Tentative Agreement Reached with Stop & Shop

After months of long, tense and difficult negotiations, the Stop & Shop negotiating committee reached a tentative agreement with company officials after 6:00 pm.

Multiple locations for the membership to review the settlement and vote on the tentative agreement will be booked and announced as soon as possible.  Due to current ongoing negotiations between UFCW Local 1500, Fairway and King Kullen, details of the tentative agreement will not be released publicly. The tentative agreement will be available for all UFCW Local 1500 members in good standing to review and vote on, at all of the locations.

Thank you all again for your solidarity and support over the past six months.  This could not have been accomplished without you. Thanks to your support throughout the stores and wearing 'Stop the Chop' solidarity buttons,  the committee reached a tentative agreement tonight.

Congratulations to the committee for their tireless work to bring you the best collective bargaining agreement possible. Your solidarity and patience has been crucially important during these negotiations.


Thank you and in Solidarity,


Tony Speelman
Secretary-Treasurer
UFCW Local 1500

Fairway Market Contract Update

Fairway Contract Update Español

En Español A Fair Way...March 18th Update On Friday, March 6th and Monday, March 9th, our Fairway union negotiating committee met with company officials to continue contract negotiations.    Fairway's new CEO Jack Murphy was present at the first negotiating session.  The committee has been strong, and determined to air all concerns for Fairway members. Due to their strength and your support, progress is being made. As we highlighted in our quarterly newsletter, these negotiations are crucial.  They will set the tone for our future collective bargaining agreements with the new management at Fairway Market. Thank you for the support and solidarity and wearing your buttons with union pride! It truly makes a difference. The next scheduled negotiating session is March 27th.. Español Marzo de 2015 Actualización sobre los contratos con Fairway Una manera justa... Actualización del 18 de marzo El viernes 6 de marzo y el lunes 9 de marzo, nuestro comité de negociación sindical de Fairway se reunió con directivos de la compañía para continuar las negociaciones contractuales. Jack Murphy, el nuevo Director Ejecutivo de Fairway, estuvo presente en la primera ronda de negociaciones. El comité ha sido fuerte y ha decidido ventilar todas las inquietudes de los miembros de Fairway. Gracias a su fuerza y a su apoyo, se están logrando avances. Como lo hemos destacado en nuestro boletín trimestral, estas negociaciones son cruciales. Marcarán la pauta para nuestros futuros convenios de negociación colectiva con la nueva dirección de Fairway Market. ¡Gracias por el apoyo y la solidaridad y por usar con orgullo los botones del sindicato! Realmente marca la diferencia. Las próxima reunion de negociación esta programada para el 27 de marzo. Para consultar todas las noticias archivadas, por favor visite nuestro blog.

Joint Statement from the 13 UFCW/RWDSU Locals of the A&P Bankruptcy Team

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 30, 2011

Union Representing A&P Supermarket Workers & Company Reach a Deal to help the company emerge from bankruptcy and save nearly 36,000 Jobs

New York- November 30, 2011- After a year of intense negotiations, 13 Locals of the UFCW/RWDSU representing some 36,000 union members from Maryland to Connecticut have concluded negotiations with The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P) and affiliated companies who filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December of 2010.

Over a three-day voting period, union members from the 13 Local Unions ratified, by a large majority, new contracts with the company. The new collective bargaining agreements were constructed in such a way as to allow A&P to rebuild and emerge from bankruptcy, while at the same time protecting the jobs, the medical plans and pensions of the members of the various Local Unions.

Throughout the bankruptcy proceedings the UFCW/RWDSU Local Unions have remained united, negotiating as one group, to ensure the best outcome for the long term health of the company, the members working in the stores and the more than 300 communities A&P stores serve.

According to the UFCW/RWDSU this agreement, while concessionary in nature, was necessary to save the jobs of tens of thousands of members. UFCW Secretary Treasurer Marc Perrone said of the deal, “While we are never happy to be in the position of concessionary bargaining, we do believe that these agreements represent the best outcome for our members under the circumstances.” Perrone continued, “I am proud of the 13 UFCW/RWDSU Local unions who stood united and worked together to ensure that the new agreements minimize the impact on the lives of our members while providing the A&P companies with sufficient financial savings to help them emerge from bankruptcy.”

