Obama to Act on Labor Rules, Create Middle Class Task Force

By Roger Runningen

Jan. 30 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama today will issue executive orders to reinforce the rights of organized labor, and he’ll establish a task force led by Vice President Joe Biden to raise middle-class living standards.

Obama will overturn rules of former President George W. Bush to reestablish rights to form a labor union or engage in collective bargaining, said Jill Cashen, a spokeswoman for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.

“It tells workers at federal contractors that the right to organize will be protected and that lawbreaking on the part of their employer will not be tolerated,” Cashen said.

Obama is appointing Biden to head the task force of Cabinet officials, business, labor and advocacy groups to ensure that policies and legislation help increase the living standards of the middle class, Biden’s office said in a statement

“Over the last 100 years the middle class was built on the back of organized labor,” Biden said in a CNBC interview yesterday. “In bad economic times they’re hurting very, very badly.”

Biden said the task force will focus on policies on everything from “retirement savings to college education to compatible work and raising your children.”

A government report today showed that the economy contracted at a 3.8 percent annual pace in the final three months of last year, the most since 1982. Retailers and manufacturers, from Starbucks Corp. to Boeing Co., have slashed payrolls and cut production. Companies cut 524,000 workers in December, bringing total job cuts for last year to almost 2.6 million.

Obama’s executive orders are aimed at reversing what labor critics regard as anti-union steps of the Bush administration.

To contact the reporter on this story: Roger Runningen in Washington at rrunningen@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: January 30, 2009 09:18 EST

Union Membership up in 2008, Thursday Morning One Liners...

The United Food & Commercial Workers Union here yesterday called for “immediate confirmation” of President Obama’s choice for secretary of labor, Hilda Solis.

Report: Union Membership up Sharply in 2008.

The Ford Motor company said Thursday that it lost $14.6 billion last year, making 2008 its worst year in history as a result of the biggest sales slump in decades, but will not ask for relief.

The Astroland rocket has been donated to the city. [Crains]

Liquor stores are the new victim to box stores with David Patterson's proposal to sell liquor at stores like Whole Foods & Wal-Mart. [Crains]

Starbucks to close more stores, cut jobs.

Shea Stadium is pretty much demolished.

The Fresh Market, the trendy southern grocer, is opening their first store in Connecticut.

Without a single republican vote, President Obama won House approval on Wednesday for an $819 billion economic recovery plan as Congressional Democrats sought to temper their own differences over the enormous package of tax cuts and spending.

Target reduces workforce by 9%.

The Queens Tribune looks at upcoming local elections.


From the WFP

NY Times (Gail Collins): Lilly's Big Day

President Obama is scheduled to sign the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law today. (This is, technically, his second bill-signing, not the first. But you cannot possibly expect us to make a fuss about legislation fixing the salary of the secretary of the interior.) "I'm so excited I can hardly stand it," Ledbetter said recently after the bill passed the Senate. Obama told her story over and over when he campaigned for president: How Ledbetter, now 70, spent years working as a plant supervisor at a tire factory in Alabama. How, when she neared retirement, someone slipped her a pay schedule that showed her male colleagues were making much more money than she was. A jury found her employer, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, to be really, really guilty of pay discrimination. But the Supreme Court, in a 5-to-4 decision led by the Bush appointees, threw out Ledbetter's case, ruling that she should have filed her suit within 180 days of the first time Goodyear paid her less than her peers.

Local 1500 joins in fight to monitor labor laws...

Image via CrunchBaseStreet-Level Groups Enlisted to Report Labor Violations

By SEWELL CHAN and COLIN MOYNIHAN

To crack down on businesses that pay less than the minimum wage, fail to pay overtime or to pay wages altogether, steal tips or commit other labor violations, the New York State Department of Labor is starting an experimental program that will rely on community organizations to monitor compliance with labor laws.

