Mid-Week News Briefs:

Image via WikipediaWalmart is currently in the largest class action suit in US history, on Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard the case Walmart Stores v. Dukes, in order to determine if Walmart is simply "too big" for a class action suit.  More @Supermarket News.

ABC News looks at how other companies embrace women at the workplace.

A&P's retired executives are seeking representation in A&P's Chapter 11, they stopped receiving payments in November from their plan.


Governor Walker is ignoring a court order and publishing his law, curbing collective bargaining for public employees.

The Governor in Maine has removed a mural which illustrated the history of working families in the state.  More:[Video]

Supermarket News reported on UFCW's push for April 4th, We are ONE rally.

Crain's reports a new 16,000 sqft Grocer will be opening on 110th Street.

Walmart is paying attention to the "changing consumer".


The NY Times looks at Aldi, where Walmart (NYC) has failed, they've succeeded.

The Walmart Truth Tour is coming to NYC on Thursday! Earlier this week they were in Chicago, check out the video and report from Progressive Illinois.

Austin Guest from JWJ, "Walmart Associates in their own words, 'this company doesn't respect workers'"

Must Read: Excellent editorial from Matt Ryan of NYJWJ: Sometimes It Takes a Fire to Wake Us Up.

The Atlantic makes is simple, Walmart is greedy and just wants more.

Ohio continues attack on workers, passes Anti-Worker bill.

In Oregon, the UFCW is rallying supporting workers from Albertsons, Fred Myer & Safeway.

Michigan's Item Pricing Law was repealed.

Trader Joe's frozen pizza has been recalled, 131,000 pounds of it.

In Pittsburgh, the UFCW is protesting Giant Eagle's massive cutbacks in workers' hours.

Contracts with 100,000 NY State workers end today at midnight.

Monday One-Liners: 3/26-2/28:

Image via Wikipedia

The firm who facilitated the sale of Penn Traffic last year was honored.

Target's P-Fresh (Grocery) is opening in Connecticut & St.Louis. 

Analysis from Supermarket News: "Stop & Shop's Expansion Continues with Foodtown Purchases"

The NY Times looks at Walmart's Political Campaign to enter NYC. 

Walmart has spent a lot of money on their political campaign to gain support of New Yorkers in order to open their first NYC Store,  WalmartWatch is holding an event on Thursday, March 31 @ NYU with workers from across the Globe... From WalmartWatch:

The company is spending a lot of money to change the debate from the real issue, which is how it treats its associates and creates poverty-level jobs throughout its supply chain. As the world’s largest retailer, how Walmart impacts workers across the globe is a good preview of what kind of jobs it is going to try to bring to NYC. Three workers representing different links in the Wal...mart supply chain will be appearing in New York on Thursday, March 31th as part of Sweatshop, Warehouse, Walmart: A Worker Truth Tour. RSVP on Facebook!

UFCW Local 8 will begin an informational picket at a new Fresh and Easy in California, you can read Fresh & Easy Buzz's take.

This morning, a Walmart Organizer spoke on a panel at the White House, at a Women's History Month Event.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear the infamous Dukes vs Walmart, the largest discrimination suit in United States history.

If you haven't had enough of Walmart NYC polls, there is a new one, showing that New Yorkers agree that a Walmart in NYC would be bad for business.

Wisconsin, Politics, Nation:

What's going in the Midwest, has many middle class workers re-thinking their allegiance to the GOP.  And with high union voter turnout, the Wisconsin Senators are likely to be recalled.

Tom Morello rallied with the UFCW and unions across California this past Saturday, check out the video!

AFL-CIO Blog: Wisconsin Protests, Opportunity for Labor.

In Nassau the MTA eliminated more than half of their 48 bus lines, affecting an estimated 16,000 riders.  Check this image out to see the reductions in service.

Governor Andrew Cuomo said a tentative $132.5 billion state budget deal was struck late Sunday night.


Embattled Suffolk County executive, Steve Levy, who flipped to Republican last election season, has ended his bid for a third term.

As of Friday, there has been no ruling on Scott Walker's Wisconsin "Union Law" curbing bargaining rights for Public Workers.  A lower court declined to weigh in, now the state Supreme Court will weigh in.

