Top 13 Stories This Week: Target, Stop and Shop, King Kullen and Walmart

1. Stop & Shop and King Kullen negotiating committees reach tentative agreements...Vote scheduled for Monday.  

[Check coverage from Newsday, Westfair, Progressive Grocer Supermarket News]

Find voting times and locations here.

2.  Aldi announced plans to open 650 stores in the next five years. Wow.

3.  With Yucapia as the new owner, Fresh & Easy is already changing.

4.  Over 400,000 no, over 40 million Target customers' credit / debit cards were stolen in a data breach.  Here's how customers are reacting. Forbes calls Target's reaction to customers a PR Nightmare. More on data breaches at retailers from Time.

5.  Amazon may get their first labor union in the U.S., as a warehouse in Delaware preps for a vote that will be watched nationally. If you remember, workers in Germany have gone on strike several times this year (and will continue to in 2014), and have even gone so far as holding demonstrations at the company HQ in Seattle.

6.  Not only would a guaranteed minimum wage increase could eliminate poverty for all, a new study shows it would create jobs. 1 in 10 people working Full-Time are still poor.

7. Walmart is being fined again, this time over $4.7 million dollars, for wage theft.

8. Fairway is holding hourly prize give-a-ways until Christmas.

9.  Whole Foods is pulling Chobani yogurt and they're upping their goal from 1,000 to 1,200 stores in the US.

10.  Brooklyn's Food Pantry is struggling to help fill the gap left by SNAP cuts (food stamps).  You've heard us talk about this before, 47 million people rely on SNAP, cutting it has put us on a dangerous road. Check out why at HungerCliff.

11. Another change was made to the ACA today.

12. Our friends at The Brandworkers, are fighting with workers from Amy's Bread in Queens. Check out the workers campaign for better wages, healthcare and job security here.

13. Chart of the week: Being in a Union Raises Women's Pay 12.9 percent.

Quick Hits: Fast-Food workers at the Smithsonian have unionized. Ikea has been spying on their employees for a long time, DC passed a minimum wage increase, President Obama said Immigration Reform is at the top of the list for his presidency, and The US South is finally coming around on unions.

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Thursday Morning One Liners: Aldi grows, Walmart still Fails.

Aldi, a store that typically employs 13-30 part-timers, is replacing a former Pathmark on Nostrand Ave. in Brooklyn.  The store will open October 2013.  More @ The Brooklyn Daily.

Retailwire is watching Aldi grow in NYC...quietly.

The neighborhood surrounding Cherry St. Pathmark held a rally in opposition to the recently announced plans to close the grocery store.

Now that Long Island City Pathmark closed their doors, Food Bazaar announced they'll open up a new LIC store.

Walmart workers across nine states and 12 cities went on strike this week.  They also announced they'll do the same thing on Black Friday, if the company doesn't change.  Read more @ Business Insider.

Denver chooses good jobs, not another Walmart development.

The CEO of Westgate Resorts wrote an interesting email to all of his employees Monday, "You'll likely be fired if Obama is Re-elected."

Morning Read: I've got 99 Walmart Problems

600 people rallied in Chicago supporting Walmart warehouse workers who are calling for change.  What does Walmart do? Hires private security in riot gear to confront their workers' on the job safety issues, sexual discrimination issues, pay....then has 17 employees arrested for peaceful protesting.

Elsewhere, while the Presidential Debate will leave Colorado tonight, the Walmart debate on whether the small business killing retailer should build a new store near the university rages on.

More Walmart Problems: Walmart is welcomed in Fall River, but local unions are upset they're building it non-union.

Walmart women in Tennessee are paid less than men (of course they are), they filed suit against the company.

The UFCW International brought former Walmart workers to Wall Street to speak to analysts about company problems, safety issues.

As we mentioned last year, Aldi inked a lease to open their first store in Manhattan- This week they opened the doors in Harlem.  30 jobs are estimated to be created.  More @ Supermarket News.

Target begins hiring in Canada, after purchasing the overwhelmingly unionized Zellers chain, they won't be hiring union.

June 2012 General Membership Recap

Local 1500 members gathered last Wednesday (06/13/12) for the June General Membership meeting.  Below is a quick abbreviated update on what was covered during the meeting.

