Friday's News Before Noon: Shaw's March Concludes...

Kroger Workers OK Dallas Contract

Workers at 90 Kroger stores in the Dallas area have voted to approve a new contract. The new agreement covers 8,000 workers represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1000.

Wegmans Rolls Out Season's First Shipment of Wild-caught Salmon
The Rochester,N.Y.- based upscale supermarket received its first shipment of fresh sockeye salmon caught in the pristine waters of the Copper River. 


Shaw's 60-Mile March


Shaw's Protest Employees Protest in Cambridge's Central Square
A group of more than 50 Shaw's employees marched through Central Square on Thursday during the fifth and final day of their march against the corporate grocery giant.  Local 1500 sent delegates to Cambridge, Mass. for the conclusion of the march yesterday (photos to the right)

Boston Herald: Shaw's 60-Mile March Ends...


More @ Wicked Local


UFCW Blog :300 families, 60 miles, 5 days: the march for justice at Shaw's concludes 



Strike! Catfish Workers in the Mississippi Delta Reject Company Contract and Vote to Strike

By a 99 percent margin, workers voted to strike rather than accept a contract that would essentially gut most of the changes that their historic three-month strike won them in 1990.

Trader Joe's Coming to Rochester

ROCHESTER, Minn-- The grocery chain with foods and berverages from the exotic to the basic, has signed a lease to open a store at 1200 16th Street Southwest, located inside Apache Shoppes.

Trader Joe's is turning Paper Bags Into Art.

A&P has re-opened its Pompton Plains, N.J., store, two months after a flood forced the store to close.  The remodeled store features a community center available free to all residents and local organizations for use with advance registration, A&P said. The room can accommodate up to 30 people.[Supermarket News]

Walmart's Asda, has bought out a U.K. food retailer, Netto Foodstores, for $1.1 billion. 


Wal-Mart Thinks Small
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is taking the next step in its British invasion.



Stop & Shop gives out a grant check:
Principal Jennifer Monaco received a giant check for $1,809 from Bob Silver, the manager of the Stop & Shop on Palmer Avenue in New Rochelle.


Unions Begin to Organize California Marijuana Industry
One hundred employees in Oakland pot shops will announce today that they will join the United Food Commercial Workers (UFCW).


New Martha Stewart Grocery Items
Grocers nationwide now have the opportunity to create a unique shopping experience in their aisles for Martha Stewart's loyal fans with a variety of all-natural Martha Stewart-branded products to be offered across multiple departments within stores.


And finally...Oscar Mayer Auctions Wienermobile Adventure
Now through June 4, the Kraft Foods brand is giving everyone the opportunity to bid on eBay for a "Ride Shotbun in the Wienermobile" package.  Put your bids in here.

Have a great, safe Memorial Day, everyone! 

Related articles by Zemanta

• Cannabis Workers Vote "Union Yes," Oaksterdam Workers Have Joined United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 5 (eon.businesswire.com)

Wednesday News After Noon: Living Wage in NYC? Cuomo's Running Mate, More

Wal-Mart Seeking More Control of its Supply Chain
The company is contacting manufacturers and seeking to provide its own transportation in instances where Wal-Mart can do the same job for less. Wal-Mart asked for 6 percent reduction in the price it pays for products based on its own cost calculation, while suppliers estimated the actual expense was equal to about 3 percent.


Wal-Mart isn't what Liberty Road Needs (MD):
"People need to connect to their neighborhoods."


Trader Joe's and Wal-Mart Sprouts Recalled for Salmonella
Sprouts sold at Trader Joe's and Walmart have been recalled after an outbreak of salmonella sickened more than 20 people in 10 states.


Labor History Month All Year Round
The month may be nearly over but union leaders, students, teachers and activists are taking advantage of new resources to keep telling our story and building our future beyond May, which is officially Labor History Month.


