Tuesday Morning One Liners...

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Supermarket News looks at Wal-Mart's neighborhood markets.

The Colorado state Senate is taking up a bill to allow locked-out workers to collect unemployment

The New York Times looks at how difficult it is to collect Workers Compensation in New York.

Local News station looks at the affect the Bottle Bill will have on Wegman's.

Restaurant workers rally for paid sick leave in Connecticut.

Times Union looks at wages, union and non-union in New York State.

NY Union Membership is down.

Rush Limbaugh tells NY to drop dead.

The aftermath of raids.

Ahold has filed court papers urging U.S. Bankruptcy Court here to deny a $100 million proposed financing package for Bi-Lo, offering its former division a $35 million loan instead. Ahold, which sold Bi-Lo to Lone Star Holdings in 2005 and remains a landlord for the retailer, said that GE Financial’s $100 million lending package would unfairly put lenders ahead of landlords with regard to collecting on pre-petition debts.

Although the majority of Americans feel that foods in supermarkets are safe, the percentage who feel this way has decreased over the last five years, according to The NPD Group here.
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A&P announced a partnership last week with Medtipster, a recently launched online service that allows consumers to find affordable equivalents to their prescription drugs, including $4 generic drugs and therapeutic alternatives.
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Ohio investigates Wal-Mart cutting 650 jobs, No wine in Supermarkets, Monday Morning One Liners...

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When Ohio gave Wal-Mart, the worlds largest retailer, a $1.8 million dollar job creation tax credit, they expected the jobs to be preserved. Friday, Wal-Mart announced they will be cutting 650 jobs, sparking the Ohio Dept. of Development to investigate if Wal-Mart reneged on their deal.

Albany: "No wine in grocery stores, beer taxes increase"

Howie Glickberg, "Out to conquer the New Jersey Market"

Gristedes has launched a new discount program.

Fresh & Easy launches 25 new wines.

Tom Suozzi signaled he’d run for governor again if David Paterson doesn’t seek re-election

The Times Union analyzes the budget.

What is in the new state budget?

Bloomberg opens campaign offices in 3 boroughs.

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• Tesco: 'Wal-Mart's Worst Nightmare' (businessweek.com)

Local 1500 Asks Governor Patterson to leave Bottle Bill out of the Budget

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[PDF Available here]
News from UFCW Local 1500

For more information contact: Patrick Purcell, 973-583-9651

Grocery Workers Union Ask Governor to Remove Bottle Bill from Budget Process

Union Members Ask Governor to Side with Workers Over Drugstores

QUEENS VILLAGE, NY (03/26/2009; 1714)(readMedia)-- United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 is asking Governor David Patterson to side with working men and women who are employed in grocery stores and not the interest of corporate giants CVS and Walgreens. The Governor is supporting the passage of the Bigger Better Bottle Bill (BBBB) in the current State budget being negotiated. The law currently has minimal enforcement procedures, places an unfair economic burden on Supermarkets and gives a virtual free pass to companies like drug stores CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens who have no bottle redemption centers, a history of violating the current redemption law and are notorious for refusing bottles from consumers seeking to return them.

UFCW Local 1500 members are asking that the BBBB be removed from the budget process and put into the legislative arena.

"The $500.00 fine and minimal enforcement of the existing bottle bill has been hurting grocery workers for years while companies such as CVS and Rite Aid routinely thumb their nose at the law," said Patrick Purcell, Director of Special Projects for United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers Union. "As with any law, we should want the penalties to fit the crime and that there be compliance. That is not the case with existing law," Purcell explained. "Now the administration wants to expand the law and make those obeying it do even more," Purcell continued. "This bill continues to reward bad behavior and penalize good behavior. It is truly Bizzaro world legislation," Purcell stated. "We agree the Bottle Bill is bigger, but it clearly is not better."

"Our members are eager to support this Governor as he faces difficult decisions during an economic crisis. He is a good man seeking difficult answers. Still, our members are at loss for understanding why he refuses to hear them on this issue, especially when it is clear the members of the Senate and Assembly are eager to hammer out a fair bill and compromise during the rest of the legislative season," Purcell said. "We hope the Governor is hearing from his top environmental advisor the truth about the opposition to this bill."

"We are imploring the Governor to support open government, a fair legislative process, the spirit of compromise and to please remove the Bigger Better Bottle Bill from the budget. There are so many people utilizing the "my way or the highway" approach with the Governor during these budget talks, yet our members are simply seeking a fair compromise," Purcell concluded.