• Financial report from May 2012 as well as Executive Board minutes were read. 

• President Both began his speech informing members that Pathmark in Long Island City would be closing as a result of A&P's continued financial problems.  He explained the union and representatives are working diligently to answer any questions and explain the bumping process, encouraging any member with any question contact the union as soon as possible.  Both showed a short video on union solidarity from UFCW Local 400.  He then spoke about the union's efforts to organize non-union stores throughout the jurisdiction.  Updated members on UFCW Local 1189's organizing drive against Aldi, a company that continues to expand throughout our jurisdiction and informed the membership he and Assistant to the President Pat Purcell have already traveled to the German Embassy in New York City to meet with the German Consulate on Aldi's poor labor practices.  President Both then updated the members on current events in the Valley Stream Target campaign, informing the members the National Labor Relations Board had overturned the union election at Target and found that Target violated a number of federal labor laws.  He then showed a clip from Target Corp.'s anti-union video.
  
  
• Union Representative Vilmarie Solivan spoke about staying in touch with your union.  Outlining a number of ways to keep in contact with the union including:
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Email
• Text Alerts: Text 'ufcw' to 69302
• Phone: 800-522-0456
•  Union Representative Rob Ecker spoke about two exciting fundraising events in July and August.  

• Monday July 23, 2012: Brooklyn Cyclones game! $40 for all you can eat/drink and a ball game!
• Brooklyn Cyclones game August 30, 2012 at 7PM for $5  UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce Both will throw out the first pitch!  All proceeds will go the Local 1500 Charity Fund!
• For tickets or more info send us an email!

• Assistant to the President Pat Purcell gave a Political and Organizing update to the members, thanking those who signed the petition to raise New York's minimum wage.  He gave in-depth details, thanking the Local 1500 members for their help bringing Target Corp.'s business ethics and poor labor practices to the public eye.

UFCW 1500 Secretary-Treasurer Tony Speelman

• Secretary-Treasurer Tony Speelman closed the meeting speaking about the importance of Local 1500 members getting involved with their union.  He specifically promoted the Local 1500 annual Blood Drive and BBQ on July 11th asking all members to come by, enjoy a BBQ and do good for their community!

For any questions or further info on the meeting please email us.

What's up on Tuesday News: Recall Walker.

Quote of the day:
"we can do whatever we want, we're a corporation" 

-Target Official on making absurd rules on where workers can and can't discuss unions. 

Gawker gives some highlights of Target's illegal actions during last year's union election.  Some of our favorites that make your head shake:

Casolino told her that they could not speak there “because you are talking about the union.” At that time Waddy asked if they could speak across the street, and Casolino replied “not if you are talking about the same thing. The whole mall would have a problem with it.”4 Waddy answered that he could not “mandate” what his employees speak about, and Casolino replied that “we can do whatever we want, we’re a corporation.” Waddy said “the whole mall? Really?” Casolino laughed and asked them to leave

One thing you need to think about very seriously is that we have ALMOST 1800 STORES and 350,000 TEAM MEMBERS. We would have no difficulty hiring PERMANENT REPLACEMENTS for ECONOMIC STRIKERS. Unions like to call a strike an “economic war.” The 260 TMs [team members] here against 350,000 does not feel like good odds to me. I repeat 260 against 350,000... (Emphasis in original)

PR Watch asks if Scott Walker get a Pink-Slip, Orange Jump Suit or Second Chance?

Today is Recall Walker Day!  Union members throughout the country are volunteering their time at phone banks and at home with AFL-CIO's online pilot program to GOTV and recall Governor Walker.

Not everybody is making calls from a phone bank. More than 600 people have signed up for the AFL-CIO’s online pilot program, the Friends and Neighbors tool to make calls from home. Go to http://wisconsinfan.aflcio.org/users/login to sign up.

UFCW members are doing their part to GOTV, check it out @ UFCW Blog.

VOTE: The 2012 election is upon us. The stakes for workers couldn’t be higher. CEOs and special interests are dumping millions of dollars into races across the country to help elect anti-worker candidates.  June is UFCW Voter Protection Month! Check it out and get involved!

