Canada Safeway locks out UFCW Local 401, Food Stamps at all time high, NYC needs Paid Sick Days, Tuesday Morning Read

"For many Americans, Labor Day has become better known as a holiday to mark the end of summer rather than a celebration of the many contributions workers have made to our society -- from the weekend, to safer jobs, to paid vacations and health care. America's unions helped create the middle class, and today, America's unions are essential to our economic recovery. "

-Tom Woodruff, Director of Change to Win's Strategic Organizing Center, in an editorial in The Huffington Post.

Canada Safeway has served notice to the UFCW that it will lock out more than 300 workers at its Edmonton Distribution Centre and Lucerne Ice Cream plant starting at 6 a.m. Today.

More at the Edmonton Sun. And the Calgary Herald.

East End Long Islanders want a Trader Joe's: Southhold residents have created a “Trader Joe’s Riverhead, NY Location Request Group," on Facebook

BJ's reports August sales were down.

The Times says "Middle America has come to the South Bronx"

Food Stamps: More than 35 million Americans received assistance in June through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the food stamp program — the highest number of recipients ever — according to the Food and Nutritional Service of the Department of Agriculture.

The state of Michigan is offering tax incentives to companies that develop or expand grocery stores in underserved areas.

Target's new billboards in Times Square are turning heads.

New apples in the Big Apple?

The number of union workers rises in Alaska.

Labor Editorials

New York Times: Infighting is Blunting Labor's Clout.


New directions for a labor movement in decline.

Politics

With Swine Flu threat looming, NYC needs paid sick days.

Will Pedro Espada pass the farm workers bill?

And the Naked Cowboy drops out of the mayoral race.