In an announcement, the state labor commissioner, M. Patricia Smith, called the program, the New York Wage Watch, a “one-of-a-kind grassroots tool in the fight against illegal labor practices.”

The six-month pilot will begin with six participants: the Chinese Staff and Workers’ Association, which will focus on Chinatown, Flushing and parts of Long Island; Make the Road New York, which will focus on Bushwick; the Workplace Project, based on Long Island; the United Food and Commercial Workers union, which will look at high-end supermarkets; the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which will focus on retail stores in Lower Manhattan, Bushwick, the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx and parts of Queens; and the Centro del Inmigrante, based on Staten Island.

The six groups will conduct know-your-rights training, providing employers with information about compliance and distributing brochures to workers in supermarkets, laundromats, nail salons, day-labor sites and other work areas. They will have a designated contact in the Labor Department’s Division of Labor Standards, which enforces wage and hour laws, to whom they can refer violations or questions.

The department is to provide training and materials to the groups starting on Feb. 7.

After the first experiment in New York City and on Long Island, the Labor Department will seek additional groups for the program. The groups must be nongovernmental and nonprofit, and can include religious organizations, student groups, labor unions, business associations or neighborhood groups.

Ms. Smith said the program was loosely based on the Neighborhood Watch programs that began in Queens in the 1960s. In December 2007, she said, the Labor Department investigated a commercial strip in Bushwick. Two of the six groups now taking part in the pilot project — Make the Road New York and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union — maintained a presence in the Bushwick area, staying in touch with workers and employers, and the number of labor-law violations went down, Ms. Smith said.

The Labor Department has documented numerous labor-law violations at a variety of workplaces in recent years, from restaurants and car washes to sites like the Saratoga Race Course and the Erie County Fair.

Amy Carroll, a supervising lawyer at Make the Road New York, said, “The Department of Labor can’t be in every nook and cranny of the city and the state all the time. We want employers to know there are costs for violating the law. They can’t get away with it.”

Gourmet Industry not seeing economic woes, Port Jefferson Stop & Shop to close Friday, Wednesday news...

Image via Wikipedia

The Gourmet Industry not seeing economic woes...

Wal-Mart aims at responding to critics.

But here's why efficient light bulbs fail to thrive...

West Virginia Kroger employees approve a new contract.

The Port Jefferson Station Stop & Shop, longtime anchor store at the Port Plaza, closed its doors for the last time Friday at 4 pm. In its place, an Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace is expected to open by the beginning of next year, according to a press release from Edens & Avant, which owns the 20-store shopping center.

The controversial new grocery store in Manhattan originally called Trader John's will be rechristened Grocer John's, according to terms of a settlement between its owner, Gristedes Foods, and Trader Joe's, the nearby specialty store that sued it for trademark infringement.
Read more of this story

The call for President Obama to influence Americans' food choices is growing louder.
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Andy Stern, president of the SEIU, said he was appointing two trustees to run a dissident local that represents 150,000 health care workers in California.

Politics

MSNBC: Kennedys Want Revenge: Report

Gillibrand on Immigration.

Poll shows NY is split over Gillibrand.

Rush Limbaugh on Obama: "I hope he fails."

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• Wage violations in NYC Supermarkets, Wal-Mart finally unionizes in Canada (again), Buying Sustainable fish at your grocery store... (ufcwblog.blogspot.com)

Whole Foods case thrown out, NYC Horse Carriage drivers have joined the Teamsters, Wal-Mart now owns Chilean supermarket industry, Monday Morning...

Image via Wikipedia
The Fresh Market is laying off some workers.

A 20 year family run bodega in the Bronx is closing.

An 11-member union at an ExxonMobil gas station in Montville signed a one-year contract Friday with the company as the state-owned property is being marketed for sale.

Whole Foods' lawsuit against the FTC was thrown out of court on Friday.

Wal-Mart now owns over 58% of the Chilean supermarket industry.

NYC horse carriage drives have joined the Teamsters.