AlterNet: Workers win battle over Stop & Shop in Social Media case.

More kids are living in poverty in the U.S. than elsewhere...check out this stunning study.

Trader Joe's is opening their first store in Albany this summer.

Walmart shareholder votes show a serious unrest; 40% of public shareholders (not Waltons or execs/board members) voted no on Scott; ~32% voted no on Duke

Walmart discloses shareholder lawsuit details @ WSJ.

Second year in a row, Survey names Aldi low-price grocer of the year.


Gourmet Retailer: Fairway adds 2nd NJ Store.

Monday Mornin' News Bites

Stop & Shop is now filling Pet prescriptions.

The Daily Kos has a good article, 36 ways a union improved your life.

Supermarket News reported all Walmart Directors have been reelected, amidst bribery controversy.
More @ Reuters.

Washington Post: Walmart's proxy vote totals show dissent against CEO and other execs.

Thomas Duane is leaving the NY Senate after 14 years.

A&P CEO Sam Martin was on Fox Business News discussing A&P's comeback and rebound.

Aldi plans on opening on Route 9, Poughkeepsie, this Fall.

Working in These Times looks at labor & Social Media, writes on our victory against Stop & Shop's policy.

The Fresh Market is killing it, analysts call it Whole Foods 2.0.

Monday Morning One-Liners: Aldi, Fresh Market Expansion, Food is up at Target

Giant & Safeway have agreed to 19-month long contracts due to the uncertainty of Obama's health care plan.

[The] unusual duration of 19 months, a period during which both sides hope to gain more visibility into the potential financial impacts of changes set to take place as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), the sweeping changes in national health care policy approved two years ago.

A nice little commentary in the Washington Post on new laws expanding workers' rights.

The Canadian Heritage minister has ordered a Cultural Investigation into Target, to ensure the company will provide cultural benefits to the country.

Last week Delhaize Group said it would issue $300 million in new debt in part to fund the repurchase of debts in Europe.

Food sales are up at Target.

A new Aldi will be opening in Lindenhurst NY, in 2013.  This Thursday is the grand opening of their Lake Grove-Smithtown shop.

Stop & Shop gives a big passover gift to a Queens pantry.

In Springfield, Mass. the city sent layoff warnings to 13 unions.

American Rights at Work unveiled a new blog, Union Shop- a guide to buy all things union made!

Fresh Market is planing on opening 16 new stores this year expanding as far as California.

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.

Thursday News Recaps @ Noon: Tengelmann A&P Exit Expected, New Fairway Markets

#A&P
Eight (8) former Superfresh stores (parent, A&P) were taken over by Fresh & Green's, some stores have already opened, while a few are still under renovations.

REPORT: Tengelmann Group to exit A&P in bankruptcy process...

A&P launched a new brand of organic local chickens....More @PhillyBlurbs.

#TargetChange
Target will offer groceries and fresh food in Canada. More @CTV.  The Wall Street Journal predicts their Canadian entry will affect other American retailers there.

Long Island Herald: Labor Board Reviews Target Valley Stream Union Vote.

Target told Valley Stream employees they couldn't afford to give raises to them...But they did find a way to spend $760,000 on lobbying in 1Q.

#WalmartNYC
Walmart cozies up to Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

The Brooklyn Rail: No Place for Walmart.

Walmart in New York City is far from inevitable. As one market analyst put it, Walmart needs New York City more than New York City needs Walmart, thus echoing the views of other company watchers. The company has grown desperate, but its urban growth strategy in still largely untested and unproven. So opponents feel that they can escalate their campaign and make it much harder for Walmart to come in.

Great Read: Bloomberg News: With Walmart's Sex Suit Win, The Jokes on Women.


#Elsewhere/Industry

Albertsons announced last week they'll be removing their self checkouts in order to focus on more customer service.

Fairway Market is making lease deals to open a store in Passaic County in New Jersey and another in South Shore in Nassau County next year. The grocery chain will also open a store in Rockland County in 2013.  Read more @ Wall Street Journal.

In Amityville, NY, a new Stop & Shop is currently being built, though the sign color scheme was not allowed according to a town law, the town's planning board has just OK'd the new color scheme. [Newsday]

Stop & Shop also debuted 'Scan IT! Mobile', allowing shoppers to complete their entire purchase on their iphone.