 

Friday News Briefs:

No matter how available wage data is sliced and diced, a single truth remains: a wage gap exists between male and female workers. On average, full-time female workers make 23 percent less than male full-time workers.
-Huffington Post, What's at Stake for Walmart vs. Women in Dukes Case.

Remembering the Triangle Shirtwaist fire, its victims, and lessons, 100 years later http://ow.ly/4mfEp

President Obama issued a proclamation and called on all Americans to honor the 100th Anniversary of the Triangle Fire.

What's at stake for Walmart vs Women in the Dukes case? Read the editorial by Fatima Goss Graves in the Huffington Post. 

Walmart South Africa Update: Unions and the government want guarantees about Massmart jobs and for Wal-Mart to commit to using mostly domestic suppliers.  Read more @ Reuters. 

UFCW Local 400 President Tom McNutt congratulated Wisconsin Judge Maryann Sumi for  issuing a temporary restraining order blocking the union-busting bill the Wisconsin Senate rammed through last week.

Target Corp. is suing a San Diego pro-gay marriage group to get it to stop canvassing outside its San Diego County stores, alleging its activists are driving away customers.

Related articles

• Fatima Goss Graves: What's at Stake for Women in Wal-Mart v. Dukes (huffingtonpost.com)

Morning One-Liners: 3/22-3/24; BJ's Wholesale Club Takeover Looms, A&P Warned of Strike...

Image via Wikipedia
Yesterday, the Affordable Act turned 1 year old, giving millions of women access to equal & affordable health care for the first time in their lives.

UFCW 81 and 21 have merged, Local 81 and will now become a part of UFCW Local 21.

Supermarket News: Unions Warn A&P of a Strike...SN covered President Both's statement from Tuesday regarding A&P/Pathmark Bankruptcy.

A new Red Apple Supermarket will be opening in Fort Greene, finally getting a supermarket.

BJ's Wholesale Club takeover talks continue to loom. @NYTimes @WSJ @BostonHerald

Hundreds of "mini Walmarts" slated to open in the next few years; Chicago, San Diego, NYC.

5 Foodtowns in Jersey will be sold to Stop & Shop, retaining the union, UFCW 1262's representation.  More @ Patch.

Elsewhere the Queensboro Bridge will be renamed to the Koch Bridge.

Pathmark/A&P Update from Local 1500 President Bruce Both

By: Bruce Both, President

I’d like to update you on the A&P bankruptcy. At the same time A&P is closing stores and laying off our members, the company won a bankruptcy court approval of a Key Employee Incentive Plan, which will give bonuses to “key” managers and executives.

Yet at the same time, A&P has indicated that it will ask Local 1500 to agree to reductions in wages and benefits under our collective bargaining agreement. All indications are that if A&P does not get what it wants in bargaining it will ask the bankruptcy court (in a so-called 1113 motion) to approve such reductions or, worst case, to reject our contract outright. 

If the court sets aside our contract, the ‘no strike clause' is no longer in effect and we have the right to strike.  I don’t want to alarm you, but it is my duty to let you know that A&P may leave us with no choice than to strike.  While A&P thinks that managers are so essential to its operation they should receive lucrative bonuses, it forgets that you, the members, are the ones who really matter to the future of the company, and that it cannot function or run stores without the hard work you perform every day.

I’ll continue to keep you posted.  Please email us, info@ufcw1500.org or contact your Union Representative for any questions.

In Solidarity,

Bruce W. Both

President, UFCW Local 1500

Afternoon News Recap: 3/18-3/21

The Washington D.C. Council is considering Walmart curbs, forcing retailers over 75k sqft and over $1 billion annual sales revenue, to sign a Community Benefits Agreement.

Sam Martin outlines his 5 steps for A&P's turnaround in Forbes. (link updated)

A judge in Wisconsin filed an injunction to block Scott Walker's collective bargaining law.

John Castimatidis is unsure if he'll run for Mayor of NYC.

Walmart announced they'll be opening 6 new stores in Chicago.

The NLRB has upheld UFCW Local 371's organizing victory of 400 workers at Foxwoods Casino.

BJ's Wholesale Club is looking to open a new store in Lansing, NY and Amherst, NY.

Tuesday Morning One-Liners:

Peapod is challenging Fresh Direct by beginning to deliver to Manhattan.  Read the Peapod Press Release.  More @ Supermarket News.  @PGrocer.