MOTT'S Workers Peel Away Contract to the Core and Find Nothing but a Rotten Apple... Declare a Strike
Over 300 full time manufacturing workers at the Mott's plant in Williamson,NY went out on strike because of painful wage cuts while the company enjoyed a record year of $555 million in profits.


More Arrested in Immigration Law Protest
Nearly 40 people were arrested Monday during an act of civil disobedience in Lower Manhattan meant to rally against Arizona's immigration law.


Boston.com is covering the Shaw's march...

Worcester Hospital Workers Authorize Strike

About 1,300 housekeepers and lab workers at a number of UMass Memorial Care facilities have rejected the company's latest two-year contract proposal and authorized a strike.

Tavern on the Green Staff Hold Out Hope for Jobs
Mayor Bloomberg has said the city will solicit new proposals for a restaurant in coming months, using the space as a visitor center in the interim. Many of Tavern's former employees wonder whether that future includes them


Gourmet Garage Opens on Upper Park Avenue
Gourmet Garage, New York Citys own specialty food marketplace, will be opening its fifth store in Manhattan at 1245 Park Ave between 96th and 97th Streets in February. 


FreshDirect Expands its Office Food and Beverage Delivery Service
FreshDirect At The Office, the office food and beverage delivery service division of the leading online grocer FreshDirect, is now delivering to business customers in Westchester and Fairfield Counties.

ShopRite plans 8th Maryland store.


Walmart  is reportedly testing a virtual makeup mirror in a 90-day trial at 10 stores in various locations around the country, according to StoreFrontBacktalk, a technology blog. [SN]

UFCW Local 418 President was beaten by the police.

Organizing victory for UFCW Local 5, read more at MyUFCW.

And another story from MyUFCW, Small business owners believe strong unions help business.

AFL-CIO Blog: Jobs Bill, 1 Million Jobs at Stake...Tell Congress to Pass it

Politics


Pushing a Living Wage Bill in NYC
The Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act is expected to go before the New York City Council today.

More @ Globe St.

New York Times: Wage Proposal May Prompt Fight at City Hall.


Local One Endorse Kathleen Rice for Attorney General 
Nassau District Attorney Recognized for Fighting Labor and Safety Violations by Wal-Mart and Other Employers

Poll Puts Cuomo Far Ahead of GOP Opponents
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo Goes to his party's nominating convention this week with a commanding lead over his Republican opponents in the race for governor, a new poll shows. 


Cuomo's First Union Endorsement, UFCW Local 1500.


Cuomo has selected an Lt.Governor candidate.

Monday Morning News

Cuomo's First Union
Before he had even formally announced his candidacy for governor yesterday, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 President Bruce Both offered a formal endorsement of AG Andrew Cuomo, callling him "a man of action, not just empty rhetoric."

Striking Shaw's Workers Begin March
METHUEN,Mass-- About 80 striking workers from Shaw's warehouse began the first lef of a 60-mile march to Boston yesterday to protest their contract disagreement with the chain, according to local reports.

Wal-Mart Worker Fired for Stopping Shoplifter
WICHITA, Kansas-- A Wal-Mart worker hailed as a hero for stopping a shoplifter was fired Saturday. Wal-Mart refuses to comment but Heather Ravenstein says she was told she was being let go because of her actions Friday.

Columbia Athletics Joins Fairway Market in Supporting Breast Cancer Research through WBCA Pink Zone Initiative
For the third year in a row, Columbia University Athletics joined the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and over 1,800 schools around the country raising money and awareness for breast cancer research.

Whole-Foods-Sporting 57th Street Tower Breaks Ground
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for 250 East 57th Street that will have two schools, a Whole Foods supermarket and a 350-unit glassy residential tower hovering above it.

California House Speaker to be honored at Labor Awards
California's Speaker of the House John Perez will be honored on Saturday at the 10th annual Solidarity Leadership Awards.

