Support For Unions: Up

The latest results from the 2015 installment of Gallup’s annual Work and Education survey show that Americans’ approval of labor unions has jumped five percentage points to 58% over the past year, and is now at its highest point since 2008, when 59% approved. Consistent with the recent increase in approval of unions, the percentage of Americans saying they would like labor unions to have more influence in the country has also been rising, and now stands at 37%, up from 25% in 2009. Meanwhile, the percentage wanting unions to have less influence has declined from 42% to 35%.

Related articles

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Making Overtime Right, For Everyone

At Local 1500 (and the entire UFCW) we believe that if you do the work, you deserve to be compensated.    

Unfortunately, not everyone has a voice on the job, and every day, millions of Americans work more than 40 hours per week with no pay. That’s because the salary threshold for overtime pay has been raised only once since 1975.

The current salary threshold is $23,660, which is lower than the federal poverty level for a family of four. This outdated system has given corporations a free pass to schedule low-level supervisors and managers for more than 40 hours per week without providing them with any overtime pay. 

But that’s about to change because the U.S. Department of Labor is raising the bar on employers by setting a higher salary threshold for overtime protection so that more salaried workers will be eligible to earn overtime when they work more than 40 hours in one week.  The proposed regulation will increase the overtime salary threshold to $50,440 per year by 2016, and extend overtime protection to almost 5 million additional workers, including those in the food and non-food retail sector. 

The new overtime regulation will benefit workers everywhere and make it harder for employers to misclassify workers as supervisors.  It is the most significant step the Obama Administration can take on its own to address our country’s low-wage, part-time economy, and will improve the standard of living for millions of Americans.

All workers deserve to be compensated for their hard work—so please take a few minutes to show your support by visiting: www.ufcwaction.org/overtime.

Shelf Life Contract Ratified

Today workers from Shelf Life on Long Island ratified a new three year contract. The contract provides wage increases, maintains health benefits, and job security. "Congratulations to the negotiating committee, they fought hard, stuck together and delivered a contract they're proud of," President Bruce W. Both said.

Shelf Life operates on Long Island, New York.

Little Progress on Key Food Negotiations

August 16, 2015 Message to UFCW Members

Local 1500 along with Local 342 and Local 338 met with Key Food last week, marking the fourth meeting in the last month to discuss Key Food's acquisition of 17 A&P stores.

Again, during this meeting little progress was made. To be blunt, Key Food’s proposals are greedy, shortsighted and offensive to all of the hardworking men and women we represent. The company has been insistent in proposing that the the new owner has the right to reduce the pay of all employees, the right to reduce your hours and the right to reduce your health coverage at their own discretion.

Together, our unions have made it clear to Key Food that we will not accept any of concessionary proposals that would result in diminishing the lifestyles of our members. Key Food management has repeatedly been reminded that under the current A&P Term sheets, we have the right to all of our earned benefits and wages in the A&P contract. We expect them to fulfill their obligations under those Term sheets to our members and their families.

We have also made them aware that there are other companies bidding on these same stores that are certainly more than willing to work collectively with our unions than Key Food seems to be. Key Food is simply attempting to prey on the membership like they would a wounded animal. They are trying to take advantage of all of the men and women we represent who have already sacrificed more than enough, and who have done nothing but give their hard work and dedication to a poorly managed company.

Our next step is to continue to sit with Key Food management and try to negotiate a responsible new agreement. We are not obligated in any way to accept their greedy terms. In fact, Key Food is the one that has to make the decision. It’s our responsibility to insure the jobs we bargain for are jobs that will not only provide us with quality benefits and pay, but jobs our families can count on to support them for decades to come. We are exploring all options and you will continue to be notified of all new information. Once the negotiation process concludes, you will make the final decision to approve or reject what they are offering.

