Updated News Briefs: NLRB Alleges Labor Violations at Target Valley Stream

The NLRB is alive if you were wondering, and has asserted via Crain's NY that Target used illegal tactics, such as threatening to "close the store if the union were to get in" during the weeks leading to June 17th election... "Target has violated labor laws & used illegal tactics in weeks leading up to the June 17th union election." 

A rival retailer was interested in purchasing BJ's Wholesale Club earlier this year.

The NLRB has filed a complaint against Target for violating federal laws weeks leading up to the union election in June.


A Stop & Shop will open in East Brunswick, replacing an A&P which closed in October 2010.

A&P opened a new Superfresh in Philly last week. The store was originally slated to be a Pathmark.

While UFCW members authorize a strike in Southern California, Sign on San Diego wonders if the grocers could survive a strike.

Wal-Mart purchases some goodwill...Some call it buying their way into the city, some call it charity, you decide.

UFCW and Kroger reach 4 week contract extension in W.V..

The Queens Chronicle writes "Pathmark workers on edge." 

DNA.info interviews two Local 1500 Members, Keith Jefferson & Flame Washington on working at Pathmark during Bankruptcy.

The Brooklyn Eagle interviewed Local 1500 Shop Steward, Sofi Rosenblum, to discuss the A&P bankruptcy.

A UFCW Local 342 Member was interviewed in the Staten Island Advance on Pathmark's Bankruptcy.

Editorial: How A&P Changed the Grocery World.

A&P announced they'll be selling local NYC pizza.

No surprise here, Unions back the NLRB proposed rule changes.

Crain's: Retail NYC workers fighting for a 40-hour work week.

Target Fires Pro-Union Worker 7-Weeks After Union Election

Tashawna Greene (middle), was fired 7-weeks after being a leading
pro-union voice at Valley Stream Target

By: Target Change

Aside from a new TV and microwave in a break room, Target Corp. has not changed. Not after a union election that depicted what life was like working for Target. Not after their anti-union video surfaced, illuminating what they really thing of workers banding together in order to better their lives. Not after the lies or threats. Not even after the Wall Street Journal reported on their controversial ‘sweatshop’ like factory in Northern Jordan where employees complained of rape, threats, physical violence and over 12-hour workdays. No, Target decided that they’re better off staying the same. Which is why two-weeks ago they fired Tashawna Greene, single mother of a 6-year old daughter, & a leading voice for change within Target in Valley Stream.

As a leading voice for change at Valley Stream Target, Ms.Greene would tell her co-workers they all deserved more respect at work.  She did this while remaining non-disruptive to business activity. Target claimed that Ms. Greene was fired for acting “in an overly hostile, disruptive manner that is inconsistent with Target's policies.” That's a convenient reason for Target. This is yet another repulsive act by a company who repeatedly shows they're not concerned about any repercussions for violating workers' rights.  They have fired Ms. Greene for one reason, her pro-union attitude. She was fired for believing she and her co-workers deserved more from their billion-dollar employer.  Is this the price Target workers must pay for standing up for themselves and fighting for what is right?  Ms. Greene never let her attitude towards the company affect her work. She said, “I believe I was fired because of my participation in the union campaign,” she continued, “Because I'm for the union, they wanted to get rid of me.”

She was fired almost immediately after a Local 1500 union organizer was seen dropping her off at work. The firing of Ms. Greene is another shallow, inconsiderate move by a company who has had nothing but opportunities to do right by their employees. Target continues to take these opportunities to change as opportunities to intimidate and diminish more rights for employees. Local 1500 has filed yet another Unfair Labor Practice Charge with the National Labor Relations Board alleging Ms. Greene was fired for activities with the union.  Target's scare tactics and intimidation continue, 7-weeks after the election in Valley Stream. It's sickening a company can go to this length.  "This won't stop us driving for change, this is what we need to change! This will only make us push harder," an anonymous Target worker said.