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, Shop Rite, Gristedes, Fairway, D'Agostino, Key Food, Dairy Barn and Shop Rite.

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Happy Friday Morning One Liners...

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A coalition of labor and community organizations accused drugstore giant CVS yesterday of stocking its San Diego County stores with over-the-counter medications and food that had expired.

UFCW 1657 will meet with prospective buyers of Bruno's Supermarkets who filed for chapter 11 last week.

UFCW Local 23's bargaining committee is set to begin negotiations with representatives of Kuhns Quality Foods on Friday, March 27th. It has been nearly two months since Kuhns first recognized the union workers at the Beulah Road location--the first one of Kuhns eight stores where workers enjoy a union voice in the workplace.

Grocery Union asks Governor Patterson to remove Bottle Bill from the Budget.

Workers at IGA stores in British Columbia this week authorized union leaders to call a strike as negotiations for a new contract continue.
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A&P finally introduces their 'Green Way' brand.

The membership of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1099 has voted to approve the merger of its union with UFCW Local 911, the final step in creating a new entity, Local 75, which will become effective April 1, union officials told SN Thursday.
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2,000 teachers' jobs are in jeopardy.

Newsday has more on job cuts in schools.

Economists Agree "Employee Free Choice is the solution", Thursday Morning One Liners...

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Another top economist agrees 'Employee Free Choice best solution for wage problems in America'

The city’s most vocal advocate for restaurant workers—Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York—will issue its third major report on the restaurant industry in New York City.

Next Tuesday the group will unveil the findings of a study entitled Discrimination in Manhattan’s Top Restaurants Deny People of Color and Women Equal Access to Employment Opportunities. Among the prominent New Yorkers who are attending the event are New York City Council members Rosie Mendez and John Liu, as well as Ed Ott, executive director of the New York City Central Labor Council.

Governor Corzine welcomes Fairway Market to New Jersey.

NJ jobless rate at a 16 year high, Fairway Market brings jobs.

UFCW Local 1099 pickets Rite Aid.

Wal-Mart takes aim at CVS & Rite Aid.

Wal-Mart Stores, is asking for an appeal over the largest gender discrimination suit in United States history.

Albany reaches deal on reforming the Rockerfeller Drug Laws.

Wal-Mart still salivating over NYC, Patterson gets flack for cigg tax, Key Senator on Employee Free Choice

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Wal-Mart continues to a surge into Chicago, still salivating over NYC.

"Chicago and New York, I would say, are the two priorities for the company [Wal-Mart]."- Stock Analyst at William & Blair.

The federal agency charged with enforcing minimum wage, overtime and many other labor laws is failing in that role, leaving millions of workers vulnerable, Congressional auditors have found...We've seen 2 cases in the last month here in New York City.

A Bronx Hospital is fighting Interns and resident Doctors from unionizing, residents say conditions are so bad,they worry for their patients and their own safety.

Governor Patterson's office said Tuesday that the state plans to eliminate nearly 9,000 jobs, mostly through layoffs, after failing to get public employee unions to agree to cost-cutting concessions.

Doormen throughout Manhattan are being laid off in order to cut costs.

Here's more on A&P's new private green label.

A ShopRite & an Aquarium in Connecticut have teamed up to help feed fish and clean up the environment.

Connecticut shoppers react to their new plastic bag tax.

Politics

David Patterson's plan to raise revenue from fees on stores that sell cigarettes came under attack from both parties.

A new report on taxing the rich in NY concludes is a viable solution.

Tom Suozzi says taxpayers should 'revolt' over property taxes.

UFCW urges support of Employee Free Choice Act.

A key Senator, Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) will oppose the Employee Free Choice Act, Specter supported the bill last year.

The New York Times has more on Specter's decision.

& Here's the NY Times on Obama's address last night.

An Employee Free Choice Compromise? More Overtime violations in NYC, Tuesday Afternoon One Liners...

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Whole Foods, Costsco, Starbucks have moved for a Employee Free Choice Act compromise.

The Washington Post has more on the 'executive compromise details.'

The owner of eight Asian restaurants in Manhattan, including Ollie’s Noodle Shop and Grill, agreed to pay $2.3 million to 813 workers in what the State Labor Department called the largest amount ever collected in a single case of minimum-wage and overtime violations.