Perrone also stated, “A&P’s bankruptcy was entirely self-inflicted, as the company suffered through decades of leadership that knew very little about running a supermarket chain. While most of the people responsible for the bankruptcy are no longer with the company, we truly hope the new leadership team understands and appreciates the sacrifice our members are making to help save the companies they have served for years.”

The new contracts were a condition to the financing for A&P’s proposed plan of reorganization, and if the new contracts had not been ratified by the 13 UFCW/RWDSU Unions, A&P could have faced liquidation.

The new contracts will last five years and will take effect two business days after bankruptcy court approval of the agreements. A bankruptcy court hearing on such approval is scheduled to take place on December 5.

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Download the pdf here.

13 UFCW/RWDSU Locals Ratify New A&P Agreement

13 UFCW/RWDSU Local Unions Overwhelmingly Ratify New A&P/Pathmark Agreement

UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce W. Both announced that the thirteen UFCW/RWDSU Locals participating in the A&P/Pathmark contract modification negotiations have ratified the new collective bargaining agreement. The following are the total votes cast:

7200 Voted 'Yes' to Accept the Contract Modifications

1827 Voted 'No' to Reject the Contract Modifications

“We know the past year was an extremely difficult time for UFCW Local 1500 members employed by Pathmark.  All of us at the Union are very grateful for the support and patience shown by the Pathmark workers.  While we all recognize the changes to the Pathmark contract are substantial, we are pleased that we were able to conclude this process with our Health Insurance and Pension programs unchanged.   Additionally, several provisions of the new agreement will expire during the life of the contract and will not have to be negotiated back in 2016.   Also, management proposals to gut the job protection language in your contracts were completely defeated," President Both stated.

“While I acknowledge that we now must move forward, we must also remain vigilant and united every day. We expect that early next year A&P/Pathmark will emerge from bankruptcy.  The new management team at A&P/Pathmark must listen to the voices of the workers if they are to have any chance to once again be a growing and successful supermarket.  However, as we have said in the past, Local 1500 will remain cautious and will be ready to protect our Union members jobs should A&P/Pathmark management take any actions we believe to be counter-productive to its success and harmful to our membership.”

“The key to our future is solidarity and unity.  Without that, I have no doubt that thousands of Pathmark workers today would be seeking new jobs during a horrible economy rather than going to their stores knowing their working conditions far exceed those of non-union companies like Walmart, BJ's and Target.  By remaining unified we can work to undo the difficult, but necessary, changes to this contract when we negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement in 2016.  Again, on behalf of the entire staff and leadership of UFCW Local 1500, I thank you for your for patience, support, and most importantly, your solidarity."

A&P/Pathmark Update #14

*Updated 09/30/11, 3:27 PM
The original post incorrectly reported the UFCW Locals meeting with A&P officials on Wendsday, Oct. 5th.  The meeting on October 5 will be between the 13 UFCW Locals representing A&P banner stores, not company officials.

Local 1500 Officials along with the 13 other UFCW Local unions on the A&P bargaining team are set to meet again on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011.   In the meantime we've continued to keep our elected officials aware of the A&P bankruptcy crisis.  Earlier this week, Local 1500 officials and other UFCW Local unions from New York met with United States Senator Kristen Gillibrand and discussed A&P's bankruptcy.

Additionally, the following letter was sent to New York Congressional leaders, & the New York City Council this week:

As you may be aware, on December 12th, 2010, the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. A&P is the parent corporation of several different supermarket chains. One of those chains is Pathmark Supermarkets. 

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 represents over 5,000 members in Pathmark stores located on Long Island, the five boroughs and Westchester County.
Since their filing of Chapter 11, A&P has closed over 35 stores in six states and over 3,000 members have lost their jobs. Despite these closings, the company is still operating over 325 stores and employs over 30,000 UFCW members.