ShopRite to Debut Four Stores in Connecticut

UFCW Local 1500 Endorses Andrew Cuomo for Governor of NY

News from UFCW Local 1500

New York State's Largest Grocery Store Union Endorses Andrew Cuomo for Governor,

UFCW Local 1500 Pledges the Support of 23,000 Members

QUEENS VILLAGE, NY (05/22/2010): New York State's Largest Grocery Store Union Endorses Andrew Cuomo for Governor of New York, UFCW Local 1500 Pledges the Support of 23,000 Members.

The leadership of New York State's largest Union representing supermarket workers, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union Local 1500 have given Andrew Cuomo their endorsement to be the next Governor of New York State. The Union pledged the full support and resources of it's 23,000 members.

"Like many in New York State, this is an announcement that the 23,000 members of UFCW Local 1500 welcome and have eagerly awaited," stated UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce W. Both. "Throughout his career Andrew Cuomo has been an unwavering supporter of working men and women. Through his policies, he has shown us all he goes well beyond talking the talk, Andrew Cuomo walks the walk. He is a man of action, not just empty rhetoric." said Both.

"We live in difficult political times and New Yorkers are crying out for leadership, direction and hope. That call will be answered by Andrew Cuomo as the next Governor of New York State. He works hard every day for the average New Yorker and now the 23,000 members of this Union are going to work hard to see that he is elected the next Governor of New York State." Both 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, Gristedes, Fairway, D'agastinos, Key Food, Dairy Barn and Shop Rite.

Friday Morning One-Liners: Stop & Shop coming to Oceanside? Shaw's workers will march...

 “They stalk the workers and attack them. The nephew of an employer knifed one of the employees we assist,” Axt said. She said New York falls behind other states like New Mexico and Arizona, which have better wage enforcement and more strict penalties.
 Deborah Axt, deputy director of Make the Road New York, at on the Wage Theft Prevention Act, in the Queens Chronicle.

The Hartford Courant, covers ShopRite's plans to take over Connecticut.
ShopRite said Tuesday it will open new stores in Canton, Enfield, Stratford and Hamden at former Shaw's locations next week.  The Hamden store will open on May 28; the other three will open May 26.

SEIU, UFCW, lead suit against discriminatory law in Arizona.

Boston.com: Shaw's Strikers Borrow from History, Planning a Five-Day March:
When striking Shaw’s warehouse workers embark on a five-day march this weekend to draw renewed attention to their nearly three-month fight against the supermarket company, they will also be evoking the civil rights and farm workers’ marches of the 1960s.

“You can’t win a strike these days, generally speaking, just walking around on a picket line,’’ said Russ Davis, executive director of Jobs With Justice, which helped plan the march.

Miley Cyrus goes toxic at Walmart:
Via WakeUpWalmart: UPDATE May 20, 9 AM: At approximately 7:45 last evening the AP reported that Walmart was pulling the Miley Cyrus branded jewelry. USA Today says it really well in their headline Walmart pulls cadmium-tainted kids' jewelry it knowingly sold for months.  Check their entire blog post, they've covered the story from front to back.

Also a great headline by the AP: Wal-Mart still selling Miley Cyrus cadmium jewelery.
Testing of 61 samples purchased by AP reporters across the country from a Cyrus line and from a series of make-it-yourself metal bracelet charms indicated that 59 of the pieces contained at least 5 percent cadmium by weight, with 53 of those measuring 10 percent or higher.

Or from the Examiner: Is Walmart Trying to Kill Miley Cyrus Fans?

Walmart's Q1 Numbers: Sales, Earnings Up; Comps Down. [SN]

Target is seeing gains in Traffic and Profits.

And one more on Q1, BJ's Wholesale Club Profits Rise [WSJ]

Supermarket Alert: Stop and Shop is coming to Oceanside [LI Herald]
Plans to develop a 24-hour Super Stop & Shop on the former Camp DeBaun site in Oceanside are in the works, after Town of Hempstead officials approved a design for a project that some residents said would raise traffic and quality-of-life issues in their quiet neighborhood...."This particular Stop & Shop has been designed to blend in with the neighborhood ...," said Steven Krieger, a principal at Engel Burman. "It includes peaked roofs instead of the typical stucco, and looks more like a home. This is really a state-of-the-art store."