Al Norman of Sprawl Busters looks closely at WalmartNYC's "Polls".

A Mid-Western American, now living in South Africa, who has seen the effects Walmart has on small towns and Mom & Pops, has written a Letter to the Editor in South Africa, explaining how the mega-retailer will destroy businesses.

UFCW 880 is on strike at northern Ohio Rite-Aid stores. Read more @Cleveland.com.

#StandupAmerica

Governor John Kasich (Ohio), is demanding a news "black out", banning all reporters from, photography and video when he announces his State budget today.

Friday Morning One-Liners: 3/9-3/11;

“And for those politicians who seek to emulate Governor Walker, rest assured, these attacks on middle class families have unified and inspired an even stronger grassroots movement for change in this country.”   UFCW International's statement on GOP attacking workers' rights.

Wednesday night under sobering pressure from polls and recalls, Governor Walker urgently rammed through his anti-union legislation.  "In 30 minutes, the 18 Republican senators stripped away 50 years of worker rights," Poll after poll shows support for Public Workers and thousands of protesters rushed the state Capitol in Wisconsin.

The UFCW International released a statement on Wisconsin GOP's attack on workers. 

Labor has vowed to step up the recall effort in Wisconsin, "This legislative gimmick proves Walker's attack on the middle class was never about balancing the budget; it was always about stripping workers of a voice and rewarding the cronies who helped finance his campaign." Read more @ Huffington Post.

Mad about Wisconsin?? Tell your NY elected officials via AFL-CIO.  

32 BJ Press Release: Democracy, Not Just Wages, Under Attack in Wisconsin & Elsewhere.

Thousands gather @ Indiana's Statehouse for a labor rally.

NFL Players back Indiana's public workers.

#Industry

The first three 15,000 sqft Walmarts will open between May and early summer in Arkansas.  More @Bloomberg.

Business Week & The WSJ report Walmart plans on opening 'hundreds' of small stores.

On Thursday, Walmart said the company is considering acquiring retailers with smaller stores to help turn around its weakened U.S. business.  More @ ABC News.

In a few days, Betty Dukes will be fighting Walmart in the Supreme Court, send her a message of encouragement.

Join Walmart Watch in calling Justice Antonin Scalia to recuse himself from the Dukes v. Walmart case.  The Justice's son is a partner at Walmart's law firm in the massive gender discrimination suit.

A  BJ's Wholesale club will be opening in Garden City in 2012.

Fresh Direct is receiving a $50M investment to expand out of NY.

UFCW International's Statment on Wisconsin GOP’s Attack on Workers’ Rights

Image via Wikipedia

A Statement from United Food and Commercial Workers International Union on Wisconsin GOP’s Attack on Workers’ Rights

         MADISON, Wis.-- One of the nation’s largest private sector unions, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) condemns the cowardly attack on Wisconsin’s public servants by Governor Scott Walker and Republican state senators.

         Joe Hansen, UFCW International President, said, “Tonight’s late-night actions by Wisconsin’s Republican Senators will not stand. Working families and the broader community in Wisconsin and across the country have overwhelmingly stood up for the right to bargain collectively. Governor Walker’s true motives have been made clear that this was never about balancing the budget, but rather to exact political revenge on the hard working teachers, firefighters and public workers that make Wisconsin a great state.”

         Hansen continued, “And for those politicians who seek to emulate Governor Walker, rest assured, these attacks on middle class families have unified and inspired an even stronger grassroots movement for change in this country.”

         Tricia Hawkins, a UFCW Local 1473 member was inside the Wisconsin capitol building when the vote was taken. She said, “I work at Hormel Foods in Beloit and I have a good job because I have a seat at the bargaining table. I know collective bargaining works because our members work with management to reach the best agreement to make a stronger company and a good place to work.” She continued, “Working people understand that hard times call for shared sacrifices but Governor Walker proved tonight that his motivation was never about shared sacrifice. He is out for political revenge.”

        UFCW members work in some of the nation’s largest supermarket chains and major food processing and meatpacking plants. UFCW members put food on America’s dinner table and with a voice at work and the right to bargain with their employer, they are able to bring middle class jobs to every neighborhood in America.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110309007152/en/Statement-United-Food-Commercial-Workers-International-Union

Mid Week One-Liners: 3/6-3/9

“Almost half of this shopping center depends on that store!” said Connie’s Pizza owner Louis Sabino. “It’ll kill us when it closes.”- Small Business Owners concerned about the  Nostrand Ave. Pathmark closing.