Although our priority and our first concern is for our members to continue to work without any loss, it is Local 1500, Local 342 and Local 338’s position that if Key Food was allowed to reduce pay by $5 per hour, reduce hours from 40 to 35 hours per week, and reduce health coverage from family plans to single that the damage would be catastrophic. Clearly our members would have a very hard time, and shouldn't have to exist under those conditions.

The proposed pay and hour cuts would equate to well over $250 per week in lost wages and the difference between a single and family medical plan could be as much as $600 to $700 per month. If that’s not enough, the company also has the arrogance to demand our members begin making a weekly contribution into this new inferior healthcare plan.

These terms are simply unacceptable. We are now more aggressively seeking other companies that are willing to purchase these same stores.

Bargaining with the rest of the employers that have bought A&P stores has not been nearly as disruptive or destructive as Key Food’s proposals are. None of the other companies are asking for our members to sacrifice anything even close to what Key Food is asking for. Why Key Food feels they are entitled to less is something that we can’t explain.

We have scheduled negotiations with other companies throughout next week.

Now that A&P is closing its doors, their stores have become something of a commodity pertaining to market share, and there are a lot of employers out there who are interested in purchasing that share.
Local 1500, Local 342 and Local 338 are not going to pull any punches and hold back any information that is associated with your lives, your contract, and your jobs. So we will continue to bring you updates on any bargaining that will take place next week and keep you updated on store purchases as soon as the information becomes available. Remember, if we stay united we will eventually succeed. 

It is Local 1500, Local 342 and Local 338’s main priority to make sure your jobs remain intact. We are not going into bargaining with a concessionary mindset. The companies that are coming to buy have no excuse to ask for anything less than what they are paying in the industry. Remember, it is our priority and our mission to preserve what we have, to move forward at all costs to avoid layoffs.

We Survive Together, or Not At All.

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative or simply reply to this email. We are here to help you in every way possible.

A&P Files for 1113(e)

Update on A&P Bankruptcy Developments

August 12, 2015

A&P has filed a motion seeking emergency, interim relief to modify its collective bargaining agreements with the UFCW and UFCW/RWDSU Local Unions under Section 1113(e) of the Bankruptcy Code.

A&P has asked that the hearing on the motion be heard before the Bankruptcy Court in White Plains, New York, on Monday, August 17, at 10 a.m.

While bankruptcy law favors companies like A&P, we are going to fight hard in negotiations and in court to protect our members and our contracts.

Your Local Union will be filing strong objections to this motion and opposing it in court because we find it to be totally unfair. You are the heart and soul of this company and have sacrificed more than enough already.

Some of the modifications to our contracts that A&P is seeking include:

• Termination of all bumping provisions. 
•  Severance to workers in stores that are closing will be paid up front, but will not exceed 25% of what is due according to your contract. 

Unfortunately, if the court rules in favor of the company and grants this motion, the modifications to our contracts that the company is seeking would go into effect immediately. Unless there are unusual circumstances, which we do not expect, the order by the judge cannot be appealed.

We understand the stress and concern that this terrible news will bring to you and all of our members.

We will fight tirelessly to make it very clear to A&P and the bankruptcy judge that A&P should honor its responsibilities to you and your families.  

FAQ sheets describing in more detail the 1113(e) bankruptcy process will be distributed to members later today.

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative. We are here to help you in every way possible. 

What is a WARN Notice?

WHAT IS A WARN ACT NOTICE?

A&P has informed the UFCW/RWDSU that it plans to issue WARN notices to all of our members working for the company. Unfortunately, these WARN notices inform workers that they may be laid off within 60-90 days due to store closures.

Workers are required by law in some circumstances to receive a WARN notice when an employer believes that it may no longer employ them. 

What is a WARN Notice? Read the quick fact sheet here.

Private sector employers in New York State that employ more than 50 are required to issue a WARN notice 90 days before closing a plant. They must also notify when there is a layoff that affects 33 percent of the workforce (at least 25 notice to employees, their representatives,workers) or 250 workers from a single employment site. They must send the State Labor Department and local workforce investment partners.