ABC filmed their show "What Would You Do?" at Key Food on Montague Street, Brooklyn.  The show aired Wednesday night... [Brooklyn Heights Blog]

Local 1500, along with other labor unions in the Greater NYC area, joined politicians, community activists and workers to support the new proposed Wage Theft Prevention Act. [Queens Chronicle]

Duane Reade, who opened a hit retail food store in Chelsea a few months back, revealed their "Fresh Food Strategy" to the Progressive Grocer, good read.  Q: We read about your Chelsea store debut in March with greatly expanded fresh food — what was the thinking behind it, and why do you think the concept will be a hit in a drug store?

Duane Reade (DR): Our goal for our fresh food program is to make it easy for New Yorkers to access tasty, quality fresh food such as bagged salads and select produce in a convenient and enjoyable way.

Price Chopper is offering a loyalty program in upstate NY.

Detroit's Push for more Green Grocers:
To help independent grocers expand on their fresh food offerings, Detroit Mayor David Bing unveiled a $1 million Green Grocer Project earlier this week.

Fresh Direct is expanding to Connecticut.


Good signs: NYC Unemployment drops four months straight [Crain's]


Thanks a bunch and enjoy your weekend, be sure to check out www.1union1voice.com for the 2010 contract updates! 

Wednesday News After Noon...

United Food and Commercial Wokers Local 99 wants to block vote on secret ballots
PHOENIX-- The state's largest private sector union is trying to block voters from deciding in November whether to constitutionally guarantee a secret ballot in public union elections.

ShopRight to Reopen Four Former Shaw's Stores in Connecticut Next Week
ShopRite said today it will open three new stores in Canton, Enfield and Stratford on Wednesday, May 26, at former Shaw's locations

More @ Journal Inquirer 

Walmart posts slower growth {NY Times}

Whole Foods Thronged at Pre-Opening Event (CT)
Newarly 2000 guests packed into the store over the course of three hours, taking in the sights, smells, and tastes of the upscale grocery.

Whole Foods Holder Sells $40.8M Worth.

Wegmans Partnering with Frito-Lay on Market Research
ROCHESTER,NY-- Wegmans Food Markets is consulting with Frito-Lay and other CPG companies on market research into new markets where the chain plans to open stores


AFL-CIO Blog: Working Families help Democratic Victories
In a Pennsylvania special congressional election yesterday, working family voters pushed hard and played a big role in electing Democrat Mark Critz over a Republican who staked a large part of his campaign on overturning health care reform.

Tuesday News Before Noon: Riverhead Walmart back on? Obama Official Slams NY Food Stamps

UFCW files a federal suit against Arizona's Anti-Immigration Policy

The UFCW yesterday joined in a lawsuit filed in federal court challenging the constitutionality of Arizona’s recently passed immigration law, S.B. 1070. Other plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the Service Employees International Union and various civil rights organizations.  “We believe S.B. 1070 is unconstitutional, un-American and that it undermines our nation’s rich immigrant history. The law effectively legalizes racial profiling and sanctions harassment and discrimination. We are filing this suit to protect the rights of our members and all workers in the state of Arizona—and to uphold the values and ideals that make our nation strong.

More @ Supermarket News

Riverhead Walmart suit dismissed, plan back on track... {Newsday}

Riverhead Wal-Mart suit dismissed- Panel rules parties can't sue to block construction

A proposed Wal-Mart superstore in Riverhead is back on track, after a decision by an appellate division panel to throw out a lawsuit that had blocked the project.

Read the entire article here(without subscription).

