Local 1500 Heads to Washington for Support w/ Pathmark Crisis

Earlier this May, UFCW Local 1500 Secretary-Treasurer Anthony Speelman, Political Director John Woods and Assistant to the President Patrick Purcell Jr. traveled to Washington D.C. to enlist the help of the New York area Congressional delegation in our fight to save Pathmark.

Local 1500 representatives briefed several members of Congress as well as our two U.S. Senators about the Pathmark crisis. The Union officials asked for specific help depending on the outcome of the ongoing negotiations. “Every single person we spoke to pledged their support and agreed that we must all work to come to a fair agreement and not let A&P/Pathmark continue to run this once proud company into the ground any further. Our membership should know that our elected officials have our backs and are prepared to roll up their sleeves and stand with us as this crisis grows more serious every day,” Secretary-Treasurer Tony Speelman explained.

Pledging support were:

U.S. Representative for New York's 7th District, Democrat Joseph Crowley

U.S. Senator,  New York, Democrat Chuck Schumer

U.S. Representative for New York's 11th District, Democrat Yvette Clarke

U.S. Representative for New York's 9th District, Democrat Anthony Weiner

U.S. Representative for New York's 4th District, Democrat Carolyn McCarthy

U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand & UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce Both

Though not pictured from the recent trip, United States Senator, Kristen Gillibrand, a longtime friend of UFCW Local 1500 also pledged her support.

Quick Recap of this past Election Day

By: Jessica Lynch

United States Senator (NY) Kristen Gillibrand visits a UFCW Local 1500 Represented ShopRite

Election Day results were deeply disappointing to the millions of voters who voted to support candidates that fight for hard working Americans.   Candidates who fight for everyday people who go to work to do their best to support their families. Although overall results throughout the country were not in our favor, we would like to thank all of you who went out to vote for values of equality, freedom and solidarity with our Union. Your votes helped send Carl Paladino packing by electing Andrew Cuomo for Governor and Eric Schneiderman for Attorney General. In the State Comptroller race, Democratic/Working Families candidate Tom DiNapoli won. Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer kept their spots in the U.S Senate.  Another key victory was Frank Padavan's 38-year Senatorial reign ended, as it was toppled by Democrat Tony Avella on Tuesday night. "People voted for change, they voted for different representation," said Avella. We were not as fortunate with wins in other areas of New York. Overall the Democratic Party won New York and we would like to thank again all of you who went out and voted in this election.

Monday Morning One Liners..."Penn Traffic stores likely to be bought"

Image by UFCW Local 1500 via Flickr

New York State recovers record levels of illegally paid wages in 2009
Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York State recovered record levels of illegally underpaid wages for workers in 2009. Through enhanced enforcement of existing labor laws, the State Department of Labor collected and disbursed $28.8 million to nearly 18,000 New York workers. For the second year in a row, these recovered wages represent the largest amount of money the Labor Department has collected and distributed in its 100 plus years of existence.

UFCW Local 1776 backs Tops' bid to purchase Penn-Traffic stores.

Whole Foods was the top food retail stock gainer in 2009.

"Most of Penn Traffic stores likely to be bought": Senator Chuck Schumer, NY.

Marley Coffee, the organic gourmet coffee company founded by Rohan Marley, son of legendary Bob Marley is now being distributed by Whole Foods Market.

Food retailers in NY are seeing higher costs in renovations due to last year's passage of the expanded 'bottle bill'.

Costco announces plans to open a store in Rego Park.


Politics
The NY Post reports that President Obama wants Patterson off the ticket.

Meanwhile Rep.Charles Rangel says Cuomo won't dare run against Patterson.

And Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy announced he will run against David Patterson.

Pedro Espada has plans for rent-stabilized apartments for families making less than $45,000 annually.

Tuesday Morning One Liners...

The Brooklyn Flea is saying goodbye to Dumbo this winter and hello to Fort Greene.

The deadline for bids to buy Penn Traffic's stores has been extended for six more weeks after lender GE Capital agreed to a request for additional time from Charles Schumer, a U.S. Senator from New York.

The Watertown Daily Times has more of an update.

Whole Foods is recalling bulk Hazelnuts.

A NY Times reporter gets initiated and works at Wal-Mart for a day.

"This legislation will strengthen our businesses, our neighborhoods and our families....It's good government to make sure public money isn't used to undercut private employers and lower wages."
Tony Helfer, Local 23 UFCW President, after the city of Pittsburgh passed a prevailing wage bill.

Monday Morning One Liners...Penn Traffic has a new bid,

Image via Wikipedia

Good Morning on Monday,

Walmart has appointed a new Latin America CEO.

Senator Chuck Schumer has asked GE Capital, one of the largest creditors of bankruptcy chain Penn Traffic here, to give the company more time to seek bids, according to a report Friday on Syracuse.com.