Jesse Olson, a former union vice president who played a major role in building and expanding the nation’s largest health care workers’ local, 1199 S.E.I.U. United Healthcare Workers East in New York City, died on Monday in Monroe Township, N.J. He was 84.

Politics
Stuart Applebaum released a statement regarding the Gillibrand appointment.

Gillibrand also pledged to find a common ground on gun issues.

Her goal is to "fill Hillary Clinton's shoes."

Peter King wants Patterson to justify his selection,

A Daily News probe has discovered that King funneled money for man hole covers that Con-Ed didn't want.

Governor Patterson's political career is on life support.

$3.4 Billion to NYC?

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• NY Senate Pick Offers to Find 'Common Ground'
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Respnose to King Kullen closing store in Staten Island

Image via WikipediaUnion Responds to Closing of Staten Island King Kullen Supermarket

Quick and Aggressive First Steps Taken to Assist Workers.

QUEENS VILLAGE, NY (01/22/2009; 1253)-- United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 is responding as quickly and aggressively as possible in response to the news that the King Kullen Supermarket located at 2660 Hylan Blvd. in the New Dorp section Staten Island will be closing in late February of this year, according to Local Union President Bruce W. Both.

"We are extremely concerned about our members who work in that store and will do everything within our power to minimize the effect this store closing has on them and their families," Both concluded. "Furthermore, this is another example of why New York City quickly must move on economic reforms to encourage the preservation and development of Supermarkets. This is a crisis that strikes at the heart of the economic viability of all communities," Both concluded.

President Both outlined the Unions first responses to the store closing announcement:

• Notifying King Kullen of its legal obligations under both Federal and State WARN Acts, the law covering the closing of such facilities.
• Enforcement of the Unions Collective Bargaining Agreement with regard to seniority.
• Contacting other Supermarket operators who may be interested in the soon to be vacant location
• Outreach to Local elected leaders at the City and State level for assistance
• Possible Placement of members within other Unionized Supermarkets.

In addition to these efforts, President Both called on King Kullen management to rethink its decision to close the store. "Just over one year ago this store was a Pathmark Supermarket. Many of the workers there today are Pathmark holdovers and have been in the industry for over 20 years," Both commented. "We urge the company to reconsider its decision and continue to fulfill its commitment to making the Hylan Boulevard store the success we all know it can be, "concluded Both.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, based out of Queens Village, represents over 23,000 grocery workers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Members of Local 1500 are employed by Pathmark, King Kullen, Stop and Shop, Gristedes, Fairway, D'Agostino, Key Food and Shop Rite, Dairy Barn.

King Kullen to close in Staten Island, Friday news...

Image via WikipediaHere's Obama on the Employee Free Choice Act.

King Kullen in New Dorp, Staten Island to shut doors next month.

Supermarket News covers the story.

"We are extremely concerned about our members who work in that store and will do everything within our power to minimize the effect this store closing has on them and their families," said Bruce Both, president of Local 1500.

Revenue at some Long Island City establishments is down as much as 70 percent, in large part due to recent weekend No. 7 line service interruptions and the closure of nearby Borden Avenue Bridge for repairs, according to several business owners interviewed by the Queens Chronicle this week.

Canada Wal-Mart asks High Court to dismiss store closure suit.

Stop & Shop Supermarket responds to the peanut butter recall.

Another New Jersey Wal-Mart opens [AC].

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. here said yesterday it would sell a line of "stylish, reusable" lunch bags at all its banners: A&P, The Food Emporium, Pathmark, SuperFresh and Waldbaum's.

Long Island lost 21,600 private-sector jobs in the 12-month period ended in December, compared with a year ago, marking the weakest local job market in 16 years, according to data released yesterday by the New York State Labor Department.


Politics

Patterson picks Gillibrand for Senate.

Rep Carolyn McCarthy knocks Patterson's selection.

Suozzi's future is in Albany.