Obama Official Slams NY Food Stamp Policy

A USDA executive says the city and state policy of fingerprinting Food Stamp applicants cost too much and is ineffective.

Whole Foods and Hannaford Bros are seeking answers:

Should supermarkets use a single-queue checkout system like that seen at aiports and banks?

Eating Right and Big Investor Gains with Whole Foods Market

Lifestyles of Health and Sustainablility (LOHAS) Investors- Putting their money where their mouth is.  Moody's has boosted their rating.

Union: Safeway rejects pay raise for Wyo. workers

CASPER,Wyo.- The union representing Safeway workers at 10 Wyoming stores say the grocery chain has rejected to pay raise proposals.

HEB Unveils Grocery Concept Amid Naming Scuffle

One of Texas' best known and largest grocery chains is being challenged by Trader Joe's Co. in what could herald the West Coast grocer's entry into the state.

Price Chopper is joining the fight against Diabetes.

Earnings Preview:BJ'S Wholesale Club

BJ's, like other wholesale club chains, saw its popularity soar when the recession hit as budget-minded consumers shopped its stores for deals on food and other necessities. That popularity has continued, but shoppers are still staying away from nonessential purchases.

Layoffs for state workers remain unclear as budget snarl continues...

ALBANY-Gov.Paterson is, or is not, contemplating laying off thousands of state workers, depending on who is speaking for the administration

Former Penn Traffic Execs are sentenced....[SN]

Two former Penn Traffic executives who had pleaded guilty to artificially inflating the company's financial performance have been sentenced to 14 months in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York.

Monday News at Noon...

Key Food owner gives back to his community
D'Urso is both the owner of a Key Food on Lefferts Boulevard in Richmond Hill and a humanitarian who loves contributing to his community.


Key Food chain eyes former Shaw's New Haven site
The Greater Dwight Development Corp. is reportedly negotiating with Key Food, a chain of supermarkets in New York City, to fill the space left by Shaw's Supermarket on Whalley Avenue.


Unfair Fowl! Heights Key Food appears to have doctored 'sell-by' date on a chicken
A Brooklyn Heights Key Food was investigated last week after a woman alleged that store workers placed a new "sell by" label on her chicken- 11 days after the date


New York City's Larges Grocery Workers Union Endorses Francisco Moya for New York State Assembly
UFCW Union Local 1500, New York City's larges Labor Union representing supermarket workers, has announced its endorsement of Francisco Moya for New York State Assembly in the 39th Assembly District in Queens.


Hannaford prompts mixed feelings in Saranac Lake (NY)


Wegmans Warns of Check Scam
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is cautioning consumers about a scam involving fraudulent checks with the grocer's name


30 Rock star Alec Baldwin talks about Wegmans
Wegmans appears to have a grip on one of the country's most famous actors and his mother...


California Wal-Mart Workers Win Settlement over Wage Violations


SEIU's Henry to "refocus" union
UFCW and SEIU jointly campaign against the abuses of Wal-Mart, and the monster anti-worker retailer.


Gov. Paterson threatens cutting 10k jobs
Albany-- Gov.Patterson has put massive state employee layoffs "on the radar screen" after being told the no-layoff pledge he signed with public employee unions is not legally binding


Trader Joe's Founder to Chair Cost Plus
Oakland,Calif- Cost Plus said Joseph H. Coulombe, founder of Trader Joe's Markets, has been named non-executive chairman


Roundy's Prepares to open Chicago- Area Mariano's
Roundy's Supermarkets is now hiring employees for its newest concept, Mariano's Fresh Market, expected to open in Alrighton Heights, Ill., next month


Retail Industry Hails Passage of Interchange Fee Amendment
The amendment enables merchants to offer discounts or incentives for customers to use competing card networks and for customers to pay by cash, check or debit car, as well as allowing retailers to choose to set a minimum or maximum amount to use a credit card.