 

The A&P company has indicated that they will be sending out the letters tomorrow (update: letters have been confirmed and sent out) and are having their managers conduct in-store meetings to discuss the notice.

While some of our members may face a layoff at the end of this process, many others will remain working in stores that are sold. At this point our contracts are still in effect.

The company has received bids from Ahold, Albertsons, and Key Foods to buy stores. A list of these stores can be found attached in Exhibit A. At this time, we are currently bargaining with the above companies in anticipation of these bids being successful.

Also attached is Exhibit B. This list shows which stores have not yet received bids from potential buyers. We expect that a number of these stores will eventually be sold. However, at this time, we don’t know which or how many of these stores will be sold.  

Whether your store is being bought by a new employer or closed, we understand the concern and impact that these changes are having upon you and your family. You will be updated as soon as we learn any more information. 

We understand that the uncertainty of this situation is causing enormous stress, but please know we are here to help and support you and your family in every way we can.

Our Union, with the resources and support of the UFCW International/ RWDSU, is fighting to best protect your rights and save as many jobs as possible.  

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your Union Representative.

Exhibit A

#             Store #            Banner                      City State

1             70927                A&P Wall                  Township NJ

2             70205                A&P                           Yorktown NY

3             70620                A&P                           Midland    Park NJ

4             70677                A&P                           Mahwah NJ

5             70408                A&P                           New Providence NJ

6             70233                Superfresh                 Philadelphia PA

7             70787                A&P                           Thornwood NY

8             70479                A&P Fort                   Lee NJ

9             70659                A&P                           Woodcliff Lake NJ

10           70186                A&P                           Yonkers NY

11           70107                A&P                           Mohegan Lake NY

12           70649                A&P                           Denville NJ

13           70640                A&P                           Jersey City NJ

14           72112                Pathmark                    Jersey City NJ

15           70639                A&P                           Allendale NJ

16           70784                A&P                           Crotonon Hudson NY

17           70154                A&P                           Brewster NY

18           70867                A&P                           Kenilworth NJ

19           70650                A&P                           South Plainfield NJ

20           70642                A&P                           Jefferson Township NJ

21           70621                A&P                           Vernon NJ

22           70185                A&P                           Yonkers NY

Exhibit A

#             Store #            Banner                      City State

23           70821                A&P                           Little Silver NJ

24           70606                A&P                           Hoboken NJ

25           70207                A&P                           Goldens Bridge NY

26           70167                A&P                           Hopewell Junction NY

27           72181                Pathmark                    Elmwood Park NJ

28           70768                A&P                           Bronxville NY

29           70864                A&P                           Montclair NJ

30           70874                Superfresh                 Ocean City MD

31           70780                A&P                           Stamford CT

32           70773                A&P                           Bedford NY

33           72190                Pathmark                    Edgewater NJ

34           70164                A&P                           Mahopac NY

35           70826                A&P                           Clark NJ

36           70208                A&P                           Millwood NY

37           70908                A&P                           Ortley Beach NJ

38           70684                A&P                           Sussex NJ

39           70728                A&P                           Rye Brook NY

40           70740                A&P                           Greenwich CT

41           70763                A&P                           Briarcliff Manor NY

42           70456                A&P                           Blairstown NJ

43           70750                A&P                           Riverside CT

44           76710                Pathmark                    Philadelphia PA

Exhibit A

#             Store #            Banner                      City State

45           70766                A&P                          Eastchester NY

46           70664                A&P                           Park Ridge NJ

47           70786                A&P                           Greenburgh NY

48           70189                Superfresh                 Haverton PA

49           70153                A&P                           Shrub Oak NY

50           70761                A&P                           West New York NJ

51           70516                A&P                           New Rochelle NY

52           70094                A&P                           Pleasant Valley NY