Court to rule on Wal-Mart's unionized store closures, Peanut Butter recall, Politics politics politics...

Canada Wal-Mart workers vs Wal-Mart in the Supreme Court begins today.

Top Court to rule on Wal-Mart store closure today...

In response to the news that Salmonella was found in a package of Austin Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter, manufacturer Kellogg Co. in Michigan has activated its sales force of several thousand employees, and engaged the help of a third-party retrieval company to rid retailers’ shelves of recalled Kellogg’s products.
Read more of this story

Politics

A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Hillary Rodham Clinton was not confirmed as secretary of state Tuesday because of a single senator's objection.

While Gov. David Paterson said Tuesday he had reached a decision on whom to appoint to Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat and will make the announcement by Saturday.

The Daily News has much more on his pondering.

Mayoral hopeful Bill Thompson returned a $500 donation to real-estate scam artist and Brooklyn developer Isaac Toussie, who was pardoned and then quickly unpardoned by then-President George Bush, campaign records revealed yesterday.

While Anthony Weiner though received $9,900 and has yet to return it.

Liquor store owners uniting against plan to let grocery stores sell wine.

Coney Island rezone settled, Key Food at Bruckner Blvd will remain open, Tuesday Morning One liners...

Image via WikipediaConey Island land review process begins today.

The Bloomberg Administration will officially unveil its long-awaited plans to rezone Coney Island on Tuesday.

Key Food at Bruckner Blvd. will remain open,

"We believe that the combination of our effort and the change in the economy has led to a situation where there are not immediate efforts to close the store," said Patrick Purcell, spokesman for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500, which represents 100 employees at the store. "We're thrilled with what's happening."

More and more retailers are seeking relief in NYC.

Citizens and the UFCW rallied against Wal-Mart last week in New Jersey.

Regional manager of Wal-Mart said "retailers must adapt"

No Trader John's? No Problem, John Catsimatidis is calling his new outlet Grocer John's and he'd like you to know it represents "the new wave of marketing in New York."

He's also hinting at a serious Mayoral run.

Controversy is emerging as the community is rallying around a fired Whole Foods worker who stopped a shoplifter this past weekend in Michigan.

"The fact that I worked at the store at (the time of the robbery) is coincidental. If I had went over to the book store on my break and they were being ripped off, I would have helped them." - fired worker John Schultz

The Norwalk citizen writes on Stop & Shop's new technology.

Ahold reports Q4 sales up.

Whole Foods Market here on Friday said it has resubmitted its case against the Federal Trade Commission in a Washington, D.C., appeals court, saying the move would expedite a resolution in the ongoing dispute over its acquisition of Wild Oats Markets.
Read more of this story

Wal-Mart Canada here has announced the opening of its first environmental demonstration store in Burlington, Ontario, which features an application of geothermal technology and energy-conserving lighting innovations, among many other sustainability features.
Read more of this story


Politics
Hillary Clinton to supporters: "You'll always be on my side."

Barrack Obama wants Caroline Kennedy for the vacant Senate seat.

Steve Israel says he won't run in the primary if he is not appointed to the seat.

Congressman Anthony Weiner accused Mayor Bloomberg on Sunday of breaking campaign finance rules by failing to disclose campaign expenses.

13 CANDIDATES FOR two vacant City Council seats in Queens are revving up their campaigns, pushing for donations and starting to spend cash as the Feb. 24 special election draws near.

Trader John's is no more, Wal-Mart pays more fines....

Image via WikipediaThe South Hampton Press writes on grocery stores permitted to sell wine.

Wal-Mart's paying Minnesota $14 Million.

Trader John's is no more, after a court ruling yesterday, here's a photo of them covering the sign up.

More @ city life: Another defeat for Castamatidis. Lots of blogs are having fun with this story.


Wal-Mart, which used to enjoy good business despite the economic slowdown, is experiencing the bite of the ongoing recession on its sales, said outgoing Wal-Mart chief executive officer H. Lee Scott.

