Governor Lamont Announces Agreement Enabling Connecticut Service Plaza Workers To Unionize, Operator Agrees To Pay $1.5 Million in Owed Wages

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration helped facilitate an agreement reached between Applegreen CT and SEIU Local 32BJ that will enable hundreds of workers at Connecticut's interstate service plazas the opportunity to unionize. The agreement covers workers at 23 service plazas on Interstate 95, Interstate 395, and Route 15 who are employed at franchises operated by Applegreen.

In addition, through an agreement facilitated by the Office of Attorney General William Tong and the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL), Project Service, the operator of the service plazas, has agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations that its food service subcontractors underpaid workers in violation of standard wage laws. The settlement requires that Project Service certify food service subcontractor operators pay standard wages going forward.

"In Connecticut, we stand up for workers and show our appreciation for the work they do to keep our state and our economy moving," Governor Lamont said. "Our service plaza workers work hard to provide for their families, contribute to their communities, and are always there for those traveling our highways. This agreement not only reflects our strong commitment to workers' rights, but also ensures their voice is heard while on the job and that they are fairly compensated for their work."

"This is a major step forward for service plaza workers who fought tirelessly for the working conditions and fair wages they deserve," Attorney General Tong said. "For years, Connecticut service plaza workers were unfairly underpaid in violation of state law. It took persistent advocacy, numerous warnings, and ultimately a state lawsuit to get us where we are today. Project Service must now pay $1.5 million to cover back wages and must comply with strong new reporting requirements to ensure its subcontractors are paying a full and fair standard wage. I will not hesitate to return to court if a single penny in a single paycheck is missing."

"This has been a very complicated, multi-year initiative with CTDOL wage agents and legal staff investing thousands of hours to help service plaza workers recover wages and get paid what they are owed," Connecticut Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo said. "We are deeply appreciative of Governor Lamont, Attorney General Tong, and his staff and thank them for their partnership to make sure Connecticut's workers are paid fairly."

"This victory is a testament to how far persistence, determination, and hard work can take you." Rochelle Palache, vice president and Connecticut district leader of SEIU Local 32BJ, said. "We've been in this battle for over half a decade, but our workers never gave up, and we never gave up on them. I look forward, at last, to the next chapter of this story. We will continue to fight for these workers' right to better wages, benefits, and a fair workplace so they can succeed, and their families can thrive."

"Having engaged in extensive discussions over recent years, Project Service has reached a multifaceted settlement with the State of Connecticut," Trevor Moore, CEO of Project Service, said. "This settlement clarifies the prospective application of standard wage law to food service workers employed at the Connecticut service plazas and the continuing obligations of food service subcontractors to comply with legal requirements applicable to the concession. The settlement also allows Project Service to continue to invest significantly in the Connecticut service plazas. The service plazas will enjoy enhanced facilities, additional truck parking, the introduction of exciting food and beverage brands and the roll out of new drive-thru systems. We are pleased to extend and enhance our continued partnership with the State of Connecticut and look forward to continuing to provide first class service to the travelling public."

Unionizing will require majority support from workers at these service plazas. If that is achieved, the workers and their employers will then meet to negotiate the terms of a union contract, including wages, benefits, scheduling flexibility, and safety measures.