Whole Foods: Fired over a Tuna Sandwhich.

Civil War Battle Field becomes a potential Wal-Mart site.

Bashas' is expanding their shopping cart sanitation system.

A study confirmed that retail sales will remain weak.

A&P here is readying a new natural/organic private-label line that is scheduled to officially debut next month around Earth Day.

Wal-Mart to give employee bonuses.

More technology carts are sprouting throughout the country.

Ahold gets consumer input on 'healthy ideas'

Foodtown will re-banner as 'FoodKing'

Aldi will debut it's 1,000th store.

SEIU and California nurses association are now working together.

Update on Stop & Shop looking for another Hyde Park location.

Citarella's in Hamptons.

Politics

Just two of 51 council members score 100% on attendance.

Anthony Weiner, who said he's not actively campaigning for mayor and has indicated that he may not run, would still beat Bill Thompson in a Democratic mayoral primary, according to a Quinnipiac poll released this morning.

Peter King rejects bill to tax corporate bonuses.

Connecticut has passed a plastic bag bill, going into effect this week.

Hiram Monserrate reportedly rejected a plea deal before he was indicted.

Wednesday Morning One Liners...

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Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Locals 1099 and 911 are pursuing a merger to create a new group, UFCW Local 75, which would be one of the five largest UFCW unions in the country, reports said Tuesday.
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Crain's expands on another BJ's coming to Brooklyn.

Another employer stiffing employees on overtime in Manhattan.

A 20-year-old Mohegan Lake man has been awarded nearly $1 million in damages after his left hand was crushed by a freight elevator door at an Eastchester Stop & Shop where he was stocking shelves.

Stop & Shop is planning an 'affordable food summit'

Thin-crust pizza, fat-free caramel swirl ice cream and organic cage-free eggs are some of the more than 80 new Great Value products slated to hit Wal-Mart's shelves this month.
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A rash of competitive openings from non-union operators — particularly Publix — has been sinking sales at Bruno's Supermarkets, Bruno's officials revealed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court here.
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Sears Holdings here last week said it would close another 24 locations — about half of them Kmart stores — by the end of May, following the previously announced closure of 28 locations last year.
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Foxwoods employees are petitioning for a union vote with the UFCW.

Is Wal-Mart lending muscle to fight for Health Care reform?

Proposed Wal-Mart in East Patchogue, BJ's to Brooklyn, Monday Morning One Liners...

Protestors slam the proposed East Patchogue Wal-Mart. [Newsday] More information head to the coalition website www.walmartli.org.

There will be a hearing on a proposed Stop and Shop in Hyde Park on Wednesday .Stop & Shop plans to move from its location at the corner of Route 9 and St. Andrews Road into a new building in the mall where the former Ames building is located on Route 9.

In an effort to acknowledge vendors and/or manufacturers for providing outstanding quality, professionalism and exceptional customer service, D’Agostino Supermarkets, Inc. has created the D’Agostino MVP-Most Valuable Partner Award.

BJ's Wholesale Club will anchor a plaza in Canarsie, Brooklyn.

Steve Forbes will be interviewing John Casimatidis this week.

Safeway workers across Manitoba voted 83% in favor of their new contract yesterday.

Politicos

Labor-Backed Contract Rules are renewed and advanced. [WSJ]

Peter King revokes his support of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Coney Island Zoning update.

NYC Mayoral race update, who will the Dems back?

President Obama pushes "Food Safety"

David Patterson's top policy advisor steps down.

Widen the wine sales? [Newsday]

Friday Afternoon One Liners...

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Wal-Mart "confident" on defeat of Employee Free Choice.

Should America expect more from Wal-Mart? [Bloomberg]

Report: 20 members fired in Arizona for "Union Activity".

Wal-Mart plans a new 'Hispanic' supermarket format.

Duane Reade has some successful 'fresh food' taste tests.

Save Mart Supermarkets in California said it has eliminated a handful of corporate and support staff to eliminate redundancies left over from its 2007 acquisition of 130 Albertsons stores.
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Public outcry on Food Safety and Sanitation increases.

Bruno’s Supermarkets has asked U.S. Bankruptcy Court here to void parts of its contracts with the United Food and Commercial Workers union, saying that successor agreements in the deals are an “impenetrable barrier” to a potential sale and survival of the chain.
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Aldi spends millions to expand to Texas.