53           70500                A&P                           New Canaan CT

54           70626                A&P                           Tinton Falls NJ

55           72178                Pathmark                    Weehawken NJ

56           70811                A&P                           Old Bridge NJ

57           72194                Pathmark                    Bergenfield NJ

58           70471                Superfresh                 Manahawkin NJ

59           70391                A&P                           Saddle Brook NJ

60           72186                Pathmark                    Newark NJ

61           70252                Superfresh                 Richboro PA

62           70584                Superfresh                 Wilmington DE

63           70730                Superfresh                 Philadelphia PA

64           70477                Superfresh                 Ocean City NJ

65           72587                Pathmark                    Ventnor NJ

66           76725                Pathmark                    Philadelphia PA

Exhibit A

#             Store #            Banner                      City State

67           70747                Superfresh                 Philadelphia PA

68           70801                A&P                           Warrenville NJ

69           70559                Superfresh                 Rehoboth DE

70           72590                Pathmark                    Newark DE

71           72586                Pathmark                    Wilmington DE

72           70474                Superfresh                 Wildwood NJ

73           76585                Pathmark                    Boothwyn PA

74           70293                Superfresh                 Wynnewood PA

75           70294                Superfresh                 Gladwynne PA

76           70588                Superfresh                 Newark DE

77           70226                A&P                           Mt Kisco NY

78           72270                Pathmark                    South Orange NJ

79           72633                Pathmark                    Franklin Square NY

80           72608                Pathmark                    Greenvale NY

81           72667                Pathmark                    Bronx NY

82           72647                Pathmark                    Bronx NY

83           72619                Pathmark                    Brooklyn NY

84           72638                Pathmark                    Brooklyn NY

85           72616                Pathmark                    Jamaica NY

86           72626                Pathmark                    Ozone Park NY

87           72622                Pathmark                    Whitestone NY

88           70658                Waldbaums               Long Beach NY

Exhibit A

#             Store #           Banner                        City State

89           70465              Waldbaums                 Massapequa NY

90           72625              Pathmark                     Seaford NY

91           70260              Waldbaums                 Southampton NY

92           70452              Waldbaums                 Baldwin NY

93           70651              Waldbaums                 Howard Beach NY

94           70236              Waldbaums                 Huntington NY

95           72685              Pathmark                     Staten Island NY

96           70257              Waldbaums                 Easthampton NY

97           70616              Waldbaums                 Bell Harbor NY

98           72661              Pathmark                     Bronx NY

99           70632              Waldbaums                 Bay Terrace NY

100         70695              A&P                             Closter NJ

101         72284              Pathmark                     Kinnelon NJ

102         59502              Food Basics                Paterson NJ

103         70295              Waldbaums                 Flushing NY

104         70657              Waldbaums                 Bayside NY

105         70669              Waldbaums                 Albertson NY

106         59504              Food Basics               Glen Rock NJ

107         70655              Waldbaums                 Glen Head NY

108         70762              A&P                             Bronx NY

109         70442              Waldbaums                 Howard Beach NY

110         36715              Food Emporium          New York NY

Exhibit A

#             Store #              Banner                     City State

111         70749                 A&P                          Harrison NY

112         59524                 Food Basics             Fairview NJ

113         70296                 Waldbaums              Brooklyn NY

114         70641                 Waldbaums              Jackson Heights NY

115         72637                 Pathmark                  Brooklyn NY

116         70292                 Waldbaums              South Flatbush NY

117         70613                 Waldbaums              Glen Oaks NY

118         70849                 Waldbaums              Rosebank NY

Exhibit B

#             Store #              Banner                     City State

1             19129                 A&P                          Old Lyme CT

2             19243                 A&P                          New Canaan CT

3             70586                 Superfresh               New Castle DE

4             72593                 Pathmark                  New Castle DE

5             70888                 A&P                          Ocean City MD

6             59512                 Food Basics             North Bergen NJ