Whole Foods in Tribeca is now offering a concierge service.

In California, where the UFCW is negotiating contracts covering 62,000 grocery workers, Paul Suchecki of the Venice Patch writes an Op-Ed entitled 'Unions Get No Respect'.

BJ's Wholesale Club is expanding to Buffalo.

Stand in Solidarity on April 4th! the AFL-CIO has organized a 'We are One' rally.  Supporting workers across Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and throughout America.

Last week we objected to A&P's bonus plan, yesterday, a judge in White Plains sort of objected:

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain in White Plains, N.Y., on Tuesday gave the company permission to pay bonuses to more than 140 "second-tier" managers, saying those bonuses had triggers that were not a "walk in the park." He said the company needs to develop a business plan, negotiate more terms for its reorganization and show more business metrics before granting $440,000 per person to three top executives, however. More @ Supermarket News -Bloomberg News/North Jersey.

 Pathmark announced a new program "Pathmark Perks" for their shoppers.

Mom & Pops surrounding Nostrand Ave. Pathmark are concerned about business once the Pathmark closes.  Yournabe wonders if they need another supermarket and who will fill the vacant space.

Props to Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel for warning food retailers, if they're planning to grow their businesses in the city of Chicago they must include the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables to underserved inner-city neighborhoods in their plan.

Yesterday was International Women's Day.  Check out Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis' statement here.  Join the UFCW Women's Network on Facebook, and watch this video: James Bond for Women's Rights.

Local 1500 Objects to A&P's bid for Bonus Pay Outs

Image via Wikipedia

On Thursday, March 3, 2011, UFCW Local 1500 along with Creditors and Trustee’s objected to the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.’s bid to pay out $6.8 million in bonuses for their “key employee retention plan”.  A&P’s ‘retention plan’ asks for a loan of $6.8 million to pay 146 non-union employees, $1.76 million of that going to their top four executives.   The plan could allow the four senior executives to earn 175% of their base salaries while providing 100% bonuses for other participants.  Local 1500 is shocked A&P made this request since they have yet to establish a one-year business recovery plan.   We valiantly oppose their bid for a bonus plan and urge A&P to focus on rebuilding their historic company.

Local 1500 Secretary-Treasurer Tony Speelman expressed his frustration; “Their plan is to take care of the executives who brought them to their current bankruptcy state right now.  Our members are insulted and saddened that A&P continues to focus on short-term goals like paying executives rather than creating a solid, sound business plan to bring this company back to the top of the grocery industry. “

Today, both the Wall Street Journal and the Dow Jones Daily Bankruptcy Review, wrote about Thursday's objection to A&P's 'Employee Retention Plan'. please follow the links above and read them.

We will be discussing Pathmark/A&P and much more at our next General Membership Meeting, March 9, 2010.  For questions or comments please contact your union representative, or email us at info@ufcw1500.org.

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Social Media Note: In effort to save tweet space, our Twitter handle is now @UFCW1500
 

Women's Network Meeting Recap: 3/2/11

UFCW Local 1500 Women's Network Meeting

- by Jessica Lynch, Communications Assistant

Women's Network Meeting

               

            UFCW Local 1500 hosted a Women’s Network meeting on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at the “UFCW Local 1500 Headquarters”. The meeting focused on “What Women Need to Know About Retirement”, and was presented by Karen Godfrey and Michael McCrain from McCrain Financial Group, Inc.

Michael McCrain and Karen Godfrey

The meeting helped the members learn how to balance bills, pay off debt and build emergency savings. The women were also given helpful advice on Social Security, such as: how to earn benefits, types of benefits available, how much you qualify for and how taxes affect your benefits.  Advice on preparing for retirement was given in a few simple steps: Balance your bills; pay off debt; build emergency savings and to pay off your home. On top of retirement and social security, stocks and bonds were explained thoroughly- informing the women how to invest well. Godfrey and McCrain were able to answer numerous questions throughout the meeting and took time to have individual questions asked on specific situations. 