In the wake of two closing supermarkets in Greenburgh, NY, two more will open this year. [lohud]

Aldi wants to open up in Buffalo (NY), but some law makers are skeptical on it drawing business away from small, local shops.


Ahold has named a new pharmacy SVP.

Thousands of SoCal Union members are supporting grocery workers fighting for a new contract.

Here's an update on California UFCW negotiations....[KDAF] [LA Times]

An HBO Documentary of the Stella D'Oro strike is being released, telling the workers story. 

Via UFCW: MoveOn.org is launching a new effort--and they need our help. The goal is to help create a "Contract for the American Dream"—a people-powered plan for creating an economy that works for ALL of us. UFCW members and allies can play a key role in this effort: helping to choose the best ideas for fixing our economy.

Tuesday Morning News Briefs: 4/16-4/19

In Greenburgh, the town is offering free shuttles to ShopRite once a week, in order to deal with the town's two A&P supermarket closures.

Developer seeks money back from A&P...

A&P has listed the 25 SuperFresh stores for sale.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission here said Wal-Mart has agreed to pay $440,000 to settle a federal harassment lawsuit by 10 employees who said they endured ethnic slurs and derogatory remarks on a daily basis while working at a Sam's Club in Fresno, Calif.

Here's a shocker to some, Target beats Whole Foods in sustainably seafood rankings.

In Massachusetts where a controversial Whole Foods is being planned in a low income area, it was recently discovered a task force official sitting on the Town's Board of Directors is actually employed by Whole Foods.  Whole Foods has also made donations to the town board.  The Wall Street Journal has more on the fight.


D'Agostino's has some new Earth Day plans.

Racked says if you're worried about a Walmart in NYC, there's already a German one in Queens, Aldi.

Walmart workers get $440K after racial slurs.


Walmart also bought a Social Media Firm, Kosmix.  Business Insider tells us why they spent $300 million to buy a Social Media firm.

Don't let Stop & Shop tell you their economic woes, the parent company announced they're investing $4 million to revamp their corporate offices in Quincy, Mass.  More @ Boston Herald.

They [Stop & Shop] also opened a new store in New Haven last week.  And here in New York, they've donated 1,000 pounds of food to the Queens Jewish Community Council for Passover.

NY Industry News Briefs: 4/6-4/7

Image via Wikipedia

Forbes observes while Walmart and Target are changing to smaller format stores for more 'urban appeal', Aldi has the upper hand, as demonstrated in Queens.  Forbes.com.

Progressive Grocer was at the grand opening of Food Town in Williamsburg.

Stop & Shop celebrated their 21st anniversary.

A&P is suing Stop & Shop for allegedly  hiring a former executive, Rocky Vitale.

In D.C., Walmart protesters disrupted a City Council session.

Speaking of Walmart, it was announced recently they're the least loved department store on Social Media.

In San Diego, where Walmart is also spending millions of dollars to gain support to open a store, a bill passed requiring new "superstores" (90,000 sqft or more) to conduct economic impact analysis studies, part of the permit process.  Read more @ Sign on San Diego.

The UFCW rallied for justice for Fresh and Easy workers in California.

BJ's CEO Laura Sen made $4M this year.

From New Jersey: A&P Barnegat scheduled to close this month, the company is mum on workers.  Real estate owners say another tenant, possibly a supermarket may fill the vacant space.

In Wisconsin, voters are coming out against Gov. Scott Walker's candidates. 


The City canned plans to pave the Coney Island boardwalk with cement.

Monday Afternoon One Liners: Happy Valentines Day, JPMorgan Downgrades Walmart,

This weekend, hundreds lined up to meet Martha Stewart at Fairway in Stamford, Connecticut.

Times Square Gossip says A&P is ripping off New Yorkers.

#WalmartNYC

Brooklyn Eagle: Mom & Pop stores Protest Walmart.

Fight against Walmart has stepped up.

Walmart Won't Fix New York, New Yorkers Will...[Huffington Post]

Brooklyn Paper: ShopRite wants to beat Walmart to Gateway II.