Culhane Joins Tops as New Perishables Veep
Jeff Culhane has joined Tops Markets, LLC as its new VP of perishable marketing. In his new role at the Williamsville,N.Y.-based Tops, Culhane will be directly responsible for the marketing and merchandising of all of the perishable departments. 


The Food Emporium Offers Arty Bag for a Good Cause
The Food Emporium has teamed up with 3D pop artist Charles Fazzino on a special-edition reusable bag design that will be exclusive to the A&P banner's Manhattan stores.

Fridays News: Local 1000 Reaches a Deal with Kroger

Image via Wikipedia

BJ's Wholesale Club to Announce First Quarter Earnings Results on May 19th 2010
On May 19th, 2010 BJ's management plans to hold a conference call at 8:30am. Eastern Time to discuss the first quarter result.

Whole Foods tops S&P gainers; reaches 2-yr high
Shares surged to their highest level in more than two years

Kroger and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1000 in Dallas Reach Tentatice Agreement

Baltimore Should be Skeptical of Wal-Mart

Walgreens Halts Plans to Sell OTC Genetic Test after FDA Query
Walgreens says it is reversing a desicion to sell a saliva test made by Pathway Genomics that promises to scan a customer's DNA to determine the risk for a host of diseases including breast cancer, diabetes and obesity.

Hannaford opens new Kennebunk store (ME)

Thursday News After Noon.....Safeway Offers Union Buyouts, A New Store for King Kullen??

Image via Wikipedia

Safeway East to Offer Union Buyouts...
Safeway is meeting with union employees from its Eastern Division stores this week to discuss buyout offers for certain long-time employees, Supermarket News reported this morning.  Safeway is offering voluntary buyouts that would provide a lump-sum payment, in addition to severance, of between $35,000 and $50,000 to eligible employees.

King Kullen Real Estate: New Southampton Village Project, a New Home for King Kullen?
New development has "ideal real estate" for a supermarket, from the East Hampton Star:

As the plans look now, Pier One would move out of the building it occupies and into the Fortunoff building, which would be expanded from 6,000 to 10,000 square feet. Its former building would be expanded to anywhere from 24,000 to 30,000 square feet to accommodate a supermarket.


Mr. Gray said he had been in talks with Waldbaum’s but they had not moved forward. He said a smaller grocery operation such as Whole Foods, Citarella, or Food Emporium would be ideal for such a space. If King Kullen did move into the space behind the Sunoco station in Tuckahoe, he said it would be an ideal place for a Wild by Nature store, which is owned by the same company. He said Trader Joe’s, a discounted specialty grocery chain, would not be able to afford the rent at that site. He said he had been told that any market would need at least 30,000 square feet to consider the site, even though Mr. Murphree said the town’s intention was to have a 24,000 to 26,000-square-foot building there.

Columbia Athletics Teams Up with Fairway Market for Shopping Event in Plainview, Long Island
Fairway Market at Plainview, Long Island is hosting a shopping event to support the Columbia Lions on Wednesday, May 19.

Hannaford to take over former Tops site in Lake Placid:
The Hannaford Supermarkets company announced Wednesday that it has signed a lease agreement for a store in the former Tops supermarket site

Wal-Mart Store to pay up to $86M to settle unpaid wages lawsuit
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has agreed to pay up to $86 million to settle a lawsuit alleging it owes workers in California vacation pay and other unpaid wages, according to court filings on Tuesday.  Walmart will pay a minimum of $43 million and up to $86 million, plus the cost associated with a third party to calculate wages due to the workers.

Bristol Walmart workers arrested in connections with eight bomb threats
Bristol, Va. Walmart employees were arrested Tuesday and accused of calling in at least a dozen bomb threats to the store over the past week.

Brooklyn Navy Yard Project gets $60M Injection
A federal initiative that allows foreign investors to finance development projects in areas of high unemployment, according to the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation.