Meanwhile the Buffalo News is reporting that Tops Friendly Markets has bid over $90 Million for all of Penn Traffic's 79 stores. Syracuse.com also reported the offer...Price Chopper's latest bid was $54 Million for 22 stores.

Stop & Shop reported massive sales this weekend due to weather threats throughout the north-east, Supermarket News reported.

On Friday, the UFCW Local 1428 delivered whole frozen turkeys - with all the trimmings - to 40 severely low-income Kingsley Elementary School families as part of their Santa Day. 

The Brooklyn based, Union Market is set to open their third location today, in Cobble Hill. 


No more chocolate fountains, John Mackey announced he's returning to his 'health food roots'.


Governor David Patterson said NY is being "punished" with the new Health Care reform bill.

Monday Morning One Liners...

Image via Wikipedia

Several Southern California grocers are planning store closings and layoffs due to the impact of today's tough economy, according to a published account.

Chuck Schumer to head the Senate immigration subcommittee.

Obama raises hopes for unions...

Bloomberg's popularity falls to a 4 year low.

STUDY: 14,000 people are losing health insurance every day

According to a report released by Health Care for America Now and the Center for American Progress, 14,000 Americans are losing health insurance every day during this economic crisis.

Wal-Mart has agreed to change its recruitment and hiring methods for over-the-road truck drivers, and pay $17.5 million to thousands who say they were denied the jobs because of their race, resolving a nationwide class-action lawsuit that was set for trial next month.

Wegman's plans on more 'southern expansion'.

Thursday morning news...

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Industry

The United Automobile Workers union said Wednesday that it would make major concessions in its contracts with the three Detroit auto companies to help them lobby Congress for $34 billion in federal aid.

Hannaford Bros. is asking for voluntary resignations at its 750-employee corporate offices in Scarborough, Maine.

The Greenwhich Times asked Local UFCW president Brian Petronella what will happen to the 80 union members' jobs from a closing 'Shaws'.

Sales of reusable canvas bags at Tesco-owned Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market have more than doubled since the grocer introduced them this past October

Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets opened its first two stores yesterday in Bakersfield, Calif., located about 150 miles north of Los Angeles.
Read more of this story

Sears posted a $146M Loss and will close 8 more stores.

JWJ is holding their annual "vote for the national grinch of the year"

Union workers at Safeway, Fry’s and Smith’s stores in Arizona represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 99 here have agreed to a contract extension through Dec. 15 as negotiators work on a new deal with employers.
Read more of this story

Chuck Schumer wants local Long Island farm produce in school cafeterias.

The owners of the two Saigon Grill restaurants in Manhattan were arrested Wednesday on more than 400 criminal charges, including violating minimum-wage laws, falsifying business records and defrauding the state’s unemployment insurance system.

Tesco's Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market locations that have been operating for several months "have now moved strongly into [comparable-store sales] growth," Sir Terry Leahy, chief executive officer of the parent company, said.
Read more of this story

Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Watch released their official statement regarding the death of Mr. Jdimytai Damour

Here is Wake up Wal-Mart's statement.

Mr.Damour's family has filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart.

Here's more on the suit.

There's a discussion on Craigslist on Local 1500's statement on Wal-Mart.

The NY Post writes on the events aftermath, quote from BWB.

Other

Rob Ecker's restaurant was featured in the Staten Island Advance.

Politics

Here is an update on the Frank Padavan race.

Vito Fossella may run again in 2010.

Patterson is supporting the MTA bailout plan.

Monday Morning One Liners...

Image via Wikipedia

Retailers like BJ's Wholesale Club & Wal-Mart are set to thrive in tough economic times.

Here's another investment blog saying BJ's will benefit in this economy.

Stop & Shop here is donating 1,000 turkeys to the Food Bank of New Jersey.
Read more of this story

Investors.com asks what will President Elect Barack Obama change with Wal-Mart.

A woman caught shoplifting at a Wal-Mart in South Carolina was 'body slammed' by Loss Prevention.

A hearing at city hall last week on street vendors "got heated" as NY Times writes.

Here's a blog on the new Stop & Shop in Ossing.

Albertsons is closing two grocery stores in the Las Vegas Valley and will place about 120 employees from the stores at other locations, a union executive said Friday.

Politics

Rudy Giuliani said Sunday he will consider running for governor of New York and isn't ruling out a second attempt at the U.S. presidency.

NY Times asks "Suppose if Senator Clinton got a cabinet post"

Liz Benjamin of the Daily News says Nydia Velazquez is first in line to fill her Senate seat.

And if you're interested in attending Obama's inauguration, Chuck Schumer has established an 'Internet lottery for tickets'