NY Mag: Brooklyn, Who would you rather have ShopRite or Walmart?

Walmart continues push toward urban domination.

NYTimes: With Walmart silent on plans, critics turn to rumored site.

Walmart Stores shares drop hard after JPMorgan downgrade.

Business Insider: Walmart's Reign is Over.

Elsewhere:

In our weekly, "Thanks, Walmart" spot, an interesting story, Walmart sells a fake ipad, then refuses to refund his money.  Now the customer is suing Walmart.  Check the story at The Consumerist.

Walmart's Massmart bid has cleared the first hurdle (South Africa). More @ New York Times.

A&P's Senior VP and CFO has resigned.

Michael J. Wilson, the National Director of Americans for Democratic Action has an excellent editorial in the Huffington Post titled "Changing the Rules for Workers"

It's no surprise that Republicans and their corporate allies are up to their old games. Or, to paraphrase Ronald Reagan, "There they go again!" Having successfully blocked congressional efforts to strengthen the right of workers to organize a union, they now want to stop workers from learning their rights under weak existing labor law.

Last week, workers at JBS ratified their first union contract with UFCW Local 1776.

Some people are happy that Aldi is not selling Tobacco.

The NY Post doesn't have much to write about notices that Aldi hasn't gotten the New York "Walmart" treatment.

BJ's Wholesale Club is under 'investor investigation' over takeover bid rumors.

Big Y is in talks with a Connecticut town over taking a former ShopRite site.

A new fuel cell in a Stop & Shop store located in Connecticut has made the store 90% more 'greener'.  [S&S Press Release]

AFL-CIO Blog: Show some Union love on Valentines Day.

Mid Week One Liners: Wage Theft Pevention Passes, Walmart looks to conquer South Africa

New York Legislature Passes Historic Wage Theft Protection Act: 

The Wage Theft Prevention Act (S8380/Savino - A11726/Heastie), has now passed both houses protecting thousands of hard-working men and women from unscrupulous employers who steal their earnings by paying less than minimum wage, misclassifying them as independent contractors, forcing them to work off the clock and various other schemes. This important legislation will increase penalties and strengthen enforcement of laws protecting workers from nonpayment and underpayment of wages.

Aldi rolls out larger stores, up to 18,000 square feet.

On Tuesday, the Senate passed the sweeping Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act by a 73-25 vote, setting the stage for reconciliation with a similar House version that passed last year. Now, there are reports saying the bill may hit a snag and get delayed.

New York City Council is planning on debating the impact a Walmart would have opening a store within NYC.  They'll be discussing the affects Walmart will have on small business and neighborhoods among other things.  The hearing is set for December 14.  Walmart has recently solicited black leaders for assistance getting into NYC.

More @ The Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

Meanwhile in Washington D.C.,  Mom 'n Pop stores are afraid of Walmart.

Fairway is waiting to hear back from NYC for permission to put up signs for their Douglaston store, which plans on opening in the spring of 2011.

Walmart looks to conquer Africa as they offered to acquire 51% of the shares of Massmart Holdings Limited, the diversified South African retailer, for about $2.4 billion.

More: South Africa wakes up to Walmart.

Business Week: Walmart CEO Mike Duke talks to Charlie Rose.

Trader Joe's is opening their fourth Chicago store.

CVS is voluntarily pulling their reusable bags.

Monday's One Liners: Walmart Woos Al Sharpton...

Alec Baldwin stars in a new Wegman's commercial. More on his love for Wegman's @ Buffalo News.

UFCW Campaign Goes Global: The United Nation's International Labour Organization (ILO) found that Canada and Ontario, through Ontario's ban on farm unions, are in violation of basic human rights' provisions under two United Nations' conventions.

The Albany Times Union covers UFCW's organizing drive at a Capital Region Price Chopper, formerly Penn Traffic.

A new Shop-Rite is rumored to be opening in the Capital Region (Albany).

This weekend, ALDI, who is looking to grow their North East presence, opened their first store in Pittsburgh.

UFCW Local 21(Seattle) has reached a tentative agreement with Allied Employers, just in time for Thanksgiving week.  More @ SN.