7             70638                 A&P                          Pompton Lks NJ

8             70439                 A&P                          Wash. Twp NJ

9             70441                 A&P                          Old Tappan NJ

10           70685                 A&P                          W Milford NJ

Exhibit B

#             Store #              Banner                     City State

11           70701                 A&P                          Woodland Park NJ

12           37866                 A&P                          Pt Pleasant NJ

13           70887                 A&P                          N Brunswick NJ

14           37995                 A&P                          Palis. Park NJ

15           72114                 Pathmark                  Jersey City NJ

16           72198                 A&P Live Better     Fair Lawn NJ

17           19918                 A&P                          New York, NY

18           70794                 A&P                          Vley Cottage NY

19           70232                 Waldbaums              West Hampton NY

20           70769                 A&P                          Hast. Huds NY

21           36732                 Food Emporium       New York NY

22           70813                 Waldbaums              Staten Is. NY

23           72171                 Pathmark                  Staten Island NY

24           72297                 Pathmark                  Port Chester NY

25           72602                 Pathmark                  Bay Shore NY

26           72603                 Pathmark                  New York NY

27           72609                 Pathmark                  New York NY

28           72611                 Pathmark                  East Rockaway NY

29           72615                 Pathmark                  North Babylon NY

30           72644                 Pathmark                  West Babylon NY

31           72664                 Pathmark                  Dix Hills NY

32           72678                 Pathmark                  Staten Island NY

Exhibit B

#             Store #              Banner                     City State

33           72679                 Pathmark                  Staten Island NY

34           72682                 Pathmark                  Staten Island NY

35           70223                 Waldbaums              Garden City NY

36           70229                 Waldbaums              Ctr Moriches NY

37           70241                 Waldbaums              N Patchogue NY

38           70275                 Waldbaums              College Pt. NY

39           70277                 Waldbaums              E. Setauket NY

40           70601                 Waldbaums              Stony Brook NY

41           70611                 Waldbaums              Rocky Point NY

42           70617                 Waldbaums              Great Neck NY

43           70434                 Waldbaums              East Meadow NY

44           70699                 Waldbaums              Deer Park NY

45           36703                 Food Emporium       New York NY

46           36706                 Food Emporium       New York NY

47           36707                 Food Emporium       New York NY

48           36708                 Food Emporium       New York NY

49           36711                 Food Emporium       New York NY

50           36727                 Food Emporium       New York NY

51           36742                 Food Emporium       New York NY

52           36777                 Food Emporium       New York NY

53           36783                 Food Emporium       New York NY

54           70718                 Superfresh               New Hope PA

Exhibit B

#             Store #              Banner                     City State

55           72529                 Pathmark                  Fairless Hills PA

56           72568                 Pathmark                  Upper Darby PA

57           72649                 Pathmark                  New Hyde Park NY

58           72604                 Pathmark                  Por tJefferson  NY

59           19106                 A&P                          Newington CT

60           19110                 A&P                          Mystic CT

61           19119                 A&P                          Newington CT

62           19121                 A&P                          Waterford CT

63           19246                 A&P                          Riverside CT

64           19254                 A&P                          Ridgefield CT

65           70194                 A&P                          Peekskill NY

66           70003                 A&P                          Arthursburg NY

67           59036                 Food Basics             Paterson NJ

68           70074                 A&P Live Better     Danbury CT

69           19104                 A&P                          Bristol CT

70           70126                 A&P                          Patterson NY

71           70417                 A&P                          BaskingRidge NJ

72           59506                 Food Basics             Belleville NJ

73           59510                 Food Basics             Philadelphia PA

74           59530                 Food Basics             Philadelphia PA

75           70263                 Waldbaums              Mattituck NY

76           59501                 Food Basics             Passaic NJ

Exhibit B

#             Store #              Banner                     City State

77           37602                 A&P                          Hackettstown NJ

78           70610                 A&P                          Boonton NJ