Along with several other UFCW Unions, UFCW Local 1500 is currently negotiating with A&P/Pathmark on possible cost savings that can be achieved from our Collective Bargaining Agreements.

Our Union’s goal, from day one of this process, has been to work with the company to reach an agreement that allows them to recover and grow economically while protecting the rights and livelihoods of our members working in their stores. That objective has not and will not change.

The A&P/Pathmark bankruptcy is a very serious situation that affects not just the workers, but the many communities these stores are located in. Should more stores close, you will see communities lose access to one of the only full-scale supermarkets in their neighborhoods and the loss of additional middle class jobs.

Realizing this situation may affect many of your constituents; this letter was sent to keep you up to date on this crisis. Should you have any questions or wish to discuss the matter further, please do not hesitate to contact me at 1-800-522-0456, ext. 11305.

I will continue to provide you with updates over the next few months and hope you will join us in seeking an outcome that saves good food, good jobs and good health for many New York communities.

Sincerely,


Bruce W. Both
President

Please Remember: 

1. Stay united. We are all in this together and together is the only way we can succeed.

2. Please ignore all the rumors and count on your Union to deliver you the most up to date & accurate information to you.

3. Stay in touch with your Union Representative and Shop Steward.

4. Visit the Union web site and Facebook page for information.

5. Should you want to email us information or questions, please do so at info@ufcw1500.org

6. Show your solidarity by wearing your buttons. If you need more buttons, speak to your Union Representative.

Pathmark/A&P Update from Local 1500 President Bruce Both

Image via Wikipedia

A Message from UFCW Local 1500 President, Bruce Both:

On May 5, 2011, a meeting was held between A&P and all the UFCW Local Unions that represent the companies under the A&P banner. The representatives of the various unions present, including Local 1500, were required to sign confidentiality agreements. Because of these confidentiality agreements the details of what was discussed at the meeting cannot be shared at this time.

The company has requested that the current collective bargaining agreements be changed or modified. These requests are currently under review by each Local Union, the International Union and Legal Counsel. These company requests are subject to negotiation.

At some time in the near future, the changes to your collective bargaining agreement will be presented. It should be noted that if the Unions cannot reach an agreement the Bankruptcy Judge, under Section 1113, could have the Unions’ collective bargaining agreements voided or modified.

The members of Pathmark will be receiving two mailings sent to their home. 

• You should receive a document “Notice of Meeting of Creditors” on May 31, 2011. In Chapter 11 cases, companies are required to schedule a meeting which any creditor, including employees, may attend where a representative of the company gives a short presentation with public information on the status of the bankruptcy and may answer some questions.
• There is no requirement or need for you to attend this meeting, and the notice can be ignored. 

• The second notice you will receive is from the Court regarding a “Bar Date” for the filing of any personal claims against the Company outside the collective bargaining agreement. Only those members with a personal claim need to take any action.

Please email us or contact us for any questions you may have at 1-800-522-0456.

A Message to all Employers with CBA's w/ UFCW Locals representing A&P Stores...

Image via WikipediaA letter to all employers with Collective Bargaining Agreements with UFCW Locals 100R, 152, 338*, 342, 464A, 1245 & 1500 went out yesterday, April 20, 2011

The letter serves notice to all employers whose contracts are coming due in the near future saying, "we will, as always consider the needs of each employer individually, based upon their particular circumstances...We will not allow any employer, regardless of size, to attempt to take advantage of another employer's unfortunate circumstances.  We will not be divided on this, and stand ready with our sister UFCW and RWDSU Locals and their members..."

You can read the entire letter here: http://ufcw1500.org/files/shared/Letter_4.21.pdf

Please contact us for any questions or comments, info@ufcw1500.org or by phone 800.522.0456.

Pathmark/A&P Update from Local 1500 President Bruce Both

By: Bruce Both, President

I’d like to update you on the A&P bankruptcy. At the same time A&P is closing stores and laying off our members, the company won a bankruptcy court approval of a Key Employee Incentive Plan, which will give bonuses to “key” managers and executives.