The White House is calling for companies to stop marketing unhealthy foods to kids. [WSJ]
The recommendation is part of an 120-page report released Tuesday that outlines steps to fight the national epidemic. One in every three children ages 2-19 is overweight or obese, the report says. First Lady Michelle Obama has taken up childhood obesity as her signature cause.

UFCW Local 23 members rallied on Tuesday for good jobs in their community. This rally was all about showing solidarity and pride in being a member of their union--the UFCW.

Whole Foods is ahead of Earnings

USDA looks to reduce foodborne illnesses in poultry

UFCW: Arizona is Aiming to Punish Unions

Tuesday Afternoon News

Walmart Plans Small for the Future
Walmart is planning to open a smaller version of its large Supercenter store format in the Los Angeles area, one of the first of a new breed of smaller stores that it hopes can deliver a new phase of U.S. growth


Tops Rebranding Acquired BiLo Stores
Tops Markets, LLC said Friday it would change the banners of the Quality Markets, P&C and BiLo stores it purchased in January from the bankrupt Penn Traffic Co. to its own name. 


Whole Foods buying Greenlife stores in Chattanooga and Asheville, NC


The Haagen-Dazs Brand Celebrates 50 years of all Natural Flavor
The brand will offer free Haagen-Dazs ice cream from 11am- 3pm in front of Gristedes supermarket at 350 E86st in Manhattan


A Vital Step Towards Safer Food
Andrew Kimbrell demands Congress address the problem with unsafe food


SEIU Elects First Female President
In Washington, D.C., SEIU board members chose Mary Kay Henry as the successor to Andrew Stern.


NJ Residents Favor Wine and Spirit Sales in Supermarkets
more than three out of every four New Jerseyans who consume alcohol support a proposed change the state law to permit wine and spirit sales in supermarkets.

Friday Morning One-Liners: A&P Losses Deepen....

A&P Losses Deepen; Marshall Launches Strategy
MONTVALE, N.J. — Work has already begun on Ron Marshall’s plan to revive A&P, although the chain’s struggles only intensified during his first months as the company’s chief executive officer.

More @ The Progressive Grocer: A&P’s Q4, Full-year Sales Dip, Loss Widens
SN: Strike Continues as Shaw’s Considers Outsourcing
Striking workers at Shaw’s distribution center here this week said the retailer is seeking to outsource its meat and deli operations to C&S Wholesale Grocers.

President of Shoprite Supermarkets Explains Appeal of Walmart Case
"Currently, the ShopRite of Ellenville employs 180 associates; these are union jobs with competitive wages and generous benefits — the same cannot be said of our competitor."

Walmart plans smaller version of Supercenters
Walmart is planning to open a smaller scale version of its successful Supercenter store format in the Los Angeles area

Walmart in Catskill gets break on tax bill
The Town Board has agreed to reduce the assessment on the Wal-Mart property by $1.67 million to $13.5 million, covering the years 2010 through 2012.

Wegmans Helps Honor Mom
In recognition of Mother’s Day, Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is offering a range of events over the upcoming holiday weekend to enable kids to show their moms just how much they love them.

Whole Foods Market Opens New Flagship Store in Tarzana(CA)
New Store Offers Natural, Organic and Local Foods That Bring the Unique Flavors of Tarzana to Life

Civil Rights and Labor Organizations will boycott Arizona to protest unjust Immigration Law Washington, DC—Today, leading civil rights and labor organizations gathered at the headquarters of NCLR (National Council of La Raza) to call on people of conscience throughout the nation to join them in boycotting the state of Arizona.


Wal-Mart to Pay $27M in Waste Case
Wal-Mart Stores on Monday said it would pay $27 million as part of a settlement with environmental groups in California, which sued the retailer for improperly disposing of hazardous materials ranging from fertilizer to nail polish.

Guilford(CT) ‘rock pile’ site eyed by Costco
Since the economy has derailed plans for a shopping center at the site, called Guilford Commons, a Costco discount store and gas station may be built instead, town officials said this week.