Women gathered at Local 1500 Headquarters

The Women’s Network were able to come together to learn how to prepare for retirement the best way possible. Many were able to share their stories and educate themselves on how to start preparing for particular situations, while others sat back and learned through others. Overall the meeting was very informative and a great learning experience. For more information on the Women's Network, please email:  info@ufcw1500.org 

Friday Morning One-Liners:

A&P will next week ask a bankruptcy judge to approve $1.76 million in payments to four of its top executives, part of a $6.8 million "key employee retention plan" that covers 146 non-union employees.  Read more @ WSJ.

NY Times: U.S. Economy adds 192,00 Jobs, Rate Falls to 8.9&

The nation’s employers added 192,000 jobs in February, after having added just 63,000 the previous month.  Find the latest statistics here.

Yesterday, Creditors, Unions (UFCW), Trustee Objected to A&P's Bonus Plan.  Calling the plan a "band-aid" retention plan.

More @WSJ: A&P will next week ask a bankruptcy judge to approve $1.76 million in payments to four of its top executives, part of a $6.8 million "key employee retention plan" that covers 146 non-union employees. 

Three days until California contracts expire covering 62,000 UFCW grocery workers. More @PressEnterprise.

Ahold's Q4 summary shows "solid" numbers.

Ahold, Looking for Growth: “We're actively looking for growth opportunities where we see a strategic fit, the price is right, and we can integrate smoothly,” Dick Boer, chief executive officer of Ahold, from today's Supermarket News.

Major LGBT groups say NO to Walmart in NYC.

John Castimatidis (CEO of Gristedes) joined Neil Cavuto to discuss rising inflation.

Target will pay $22.5M for illegally dumping Toxic Waste out in California.

NYPIRG has 2010's top lobbyist clients, 2010 broke records on $$ spent, with Beverage and Teachers topping the list.

#Wisconsin

Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin, says he will start issuing layoff warnings to public sector unions representing 1,500 employees on Friday, if his bill remained in limbo.  Read more @NYTimes

Walker's Budget extends attacks on Seniors, Children & Poor.

AFL-CIO Blog: Killing Workplace Rights is Un-American.  

Must Watch: Watch Congressman George Miller's speech on the floor: Attack on Middle-Class American's.

Must Read: The New Yorker, Union Blues. & Richard Trumka's Op-Ed in WSJ: Scott Walker's False Choice

Half of Wisconsin's workers want to recall Walker.

Thursday 3/3 Lunchtime One-Liners:

 “I've worked there from August 2004 and I have never had a vacation; I've gotten sick and had to go to work sick; I've worked on holidays and haven't gotten paid extra; and I never got overtime,” said Jesus Najera, a 31-year-old immigrant from Honduras who plans to vote in favor of the union. “We think that with the union there will be changes for the better at the store.” -From Today's Crain's: Two Brooklyn Supermarkets Hit with Class-Action Suits.

#Industry 

Target has beaten Walmart in a pricing survey.

Meanwhile, they've [Target] just paid $35M for a hefty piece of property in the Bronx, looking for their third store in the borough. 

BJ's Wholesale Club is projecting gains in 2011.

King Kullen's new nutritional shopping guide is a hit, so far.

BJ's Wholesale Club's profit's are in the decline by 81%, but rising fuel costs have been a major help... Their Q4 was dragged down by expenses but its adjusted results beat expectations, sending its shares higher.

Ahold's (Stop & Shop) Q4 profit is down 42%. More @CanadianBusiness.

CBS News says retail sales were strong, but expect price increases soon.

Atlantic City Press: Town board to review Walmart's Expansion.

Our brothers and sisters @Local338 & @NYChange (NY Communities for Change) are working to improve working conditions at two Brooklyn Supermarkets. Great work!

If you've been following the Walmart South Africa story, Walmart's merger w/ Massmart (South Africa) is a threat, both sides have been unwilling to unwillingness to make any  commitments that would address public interest concerns about the impact of the merger on local procurement, food security and broad-based black economic empowerment: “A merger of the size of the proposed Wal-Mart/Massmart transaction, and with the size and leverage of the parties which are involved, could, if not properly regulated, go some way towards undermining the New Growth Path”, the departments said.

#WalmartNYC

Brooklyn Business Owners Fear Walmart's Presence...Edgar Andrade fears Wal-Mart's low prices would drive his hardware and dollar store out of business if the company opened a location nearby.