79           70618                 A&P                          Fairview NJ

80           37661                 A&P                          Westwood NJ

81           70668                 A&P                          Wayne NJ

82           70688                 A&P                          Randolph NJ

83           70752                 A&P                          Bloomfield NJ

84           70515                 A&P                          Edison NJ

85           70806                 A&P                          Califon NJ

86           70807                 A&P                          Washington NJ

87           37814                 A&P                          Summit NJ

88           37872                 A&P                          Metuchen NJ

89           70936                 A&P                          Belvidere NJ

90           70802                 A&P                          Bricktown NJ

91           70895                 A&P                          Fanwood NJ

92           37905                 A&P                          Haskell NJ

93           70924                 A&P                          Navesink NJ

94           70956                 A&P                          Marlboro NJ

95           70949                 A&P                          Clinton NJ

96           70951                 A&P                          Hackettstown NJ

97           37993                 A&P                          Ledgewood NJ

98           70982                 Superfresh               Philadelphia PA

Exhibit B

#             Store #              Banner                      City State

99           72153                 Pathmark                  Hackensack NJ

100         72223                 Pathmark                  Newark NJ

101         72224                 Pathmark                  Irvington NJ

102         72261                 Pathmark                  Landing NJ

103         72280                 Pathmark                  Montclair NJ

104         72282                 Pathmark                  Parsippany NJ

105         72286                 Pathmark                  Woodport NJ

106         72288                 Pathmark                  Elizabeth NJ

107         72292                 Pathmark                  Nanuet NY

108         72293                 Pathmark                  Yonkers NY

109         72298                 Pathmark                  Yonkers NY

110         72299                 Pathmark                  Ramsey NJ

111         72436                 Pathmark                  Middlesex NJ

112         72450                 Pathmark                  Garwood NJ

113         72522                 A&P Live Better     Philadelphia PA

114         72527                 Pathmark                  Hopelawn NJ

115         72528                 Pathmark                  Wyncote PA

116         72532                 Pathmark                  Philadelphia PA

117         72550                 Pathmark                  Philadelphia PA

118         72552                 Pathmark                  Philadelphia PA

119         72553                 Pathmark                  Philadelphia PA

120         72556                 Pathmark                  Philadelphia PA

Exhibit B

#             Store #              Banner                      City State

121         72557                 Pathmark                  Philadelphia PA

122         72558                 Pathmark                  Brookhaven PA

123         72569                 Pathmark                  Glenolden PA

124         72573                 Pathmark                  Hazlet NJ

125         72578                 Pathmark                  Brick NJ

126         72580                 Pathmark                  Avenel NJ

127         72600                 Pathmark                  Brentwood NY

128         72614                 Pathmark                  Patchogue NY

129         72624                 Pathmark                  Brooklyn NY

130         72634                 Pathmark                  Brooklyn NY

131         72639                 Pathmark                  Islip NY

132         72641                 Pathmark                  Holbrook NY

133         72642                 Pathmark                  Brooklyn NY

134         72646                 Pathmark                  Shirley NY

135         72652                 Pathmark                  Massapequa NY

136         72653                 Pathmark                  Bethpage NY

137         70214                 Waldbaums              Hauppauge NY

138         70235                 Waldbaums              Brooklyn NY

139         70240                 Waldbaums              Brooklyn NY

140         70251                 Waldbaums              Lindenhurst NY

141         70256                 Waldbaums              Massapequa NY

Exhibit B

#             Store #              Banner                      City State

142         70270                 Waldbaums              Whitestone NY

143         70279                 Waldbaums              Merrick NY

144         70288                 Waldbaums              Oakdale NY

145         70289                 Waldbaums              Jericho NY

146         70298                 Waldbaums              Melville NY

147         70662                 Waldbaums              Selden NY

148         70203                 Waldbaums              Commack NY

149         70217                 Waldbaums              Greenlawn NY

150         70151                 A&P                          Mamaroneck NY

151         70192                 A&P                          Scarsdale NY

152         59503                 Food Basics             Brooklyn NY

153         72610                 Pathmark                  New York NY