It's time to pass Employee Free Choice, Bashas' to close stores, Friday Morning News

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Employee Free Choice, on Tuesday over one million signatures were handed to congress on a petition urging congress to sign EFCA.

Workers to Congress: "It's time to pass Employee Free Choice"

Union leaders brought hundreds of their rank-and-file members and petitions that they said held 1.5 million signatures to Capitol Hill for a rally in support of the Employee Free Choice Act, escalating an already intense fight over the controversial bill. [Associated Press]

CNN: Struggle between workers and business

Elsewhere

Local businesses "Supermarket wine sales will sink us."

The first sales tax check for 2009 came in Thursday and it showed Nassau County was starting the year the same way it closed out last year -- on a downward spiral.

Jobs for immigrants in Long Island are scarce.

Western Union has signed a five-year renewal agreement with The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., Inc. to extend money transfer, money order and bill payment services throughout the majority of the grocer's stores.

Bashas' in Arizona is planning to close five locations, including its prototype Ike's Farmers Market near Tuscon, the company's president told SN.
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Bruno's Supermarkets, LLC, owner and operator of the Bruno's and Food World supermarket banners, has filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S.

Calorie disclosures on menus are affecting New York City restaurant-goers' choices and which restaurants they choose to visit, a new study shows.
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Ending a three-month recount process, Jim Gennaro finally conceded to incumbent state senator Frank Padavan.

Thursday morning news...

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

Thursday quick news briefs...

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The SI Advance covered yesterday's 'Politics of Food Conference'.

Strong food and gasoline sales are more than making up for sluggish general merchandise at BJ’s Wholesale Club, which on Wednesday reported a 24% increase in quarterly profits, sparked in part by falling gasoline prices.
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Democrats accused Sen. Frank Padavan's supporters of launching a massive effort to discard paper ballots cast by minority voters.

The leaders of the 100,000-member Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU, UFCW) yesterday pledged their support for Congressional efforts to save the beleaguered U.S. auto industry.

Workers from the sushi eatery 'Republic' are seeking over $1 million for unpaid overtime.

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Morning Briefs...

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King Kullen Grocery Co., Inc. and its subsidiary, Wild by Nature, have joined with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help protect the environment.

Organized labor sees a historic opportunity with Tuesday's election and is counting on the incoming Obama administration to back its agenda in what promises to be a landmark battle with business.

CNBC discusses the impact Obama will have on the Labor Industry.

A&P here yesterday said it has converted two more stores in the Philadelphia area to its price-impact Pathmark format.
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Whole Foods Market here said Wednesday that identical-store sales were down slightly in the fourth quarter and have continued a downward spiral in the first weeks of its new fiscal year, as economic pressures continued to batter the once high-flying natural foods retailer.
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And Jim Gennaro, running against a 30 year incumbent Frank Padavan is trailing by 723 votes and not conceding just yet.