Yet at the same time, A&P has indicated that it will ask Local 1500 to agree to reductions in wages and benefits under our collective bargaining agreement. All indications are that if A&P does not get what it wants in bargaining it will ask the bankruptcy court (in a so-called 1113 motion) to approve such reductions or, worst case, to reject our contract outright. 

If the court sets aside our contract, the ‘no strike clause' is no longer in effect and we have the right to strike.  I don’t want to alarm you, but it is my duty to let you know that A&P may leave us with no choice than to strike.  While A&P thinks that managers are so essential to its operation they should receive lucrative bonuses, it forgets that you, the members, are the ones who really matter to the future of the company, and that it cannot function or run stores without the hard work you perform every day.

I’ll continue to keep you posted.  Please email us, info@ufcw1500.org or contact your Union Representative for any questions.

In Solidarity,

Bruce W. Both

President, UFCW Local 1500

UFCW International's Statment on Wisconsin GOP’s Attack on Workers’ Rights

Image via Wikipedia

A Statement from United Food and Commercial Workers International Union on Wisconsin GOP’s Attack on Workers’ Rights

         MADISON, Wis.-- One of the nation’s largest private sector unions, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) condemns the cowardly attack on Wisconsin’s public servants by Governor Scott Walker and Republican state senators.

         Joe Hansen, UFCW International President, said, “Tonight’s late-night actions by Wisconsin’s Republican Senators will not stand. Working families and the broader community in Wisconsin and across the country have overwhelmingly stood up for the right to bargain collectively. Governor Walker’s true motives have been made clear that this was never about balancing the budget, but rather to exact political revenge on the hard working teachers, firefighters and public workers that make Wisconsin a great state.”

         Hansen continued, “And for those politicians who seek to emulate Governor Walker, rest assured, these attacks on middle class families have unified and inspired an even stronger grassroots movement for change in this country.”

         Tricia Hawkins, a UFCW Local 1473 member was inside the Wisconsin capitol building when the vote was taken. She said, “I work at Hormel Foods in Beloit and I have a good job because I have a seat at the bargaining table. I know collective bargaining works because our members work with management to reach the best agreement to make a stronger company and a good place to work.” She continued, “Working people understand that hard times call for shared sacrifices but Governor Walker proved tonight that his motivation was never about shared sacrifice. He is out for political revenge.”

        UFCW members work in some of the nation’s largest supermarket chains and major food processing and meatpacking plants. UFCW members put food on America’s dinner table and with a voice at work and the right to bargain with their employer, they are able to bring middle class jobs to every neighborhood in America.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110309007152/en/Statement-United-Food-Commercial-Workers-International-Union

A Message from President Both; Re: Pathmark

                                                                                    February 28, 2011

A&P announced last week that the company would close 32 underperforming stores in the chain’s network of stores.  Every UFCW member is affected by this announcement in one way or another.  Together, the 14 UFCW local unions who represent workers at the chain’s 395 stores are working diligently to put UFCW members in the best possible position for whatever the future holds for this company.

The UFCW A&P local unions have retained financial analysts and bankruptcy attorneys so that our interests are represented in the bankruptcy proceedings. UFCW leaders sit on the creditor’s committee.  By committing to a unified approach, every UFCW local union is operating from the same position – that together, we are stronger. 

We are facing a lengthy process and encourage you to have patience.  Last week’s store closing news was a shock, but as a group, the UFCW was able to respond similarly in every location by using the existing collective bargaining agreement to protect as many jobs as possible.  Several hundred Teamster brothers and sisters have lost their jobs as a result of A&P’s management decisions during this process. You may have seen them protesting the company at your store or stores in your area.  Talk to your union representative about the best way you can show your support.

If you have any questions about the bankruptcy process and how it might affect your store, please attend your next General Membership meeting on March 9, 2011 (RSVP on Facebook), or ask your union representative at (800) 522-0456. 

Yours truly, 

Bruce W. Both
President

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