What's News This Week: Arrests, Car Wash, Target Job Cuts

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Elected Officials, UFCW International President Arrested at Brooklyn Car Wash Solidarity Rally

 

In a show of solidarity for striking workers, two Brooklyn councilmen along with RWDSU President and UFCW President were arrested for blocking traffic in an act of civil disobedience.  The car wash workers are victims of wage theft.  Last November, the owner of Vegas Auto Spa in Park Slope alleged he stole more than $600,000 from workers.  Workers recently voted to join the RWDSU.

 

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WHAT'S NEWS THIS WEEK   1. Kroger's Market Share Grows in 18 Areas   Kroger Co. is giving Walmart a run for its money. In fiscal 2014 Kroger gained market share in 18 of 20 markets tracked by Nielsen, and Walmart is a major player in 15 of those markets, Kroger said in a conference call with analysts on Thursday.    Related:  Kroger Beats Wall Street Expectations, Shares Rise   Lower fuel prices, better-than-expected inventory charges and a solid core operating result all boosted Q4 earnings to $1.04 a share.     2. Ahold to Lay Off 120 in Central Offices   As part of an internal restructuring effort, Ahold announced its eliminating jobs in Carlisle, Pa., and Quincy, Mass.   Related: Stop & Shop Asks for Feedback on Store Brands   Joe Kelley, Out as President of Stop & Shop's New England Division

3. U.S. Adds 295k Jobs in February- Jobless Rate Falls to 5.5%   Related: Two charts show why the job market is still hurting.

4. City Reaches Deal with Building Trades   The de Blasio administration reached a project labor agreement with the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater NY, covering $3.5 billion of work and repairs at the NYC Housing Authority over the next three years.

5. NY Papa John's Franchisee to Pay $2M for Wage Theft   The owner of five Harlem Papa John's Pizza franchises underpaid his delivery workers by millions of dollars, according to a criminal suit filed by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

6. Wisconsin, Round Two: Walker Attacks Private Sector Workers   The Presidential candidate is making his rounds attacking workers.  What happens nationally if he does get elected?

7. Fresh Market will exit California by 3/31   The North Carolina chains troubled expansion will close its California stores by the end of the month.

8. Target Plans to Eliminate 'Several Thousand' Jobs   More @ SN News   Related: Target turns to Hispanic Shoppers for Salvation

9. Whole Foods: Positioned for Success -  Analysts   Analysts are high on Whole Foods for the next few years.

10. Organics are taking off at Costco   Evolving with the times, Costco is increasing its organic offerings.

11. 395 Voting Restrictions Have Been Introduced in 49 States since 2011   Clearly voting rights are under attack.   Related: Very interesting read and plan: How Oregon Hopes to Register Every Eligible Voter     12. UFCW 1500 March Newsletter, Now Online   Read the latest edition of the Register, featuring stories on Fairway negotiations, Stop & Shop and King Kullen negotiations, and much more from your union, UFCW Local 1500.   Related: UFCW General Membership Meeting: March 11th     13. Thousands of Grad Students at Columbia, Brown, Yale, Seek to Form a Union   “I’m Anna. I’m in the history department. I want a union because I want to be able to do this work I love and have a safety net.”   14. NYT Editorial of the Week: Walmart's Visible Hand     Elsewhere & Out There:   Self-Driving cars will be in 30 U.S. cities by end of 2016   Editorial: Charter Schools Do Not Equal Education Reform   Coalition of Immokalee Workers Take Aim at Wendy's   Federal Regulators Link Workers Comp Failures to Income Inequality   Thank You: It's often a thankless job, so we'd like to say, thank you. And thank you for being a subscriber.

 

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