Walmart's new Ads highlight their
"generous" donations to nonprofits in NYC

Walmart is putting tremendous effort into opening stores in NYC, last month, they hired a former Bloomberg aide, and now Crain's NY reports: Walmart solicits black leaders for help in NYC. Unsurprisingly, they're also advertising on the same page the article is posted on with this ad [right] citing their donations to nonprofits in NYC.

Looking to strengthen its hand in any battle against unions and elected officials over its planned entry into the New York City market, Walmart has launched an effort to win over local black leaders.

The Walmart Guru, or Czar, Al Norman, wrote an excellent response citing all of Walmart's PR moves to get "inner-city support" throughout the country: Walmart's Wooing of Al Sharpton.

They have done this in Chicago, where the retailer enlisted black Aldermen to embrace their cause, and in New Orleans, where developers actually paid black religious leaders to testify at public hearings about the virtues of chain stores. Now they are mining the black community in New York City.

Wal-Mart apparently feels that opinion leaders in the minority community can be purchased at an everyday low price, and that black stakeholders can become Wal-Mart sign-holders. But community leaders of any color who believe that Wal-Mart creates new jobs, don’t understand what the economic libertarians call creative destructionism–the process of destroying existing jobs in order to create ‘new’ ones. The former employees at Circuit City, for example, understand this dynamic.

No amount of good works or philanthropy can clean the hands of the “filthy rich,” or cover over the global exploitation of human resources that lies at the heart of Wal-Mart’s success

Is Mayor Bloomberg supporting a Walmart?


Walmart is losing shoppers, not trips.

Newsweek covers the eating by class in America: What Food Says About Class in America.

The 86-Page report by the NYC Council which analyzes all aspects of New York's Food Industry, entitled "Food Works" was released today.

SN covers the lead and reusable bags problems.  At least two retailers pulled bags for the time being, one of them was King Kullen.

Mid-Weed One Liners: Aldi is Coming to the Bronx, Queens and Long Island

Image via Wikipedia

Aldi begins to make Footprints on NY 

Aldi is coming to Long Island, The Bronx and Queens according to a report from Newsday [subscription].

Aldi, coming to Pelham Gardens in the Bronx, as News 12 reports.

On Tuesday it was reported that King Kullen pulled reusable bags from the shelves due to lead concerns.  More @ CBS News.  Now they're saying their reusable bags have tested safe.
 
Fairway Market in Douglaston is set to open in Spring '11.

UFCW 21 has called in a Federal Mediator for their negotiations.
Whole Foods enters Walmart's territory, OKC.

Walmart lost a development fight in San Diego: City leaders voted to force big-box retailers that want to sell groceries to study how a store will affect the surrounding neighborhood before a building permit is considered.

Officials in a suburbanRochester town have rejected a local Walmart store's request to remain open through Thanksgiving night into the morning of Black Friday.

A union effort is underway to organize Price Chopper stores, some of whose hourly employees were represented by UFCW when they worked in the recently sold Penn Traffic stores.

In Pennsylvania, a Giant Eagle worker was arrested for talking "Union" in the store, and found not-guilty.

NY State Senator Savino (Staten Island) teamed up with our brothers and sisters in RWDSU 338 donating turkeys.

Related articles

• Supermarket Chain Pulls Reusable Bags Over Lead (newyork.cbslocal.com)

Weekend News: Fairway Market Coming to UES, Aldi Says Vandals Compromised Payments

AFL-CIO Blog: "America Is One Nation and We Signify that Nation"

Nearly 200,000 people joined together on Saturday for the One Nation Working Together march. "It's important that we make jobs the priority in this country and not all of the other issues that are dividing us."

Aldi Says Vandals Compromised Payments

Grocery chain Aldi says the names, account numbers and secret codes of customers in 11 states were exposed to potential theft when they used payment cards at machines that had been tampered with. 

A&P Debuts New Store in New Providence

Montvale,NJ-- "This store offers an expansive selection of grocery products and freshly prepared foods at every day low prices."

Wall Street Journal: Fairway Market Coming to the Upper East Side

With more than 45,000 square feet, the store will open in 2011 on E.86th St., between Second and Third avenues, a former Barnes & Noble site with steady foot traffic. 