And, CONGRATULATIONS TO LOCAL 371! Local 371 was successful in winning a hard card check yesterday at the Food Bazaar in Bridgeport,CT, with a unit of 166 employees.

Thursday Afternoon News...

SHAW'S REJECTS UNION'S OFFER TO SETTLE STRIKE AT METHUENWAREHOUSE
South Easton, Mass.–The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 791 announced today that Shaw's Supermarkets rejected the union's contract offer and countered with a very regressive proposal that is significantly worse than their two previous packages.


BJ's Wholesale Club and Gratitude
To celebrate May's Military Appreciation Month, Operation Gratitude and BJ's Wholesale Club are challenging their supporters and members to write 50,000 letters for inclusion in care packages mailed to U.S. troops deployed in combat zones this year.


Revealing Numbers in Wal-Marts Annual Report.
Wal-Mart by the numbers raises a number of concerns for investors, and some reason for optimism for community groups fighting the giant retailer


Union protest Wal-Mart  at Waterworks citing need to keep money local
PITTSBURGH- United Food and Commercial Workers Local 23 members skewered Wal-Mart at The Waterworks mall Monday, verbally, and in a sense, physically

Wal-Mart Plan Stirs Queens Ghosts

 A plan to open a Wal-Mart store in a proposed Brooklyn shopping center, only minutes from Queens, is meeting opposition from a local union and digging up ghosts of rumors past.

Great Atlantic & Pacific loss wider on sales plunge

A&P reported that sales at existing stores fell 4.8% during the quarter ended Feb.27, while overall sales fell 12.9% to $2 billion

Whole Foods donates 5% of Tuesday sales to food bank

In coordination with a new marketing campaign launched by the Rhode Island Community Food Band,the three Whole Foods markets in Rhode Island will donate 5 percent of their net sales on Tuesday, May 4, to the food banks

Oil Spills Impact on Local Seafood Negligible-- For now

The oil spill disaster wreaking environmental havoc in the Gulf of Mexico is likely to have a devastating impact on that area's fishing industry

Tuesday Afternoon One LIners...

Wal-Mart to pay $27.6 million to settle California environmental case

Wal-Mart has agreed to pay $27.6 million to settle charges that it violated California environmental laws in its handling and disposal of hazardous materials, prosecutors involved in the case announced Monday in San Diego.

 

NY Daily News responds to Walmarts "cheap underwear" critics...

 

Bringing Down Wal-Mart

The woman who once dreamed of turning her life around through hard work and promotion into Wal-Mart corporate management is now the first “named plaintiff” in a sexual-bias class-action lawsuit against the mega-corporation. 

 

Shaw’s Rejects Union’s Offer to Settle Strike at Methuen Warehouse

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 791 announced today that Shaw’s Supermarkets rejected the union’s contract offer...

 

New Whole Foods Market to open in Schaumburg, IL

Air Products’ Hydrogen and Technology Fueling Wegmans’ Warehouse Operations [PA]

The produce at Wegmans Retail ServiceCenter (RSC) just got greener...

 

Concern over possible Flushing supermarket closure 

Hundreds of Flushing residents and their leaders are gearing up to fight the rumored closing of the Key Food supermarket at the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and Bowne Street.

 

FreshDirect Rolls Out ‘Guaranteed Fresh’ Mark

Online grocer FreshDirect has debuted “Guaranteed Fresh” labels, which appear on all freshly made meals, meat, seafood, dairy and produce items. The designation clearly shows customers exactly how many days their food will remain fresh.

Stop & Shop Earns an A+ From Local Schools

Stop & Shop today announced it will distribute $1 million to local schools on behalf of Stop & Shop and its A+ Bonus Bucks shoppers. 

Whole Foods Market to Carry Converted Organics' Products

Total of 84 Stores With New Distribution Through North Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic Store Regions Whole Foods Expands Distribution of All-Natural Fertilizer by 66 Stores