Teamsters Suspend Safeway Protests…For Now

Teamsters locals 730 and 639 have agreed to suspend their protests over the threatened closure of the Safeway Distribution Center in Upper Marlboro after State Senator Anthony Muse on Wednesday asked representatives of Safeway and Collington Services (which operates the center), along with the Teamsters, to participate in discussions aimed at preserving jobs at the center. The companies have until November 10 to respond to Muse’s request and the Teamsters agreed to suspend protests until then “as a sign of good faith,” reports Teamsters Local 730 president Ritchie Brooks. If the companies “do not provide an adequate response,” Brooks added, “protest activities will resume and expand.”