Lee Scott regrets not addressing his critics.


Wal-Mart & the American Labor Movement

• Can Labor Revive the American Dream? [The Nation]
  This simple amendment to federal labor law, which would, among other things, allow workers to unionize when a majority sign cards rather than requiring a bruising election, has galvanized the business community in a way even the $700 billion bailout couldn't. "I get the sense that this is more important to them than even taxes or regulation," says the AFL-CIO's director of government affairs, Bill Samuels. "This is about power. And the business community is not going to give up power willingly." Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott said as much to a meeting with analysts in October. "We like driving the car," he told them, "and we're not going to give the steering wheel to anybody but us."
  

• Passage of US Employee Free Choice Act is Key to Global Organising Drive [UNI Global Union (Switzerland)]
  Jennings on Tuesday chaired a meeting with leaders of US unions affiliated to both the AFL-CIO and the Change to Win federation, who are working together to get the legislation passed. UNI President and UFCW President Joe Hansen and AFL-CIO President John Sweeney spoke at the opening of the meeting, which also included representatives from the International Trade Union Confederation and trade union centres from around the world.

The Fresh Market to open first Connecticut store in Novermber.

Politics

Freshman State Sen. Brian X. Foley has landed a plum committee chairmanship as Democrats assume control of the Senate for the first time in 43 years

New Yorkers want Cuomo over Kennedy.

Here's more on Suozzi and seat.

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• Unions in the American Economy-Becker
• Wal-Mart Settles 63 Lawsuits Over Wages

Trader John's to be settled today, Aldi, Aldi, Aldi, Wednesday Morning One-Liners..

Image by Getty Images via Daylife
NY District Court is planning on hearing the Trader Joe's vs Trader John's case today.

Whole Foods Market, Inc., yesterday asked competitors in 29 markets to provide pricing and other confidential information to help it defend its merger with Wild Oats against a challenge from the Federal Trade Commission, according to a published report.

Wal-Mart's Executive VP of the Grocery Division was appointed to the Food Marketing Institute board of directors.

Wal-Mart was named the top retail brand.

Top Chef donates $100,000 to NY City Harvest.

A Syracuse paper tries to prepare NYC on the soon to be opening Aldi.

Here's more chains offering free antibiotics.

U.S. retail sales fell a sixth consecutive time in December, making a deep, broad drop that indicated worried consumers were adding to savings instead of spending at the height of the holiday season.

Politics

Patterson met with Cuomo yesterday on the vacant seat.

Democrats urged Patterson to choose someone with neither the name Caroline or Kennedy.

Obama's grandmother wants to bring him a traditional spear and shield as house warming gifts.

A federal judge rejected the notion to overturn term limit extension.

New York has beaten back a legal challenge to Gov. Paterson's "Amazon tax."A decision yesterday by Manhattan state Supreme Court Justice Eileen Bransten clears the way for Albany to force out-of-state online companies to collect an estimated $50 million a year in sales tax from New York shoppers. http://www.nypost.com/seven/01142009/news/regionalnews/court_oks_states_amazon_tax_150054.htm

Lee Scott said what?, Another tax loophole closes for Wal-Mart, FTC tells Whole Foods to rebrand Wild Oats, Trader John's

Image via WikipediaYesterday Lee Scott addressed the National Retail Federation in New York City, urging cooperation to solve the nations health care crisis.

Lee Scott, the outgoing chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores, asked business leaders to embrace such initiatives as universal health care, renewable energy and immigration reform during a presentation to attendees at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show here yesterday.

He [Lee Scott], also sees a new consumer mindset.

Local retailers throughout China are teaming up to battle Wal-Mart.

Another Wal-Mart Tax loophole may come to an end, this time in West Virginia.

The UFCW is gearing up for their Wal-Mart battle in Canada.

More info on Wal-Mart's new private label line "the Wal-Mart Great Value line"

And if that's not enough Wal-Mart news, they're also on the verge of setting up shop in Russia.