UFCW President Applauds Senate Democrats 

UFCW President Joe Hansen released a statement in response to the introduction of comprehensive immigration reform legislation by Senate Democrats. "The legislation announced today would chart a new course for our country: A course that protects workers, respects families and reflects our nation's rich immigrant tradition."

Humana and Wal-Mart Forming Co-Branded Low-Cost Prescription Drug Plan

Walmart and health insurer Humana Inc. build an alliance to offer a low-cost Medicare Part D prescription drug plan that they say will be the cheapest on the market in 2011. 

Afternoon News: Countdown To One Nation, Little Falls ShopRite Helps "Bag" Hunger

Countdown to One Nation
Nearly 200 progressive groups, including the UFCW Local 1500, AFL-CIO, NAACP and many other unions, have come together in One Nation; a multiracial, labor, civil and human rights movement whose mission is to reorder our nation's priorities to invest in our nation's most valuable resource- our people. 


Little Falls ShopRite Helps "Bag" Hunger
Little Falls,NJ-- "ShopRite's commitment to this cause is unwavering, and with everyone's assistance, we can continue to raise awareness of the issue of hunger for the citizens of our community."


P Fresh in Commack North Target on Track
Target will unveil its new supermarket- P Fresh- on Oct. 17th and everything is on schedule with limited complications. 

East Rutherford One Step Closer To A New Supermarket
The Borough Council has amended a zoning ordinance to help the supermarket, Aldi, move to the Liberty Commons mall. 


Plans Of A Farmers Market By Stop & Shop Sparks Controversy
Ossining, NY-- Protests erupted this weekend over plans to build a farmers market in a parking lot adjacent to a Stop & Shop. The proposal to sell fruits and vegetables to locals has divided a town and launched a nationwide discussion about the place of locally grown produce in America.


Target Targets 10 Stores
Target recently notified that it will open 10 new stores across the country, including Flushing, Queens, on October 10th. The stores will help generate more than 2,400 jobs. 


Another Union Vote For Foxwoods Engineers
A trade union seeking to represent employees of Foxwoods Resort Casino's engineering department will pursue an election at the casino for the second time in less than five months- and the third time overall. 


Expansion Ahead For Millville Walmart
Millville, NJ-- Walmart spokesman Bill Wertz said the addition will enable the store to add a full grocery section, including a bakery, deli counter and fresh produce. 


Wal-Mart Names New CFO as Schoewe Plans to Leave
CFO, Tom Schoewe's retirement is the latest in a series of changes in the executive ranks at Wal-Mart, which is trying to turn around sluggish U.S. sales fueled by a tough economy and merchandising problems. 


BJ's Developer Sells Site Days Before Store Opens
Falls Church, VA--The Developer of BJ's Wholesale Club in Seven Corners, has announced that it has sold the property to another developer only days before the retail store is due to open for business. 

Weekend News: Stop & Shop Union Wins City's Support, White House Appoints UFCW President Joe Hansen

Stop & Shop Union Wins City's Support Amid Fear of Job Losses
New Bedford, MA--Union President Sean M. O'Brien said he was concerned the company will continue to move work to cheaper, out-of-state locations. "This is the dress rehearsal to what I believe to be further movement of middle-class jobs," said O'Brien. The grocery chain recently moved the servicing of 34 stores from the Freetown facility to a non-union distribution center in New York, according to officials from Teamsters Local 25, which represents the workers. 


White House Appoints UFCW President Joe Hansen
Joe Hansen, President of the 1.3 million member United Food and Commercial Workers Union has been appointed to the United States Trade Representative's Advisory Committee for Trade Policy. 


Merger Creates Largest Union of Retail Workers in Minnesota
"Growing our union, negotiating good contracts and helping workers form and join a union will be the priorities of the new organization,"- Don Seaquist, President of Local 1189


AFL-CIO: We're Building A Movement From The Grassroots
Between now and Nov.2, the nation's union members will mount the largest-ever non-party-based political mobilization to elect candidates who will fight for working families- especially when it comes to jobs and continuing to fix an economy broken by the failed polices of the past. 