Politics

NY Times on Jon Stewart and Jim Cramer, "Economic Meltdown is no laughing matter"

Anthony Weiner takes a step back from the Mayoral race, for now.

Patterson pushes the expansion of COBRA benefits.

Threat of Employee Free Choice downgrades stocks, Tuesdays One Liners...

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Both houses of Congress could introduce versions of the Employee Free Choice Act as soon as today, according to reports yesterday.
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Wal-Mart was downgraded from 'buy' to 'hold' by Citi, why? Fear of the Employee Free Choice Act. [Reuters]

Bloomberg News runs down the major players supporting and opposing Employee Free Choice.

South Bronx: One bank per 20,000 residents.

The Fresh Market names a new executive.

Whole Foods will sell 13 stores to settle FTC case.

NYC nearing a launch of new supermarket development plan.

Wal-Mart's Sam's Club has a new CEO.

Nassau and Unions develop plans to save jobs.

Wal-Mart continues large eyebrow raising donations that stir up rumors in Chicago.

Politics

Jack Cafferty: "The GOP is becoming a cartoon"

The Gotham Gazette grades NYC Council members.

Ruben Diaz Jr. launched his campaign for Bronx borough president yesterday with an event at Borough Hall.

Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson supports the millionaire tax.

Do you pay the same tax rate as Donald Trump?

NYC Wal-Mart Rumors continue to fly, Whole Foods to sell 32 shops

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Despite Supermarket News reporting this morning that Wal-Mart has declined interest in the Circut City and Virgin Megastore sites, Wal-Mart did acknowledge their continued interest in the "Jewel" of retail, New York City.

Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union President Stuart Applebaum called the move opportunistic:
"We don't need Wal-Mart to take a advantage of an economic crisis to sneak into New York and drive down standards and wages," he said.

He's right, the last thing this city needs is for Wal-Mart to continue to take advantage of the recission. Reports have surfaced in the past few weeks of their strategy to take advantage of the recession in order to "sneak" into cities, they've done so in Chicago and now California.


NYC Rumors

Gothamist: "Reverend Billy to send Wal-Mart back to lake of hellfire"


Other News

Whole Foods to sell 32 stores in FTC agreement.

Wal-Mart NYC rumors, BJ's gains, Patterson cuts salary...

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Wal-Mart NYC rumors spur up again.

Costco is pressuring suppliers for lower prices.

BJ's Wholesale Club is anticipating comparable-store sales increases of 5%-7% this year — after gains of 6.4% in 2008

Endorsements of a new "Food Safety Bill"

Wegmans is soliciting customer support for the state wine proposal.

AFL-CIO is in talks with Change to Win on reuniting.

Wal-Mart eyes Japan expansion.

Wal-Mart February sales soared once again.

Politics

David Paterson promises to cut his pay by 10 percent.

The Bottle Bill gets a public hearing, and another to come on Friday.

Obama: "We will pass the Employee Free Choice Act,"

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President Barack Obama told AFL-CIO union leaders Tuesday in a videotaped address that the controversial Employee Free Choice Act will pass, signaling his full backing for legislation that makes union organizing easier.

"We will pass the Employee Free Choice Act," President Obama told more than 100 top labor officials in a closed-door meeting at the labor federation's winter gathering in Miami, according to people at the meeting.

Read the entire article at the Wall Street Journal

Check out UFCW's site on the Employee Free Choice Act

Supermarkets and wine, Ahold (Stop & Shop) doing just fine, Tuesday One Liners..

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Virgin Megastore will be closing it's doors for good.

Wal-Mart's next recession target: Central Los Angeles.

Wal-Mart is closing Canadian SAM'S CLUBS

Newsday will start charging Internet surfers for content on its Web site. But exactly when that will happen and how it will work is still anybody’s guess.

What's the future of the Southhampton King Kullen project?

Price Chopper is urging customers to support the wine expansion.

The New York Post has a great synopsis of the supermarket wine battle.

Editorial:Uncork the wine at the supermarket.

The Fresh Market was to have closed its store in Michigan Sunday, signaling its exit from the Michigan market, published reports said. Read more of this story

A repositioned Ahold is holding up well in a difficult economy. The retailer here on Monday reported increases in sales and net profits for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended Dec. 28, with U.S. chains Stop & Shop and Giant-Landover each posting their best quarterly identical-store sales in five years.
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