local 25 President Sean O’Brien has called CEO Kevin Bruce to discuss how the two sides could reach a resolution.  O’Brien’s call was a direct response to many strong comments Bruce has made in a distributed press release.

In Dunkin’ Donuts’ release, Bruce was quoted as saying: “Teamsters Local 25 and their negotiators should return to the table” and claimed the company “remained committed to the bargaining process.”  Bruce went even further, adding: “We call upon Teamsters Local 25 to return to the bargaining table to resolve differences through dialogue, not disruption.”

Teamsters Local 25 Representatives say it is important to note that Bruce has not attended a single one of the 24 negotiation sessions in the 11 months of bargaining between the Union and the company.

However, in an effort to “resolve differences through dialogue,” O’Brien called Bruce.

What was his response?

“I prefer not to have these discussions,” Bruce stated and abruptly hung up the phone.

“The leadership of Dunkin’ Donuts DCP should practice what they preach,” said O’Brien following his conversation with Bruce

“We made every effort to resume talks through Dunkin’ Donuts CEO Kevin Bruce, and consistent with the theme of past negotiations, he and his company are apparently not willing to resume talks.  I want to be clear – our team is ready to roll-up our sleeves and negotiate a contract in the best interests of our members and their families.  We have come too far in this process to turn back.  Many of the company’s proposals would not protect, preserve, and improve working conditions,” O’Brien said.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million men and women, most of who drink coffee, in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Dunkin’ Donuts Continues Attack On Working Families With Anti-Union Demands/Teamsters Local 25 To Organize Regional & National Boycotts

(BOSTON) – Despite their best efforts, negotiators from Teamsters Local 25 in Boston have been unable to make any progress toward resolving any of the outstanding issues with Dunkin’ Donuts during the federally mediated bargaining session held on July 16th.

During the session at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service offices in Boston, the company continued to push an agenda that could only be interpreted as a blatant effort to bust the Union, Teamsters Representatives said. 

“It’s obvious to all of us that after twenty-four negotiating sessions lasting over eleven months,  Dunkin’ Donuts Northeast DCP is committed to breaking the Union,” said Teamsters Local 25 President Sean O’Brien.

“Instead of wasting the franchisees’ money by hiring Union-busting law firms and trying to negotiate decreases in current benefits, the company should be using their resources to improve the employees’ Health Care, wages and working conditions.  What amazes me is that even after all of our sessions the company still wants to take away benefits the employees currently enjoy,” said O’Brien - noting the company was still insisting on an open shop contract even after the Union offered to leave the issue subject to a secret ballot vote by the employees. 

“After the company’s union-busting lawyer rejected the offer without bothering to confer with his client, it became even more obvious to me that this company never wanted a collective bargaining agreement.  I feel sorry for the twenty-four-hundred store owners who are not being properly represented at the bargaining table because it’s their businesses that will be severely impacted by this Labor Dispute,” O’Brien said. 

“As far as we’re concerned, the Teamsters have done everything to reach an agreement with the company.  Their response is to offer provisions they know we can’t agree to and to insist on taking away benefits the employees now have.  Therefore, we have decided that future negotiations would be a waste of time.  Instead, our efforts will be to organize both regional and national boycotts of Dunkin’ Donuts stores and to do everything possible, within the law, to encourage Dunkin’ Donuts Northeast DCP to come to the bargaining table with an open mind on issues important to the employees and the Union,” O’Brien said.

It now appears likely that the work stoppage, boycott and Labor Dispute are imminent and will commence in the near future.