Aldi Plans First Interior Mall Site
CHICAGO-- The 20,000-square-foot store is being specially designed to accommodate an interior entrance at the Chicago Ridge mall. "We plan to expand this concept throughout our U.S. portfolio and are currently talking to a number of grocers."

Tues, Weds & Thursday Morning One-Liners: Aldi's breaking into NYC later than sooner...

Progressive Grocer: 16,000 NY Grocery Union Contracts set to Expire June 26
(you can find all media outlets who covered our release here)

At Co-op City, Trash Piles Up as Workers Go on Strike
Mountains of trash bags sprouted across Co-op City on Tuesday as residents and office workers rushed to perform basic maintenance tasks left undone by more than 500 unionized janitors, groundskeepers and parking attendants who went on strike on a contract dispute. 


UMass Memorial, Food Workers Union reach tentative contract
UMass Memorial Health Care and the union representing 1,300 of its workers have tentatively agreed to a two-year contract, avoiding the threat of a strike. 


Shaw's workers win support in Sommerville (MA)
Striking Shaw's workers took their fight through Somerville this week for support from labor and faith groups and a protest in Twin Cities. 


Oh the Aldi NYC thing again,

Supermarket News: Aldi to Open in NYC in 2011

The discounter has agreed to locate in the Rego Park II development in Queens, with the store scheduled to open in early 2011. Aldi had previously hoped to have arrived in New York as soon as last year, but plans for its initial store fell through, company officials said. The company is now seeking to hire staff for the Queens store. 

More @ Queens Central: Aldi Supermarket to open at Rego Center
The discount supermarket chain plans to open its first New York City store at the Rego Park ll shopping center at 65-35 Junction Blvd. in Queens, in 2011

Progressive Grocer also covered Aldi's NYC Plans.

Fowl is fair! Key Food's chicken relabeling is completely kosher.
A Brooklyn Heights Key Food that has been repeatedly accused of changing the "sell-by" date on meat is off the hook this week after the state revealed that the relabeling practice is completely legal. 


Workers at 3 MMJ Businesses in Oakland Unionize
California- Workers at three medical marijuana businesses in Oakland will announce Friday that they have unionized, another step in a concerted campaign aimed at bringing legitimacy to a once-hidden sector of the state's economy and boosting the marijuana-legalization initiative.


A crowed showed up last  week at Starrett City to protest Walmart's proposed first New York City superstore.


Unions v Wal-Mart
The Economist looks at an old unions stronghold battles the bigger retailer.

Undercitting its rivals: Wal-Mart slashing prices, restoring some basics.
Wal-Mart is counting on $1 ketchup bottles and sub-$4 cases of Coke to get its low-price mojo back.


Wal-Mart Expecting a Break Out?
Wal-Mart's price action is below this important level, which makes the stock difficult to buy, as there will certainly be resistance as it approaches its 200 day moving average.



Wal-Mart says recalled Miley Cyrus jewlery was not intended for children.
In a statement released by Wal-Mart, they announced that the line of Miley Cyrus jewelry was not intended for children. That comment has been met with skepticism by many mothers of tween girls who, for the past four years, have been sleeping, eating, breathing and buying everything Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus.

1.2 million un-employed workers will lose benefits since congress failed to act.

Politics, City & Everything in between...
Schneiderman for Espaillat, UFCW Local 1500 for Levine
UFCW Local 1500 continued its early endorsement streak by becoming the first labor union to endorse in the 31st SD race, throwing its weight behind District Leader Mark Levine.

Bronx May Land Fuel Alternative
The Bloomberg administration is pushing to build New York's first public alternative-fuel station to pump natural gas, ethanol and biodiesel.

Apparently Skinny People Shop at Whole Foods:
Researchers at the University of Washington further illustrate the link between poverty and obesity.


Co-op City workers in Bronx to Strike Over Proposed Wage Freeze
Building workers at Co-op City in the Bronx will strike this morning, seething over a four-year wage freeze proposed by management of the massive complex, union officials said Monday night. 


Race against time to keep MTA workers as layoffs loom
Hundreds of bus drivers and other transit workers could get a reprieve from impending layoffs if MTA and union officials can negotiate a deal-but the clock is ticking.

Bloomberg eliminates Teachers' raises, saves 4,400 jobs: Crains NY Business.