The FTC asks Whole Foods to re-brand Wild Oats.

Whole Foods is also putting off another store, this time in New Hampshire.

Wegman's CEO recognized for 'business ethics'

AdAge brings up a great point regarding the Trader Joe's, Trader John's lawsuit. "But in New York, no one's afraid to blatantly copy and/or steal a good idea -- hence Ray's Original Pizza, Ray's Pizza, Famous Ray's Original Pizza, Original Famous Ray's Pizza, New York's Rayriginal's Fizza, etc"

Progressive Grocer picked up the story also.

Food Marketing Institute’s new president and chief executive officer said the association is working diligently on a range of issues with Congress and the incoming Obama administration.

Politics

Caroline Kennedy still has a shot at the Senate seat says Governor Patterson.

Tom Suozzi met with Patterson on the Senate seat.

Anthony Weiner blames Mayor Bloomberg for New York City's growing problems, specifically the "boom-and-bust planning"

Democrats, first time in control of the State Senate since 1965 made some moves yesterday.

Elsewhere

A battle is raging on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where CVS is wooing cash-strapped shoppers with house-brand anti-wrinkle cream that’s as much as 30 percent cheaper than L’Oreal SA’s Advanced Revitalift.

Buying online to avoid sales taxes could end soon.

Zoo's and Aquariums may face the ax here.

Do the Rockerfeller Drug laws need reform?

Canada Justices to hear Wal-Mart v.s. UFCW, Trader John's update, Monday Morning Read.

Image by Getty Images via DaylifePenn Traffic Co., Syracuse, said Friday that it would close eight stores early next month as part of a strategy to invest behind its best-performing assets. The company said it would work with union representatives and employees to find the "best solution" for the affected workers.

The recession finally hits Wal-Mart.

Lee Scott thinks retailers specifically can help the plummeting economy.

Trader Joe's is suing Gristedes....Here's more at Bloomberg News.

In Minnesota, unionization gets a renewed push.

Canada Justices to hear WalMart vs UFCW.

Up to four stores at Atlas Park may close.


Politics

With Caroline Kennedy stumbling in her debut performance as Sen. Clinton's replacement-in-waiting, some are asking why Gov. David Patterson wouldn't pick New York's attorney general, Andrew Cuomo for Clinton's seat after she is named secretary of state.

Meanwhile Patterson & Kennedy meet to discuss the Senate.

A Queens assemblyman has proposed a four-day workweek for some state employees to help offset the $15 billion budget deficit faced by New York in 2009.

Just as the recession is throwing people out of work at an alarming rate, the unemployment insurance system in New York and many other states will start cutting off benefits this week for thousands of people who have been unable to find jobs since early last year.

Anthony Weiner, trying to fight his way out of Mayor Bloomberg's shadow.

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• PPP Poll: Kennedy's Standing Drops in New York
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Ron Burkle buys 7% of Whole Foods, Stop and Shop deploys 50 "Scan it" units, Wal-Mart pays another fine, and Friday Morning One Liners...

Image by tattoodjj via FlickrStop and Shop deploys 'Scan it!' in 50 stores....More from Supermarket News.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, said fourth-quarter profit will miss its forecast and predicted January revenue may be little changed as customers curb spending globally.

Greater Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. reported a fiscal third-quarter loss of $13.6 million, or $1.61 a share.

Billionaire Ronald Burkle bought 7% of Whole Foods. Here's more from Progressive Grocer.

Stock in Whole Foods Market here was up more than 22% Thursday after funds associated with Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Cos. revealed they had acquired 7% of the retailer on the open market.
Read more of this story

Stuart Applebaum released a statement in response to a Thursday's announcement by Macy's Inc. that it will close 11 stores in nine states. The stores to be closed are in Los Angeles, St. Louis, Nashville and other locations.

BJ's Sales are up single digits.