#Walmart’s Women Problem: "New Yorkers might think twice before allowing such drama into our City"  http://exm.nr/i80GYP

#StandupUnions

More than 20,000 rally for Ohio for Public Employees. But yesterday Ohio's Senate passed a Bill to weaken collective bargaining rights for public employees, the bill bans the right to strike, read more @ The NY Times: 

In Ohio, Nina Turner, a Senate Democrat, said, “This bill seeks to vilify our public employees and turn what used to be the virtue of public service into a crime.” At its heart, the bill redraws rules governing how several hundred thousand public-sector workers bargain with the governments that employ them. Among the most objectionable parts, workers said, are the rules giving local officials the final say in breaking labor impasses. Currently, non-elected, third parties decide.

Why are workers being used as bailouts for economic problems? The elected officials are mostly to blame for fiscal problems, not workers!

UFCW Activists, help workers in Ohio!

Tuesday Afternoon One Liners: New Poll Shows Americans Oppose Weakening Bargaining Rights

A NYTimes & CBS Poll  reveals that a majority of Americans oppose weakening of collective bargaining rights, backing Public Sector Unions.  More @ AFL-CIO.

A&P Stock hits another new low, under $0.86.

Target projects sales will hit over $100 billion on Canada stores.  Meanwhile their sales are up 3%.

Gristede's goes wireless.

Poll: Walmart's U.S. Sales, Long Road to Recovery.

"I think Wal-Mart has lost their way," said Howard Davidowitz, chairman of Davidowitz & Associates Inc., a retail consulting and investment banking firm in New York. "Wal-Mart focused on this fancy remodeling program and fancy apparel, and it's totally off track with their whole business." 

Walmart is countering Unions with a "Pro-Labor" PR Blitz

In San Diego, Fresh & Easy stores are being picketed.

Farmworkers demand better pay from Trader Joe's,  The Coalition of Immokalee Workers, a Florida-based workers' rights group is only asking for a 0.35 cent pay raise for every 32 pound bucket of tomatoes they pick, and Trader Joe's (everyone's favorite friendly grocer) refuses. Read more: @ DNAinfo

More @ Gothamist.

Progressive Grocer covers the protest at the Upper West Side Trader Joe's.

Disney workers approved their union contract with UFCW.

#Wisconsin:
UFCW Member Trish Hawkins "We Are Wisconsin!"

U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis: "Collective Bargaining is the cornerstone of democracy, part of the solution."

NBA Union backs Wisconsin workers.

UFCW News: Organizations Urge Supreme Court to Uphold Civil Rights and Workers' Laws in Amicus Brief Filed Today...

MAJOR WORKER ORGANIZATIONS URGE SUPREME COURT TO UPHOLD CIVIL RIGHTS AND WORKERS’ LAWS IN AMICUS BRIEF FILED TODAY

(Washington, DC) –The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), AFL-CIO, and Change to Win have filed a joint amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the plaintiffs in the Dukes v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., sex discrimination case.

A joint statement follows:

“For more than 45 years, American workers have sought protection from the courts for equal treatment in the workplace. Workers have joined together to remedy widespread discriminatory workplace practices through class action proceedings and by applying the nation’s civil rights standards to their workplaces. Today, Walmart is attempting to undo that standard by claiming its female associates have no right to appeal for justice as a class.

In our amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, we ask the court to uphold the fundamental pillar of the Civil Rights Act and to ensure that the class action process remains open to workers in all industries.

Walmart is not too big for justice. No employer should be beyond justice for its workers. Workers must have a voice in the legal process. The cost to Walmart if it loses the suit would be a fair recompensation for billions of dollars in lost wages and benefits owed to female employees who have lost opportunities as a result of Walmart’s discriminatory actions.

With more than 1.4 million associates nationwide, Walmart has single-handedly transformed the American economy by setting workplace standards by which all other retailers and employers are forced to compete. Because Walmart’s employment practices are so influential, its female associates must be allowed to have their day in court. We congratulate the brave women who initiated this complaint and who seek to create a Walmart workplace that treats all associates equally.”

For more information on the Dukes v. Walmart Stores case, visit www.walmartclass.com

UFCW News Service
www.ufcw.org