Please support Tashawna by signing the petition telling Target to Re-Hire her: http://www.change.org/petitions/manager-tell-target-to-re-hire-tashawna-greene-now

You can write Tashawna messages of support on the Facebook wall or at targetchangeny@gmail.com

 

Related articles

• Michelle Chen: Target Comes Under Fire Around the World (huffingtonpost.com)

Monday Mornin' News Briefs: 8/12-8/15

Steven Greenhouse from the NYTimes: In Strike Verizon, Union trade Barbs.
45,000 workers began their strike against Verizon Communications last Sunday, their unions have repeatedly stressed one point: Verizon’s push for concessions would “destroy middle-class jobs” and “push workers out of the middle class.”

From union-busting at home to labor violations, and alleged sweatshop conditions overseas, Target's honeymoon is over, via Working in These Times.

Islip Patch checks out Aldi in Bayshore, their first Long Island shop.

The Street is wondering what Walmart stands for nowadays, as they are no longer the 'everyday low price'.  What they stand for? Here's a starting point for the people @The Street, low wages, discrimination, destroying small businesses and communities. 

Walmart even made a bid to purchase BJ's Wholesale Club earlier this summer.

In Bristol, CT, Walmart is hunting for more of the grocery business.

Here's Walmart's new "Healthy, Environmental, Sustainable" pitch to New Yorkers, in their mailer to the Park Slope area.

SN: Pressures Face Walmart in NYC.


Walmart continues to buy its way into Brooklyn.
 
Editorial: Walmart's arrival would benefit them, not us...[Amsterdam News]

UFCW Local 23 Kroger workers rejected an offer from the company on Friday.

Bloomberg News: Seven UFCW chapters to vote on strike.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union in Levittown King Kullen was robbed last week.

The Fresh Market continues to expand, opening 2 new stores in the Pittsburgh area.

The closed Stella D'oro factory in the Bronx will become a BJ's Wholesale Club in 2013.

A Penny per a pound, AlterNet asks why won't the "progressive" Trader Joe's sign the agreement not to sell slave tomatoes? [WSJ]

#politics, #elsewhere
On Recall Elections, NYTimes: Wisconsin's Warning to Union-Busters.

Check out how your elected officials voted this year with AFL-CIO's scorecard. 

As economy dips, picket lines on the rise.

Be cautious of what you post on Facebook...

In a recent ground-breaking case, an employee of the American Medical Response of Connecticut was fired for criticism of her supervisor on her Facebook page. The medical technician was accused of violating a policy that bars employees from depicting the company “in any way” on Facebook or other social media sites, among other things.

Fired up, ready to fight: 2011 Jobs with Justice national convention highlights.

A&P Seeks More Time to File Reorganization Plan

Via Supermarket News: 
http://supermarketnews.com/retail_financial/ap_plan_0803/?cid=upd
By: John Springer

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — A&P has asked U.S. Bankruptcy Court here for a second extension of its deadline to submit an exclusive plan of reorganization to its creditors. The retailer in court papers filed this week said the extension — to Jan. 16 of next year from a previous deadline of Dec. 31 — would assure stability through the holiday season giving it "the very best opportunity for a successful exit from Chapter 11." A&P said talks with organized labor over the renegotiation of 34 collective bargaining agreements was at a "crucial stage" while it was pushing ahead with other efforts on its operational turnaround. The exclusivity period allows company management to craft a plan to pay back creditors as opposed to creditor constituencies, which can present their own plans after the deadline. The request to extend also asks the court approve an extension of A&P's exclusive solicitation period through March 16, from an earlier date of Feb. 29.

We will continue to keep you updated, please contact us at 800-522-0456 or info@ufcw1500.org for any questions or comments you may have.

Six H&M Stores Join the UFCW

The UFCW will represent 240 sales clerks at H&M stores in Queens, Brooklyn, White Plans, Yonkers and Staten Island. The workers joined 1,200  existing UFCW members who are mostly based in Manhattan.

"H&M prides itself as an employer who values its associates and presents a positive work environment," said a company spokeswoman, "H&M has a tradition of working with unions around the world, and we are confident that we will continue to build our new relationship with the UFCW."