Wal-Mart has paid the Southern District of Texas a &637,000 fine to resolve numerous alleged record-keeping violations of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act.

Wal-Mart's private label could increase by 40%.

Fresh & Easy here has introduced 98-cent Produce Packs in response to a sharp spike in its sales of canned foods over the past few months, particularly canned fruits and vegetables, according to a company release.
Read more of this story

Wegman's is now offering free antibiotics.

Supervalu on Wednesday said it would close 50 struggling stores by next month and slash its capital budget for the coming fiscal year, as it continues to adjust to a rough economy.
Read more of this story

Politics
Adirondack Daily Enterprise mentioned UFCW Local 1500's praise of Patterson's State of the State.

Sarah Palin declares war against Tina Fey, Caroline Kennedy & Katie Couric.

Long Island could get an additional $104M in federal stimulus.

More on Patterson's 'soda tax'

Aldi comes to NYC, Millennium Market opens another store, Happy Birthday A&P

Image via WikipediaAldi to open New York City store in 2009.

They're also in the midst of a discrimination suit for firing a cashier for refusing to work Sundays due to religious belief.

Khim’s Millennium Market, a natural and organic food store based here, has opened its fifth and largest location in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.

A&P launched a mail order pharmacy program.

Borders Group Inc. named Ron Marshall, former Pathmark CEO, as its new chief executive Monday as part of a management shakeup aimed at turning around the struggling bookseller's balance sheet.

This year the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., Inc. is marking its 150th year in business, making it the oldest food-retailing company in the United States.

The Stop & Shop stores in Brooklyn raised $12,744 as part of The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company’s record-breaking year with Food for Friends. Stop & Shop’s 19th annual Food for Friends campaign surpassed its $1 million goal for 300 local hunger relief organizations throughout the Northeast.

The first Wal-Mart neighborhood market opened in Virginia...They also opened one in Florida today.

Wal-Mart also continues to violate Connecticut state tax laws, even after promising to comply.

The Animal Defence League of Canada is celebrating a "major victory" after Wal-Mart Canada agreed to pull a type of Chinese-made slippers that contained real rabbit fur from its shelves.

New York Gov. David Paterson's proposal to levy an 18 percent "obesity tax" on carbonated beverages in 2009 has spurred the beverage industry to register its objections.

Sandwhich chains are flourishing in the bad economy.

Racked.com looks inside "Trader John's"

"Wal-Mart Responsible for Death"- Police, Re-Zoning the hotel Pennsylvania, Wal-Mart sales up still...

Image via Wikipedia
The police in Nassau County, New York released a report this week that clearly lays the blame for a Black Friday trampling death on Wal-Mart.

Grocer Stew Leonard's Inc. is suing Dairy Farmers of America Inc., accusing the dairy marketing association of buying large amounts of cheese to distort the market in an attempt to manipulate and raise the price of raw milk and processed dairy products.

Bob Gillick, store director at the ShopRite on Tuckahoe Road, doesn't see hiring mentally disabled residents as an option - he sees it as a necessity.

Vornado wants to re-zone the Hotel Pennsylvania.

The Coney Island Coalition has created some harsh flyers about developer Joe Sitt.

Here's more on Wal-Mart's continued efforts to stop the organizing of stores in Canada.

Stop & Shop, Giant Food Launch "Major Consumer Wellness Initiative"

Food-retailing stocks in general fared better than the market overall in 2008, although more than half of the North American supermarket and wholesaler issues tracked by SN had double-digit percentage declines during the year.
Read more of this story

Whole Foods Market has pulled out of a plan to build a new store as part of a mixed-use project in downtown Miami, reports said last week.
Read more of this story

Politics

An incoming State Senator from the Bronx is facing near-record fines for violating city campaign finance laws.

Bill Clinton is rumored to take Hillary's seat.

Special election to fill Mike McMahon's vacant seat is on Feb. 24,

Here's more on all the special elections.