New Contracts Ratified

As our new union leadership brings new energy and different negotiation tactics to the bargaining table, we're excited to share the news that Fairway Drivers and Wild by Nature workers have ratified new contracts.

We're pleased to announce the hard working men and women of Wild by Nature have ratified a new long-term contract. Wild by Nature is a chain of five organic grocery stores located on Long Island. The new contract includes raises and secures benefits for both part-time and full-time workers.

The truck drivers for Fairway Market have also ratified a multi-year contract. The drivers are covered under a separate contract than men and women working throughout Fairway Market's 17 stores. Under the new contract a huge gain was made for Fairway Drivers, they will now receive pension benefits.

We're proud of the hard work done by both union negotiation committees to reach these contracts. Thank you all for your hard work.

It's my pleasure and honor to serve as your Union President,

Tony Speelman
President
UFCW Local 1500
@aspeel1500

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.

A Statement from President Bruce W. Both; Re: Pathmark Store Closings

Image via Wikipedia

It is with much dejection to announce that UFCW Local 1500 has been notified by A&P / Pathmark that they will be closing three stores that employ members of UFCW Local 1500: Commack, Long Island; Hartsdale, New York  and Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn. These stores are part of larger plan by A&P to close 32 stores in six states.

Company executives have listed the stores as "under-performing” and decided that these closings were necessary in order to demonstrate a strong solid Turnaround Plan in order to rebound from Chapter 11.

The following is a statement from UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce W. Both:

 “The loss of just one union member is one loss too many.  Local 1500 leadership is deeply troubled by today’s announcement and will aggressively enforce our collective bargaining agreement.  While we are all disappointed by today’s announcement, it should not come as a shock as we know that A&P/Pathmark must undergo massive changes to their corporate structure if they are to emerge successfully from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.”

“The unionized members of Pathmark are the backbone of this company and the foundation on which any future must be built. Those employees affected by today’s announcement of store closings are victims of mismanagement by previous company executives.  As I have said before, store closings alone will not save this company and they must focus on providing their employees and customers with innovative leadership, cutting edge technology and a more thorough and competent understanding of the grocery industry.”

“Local 1500 leadership remains optimistic about the future of this company for one compelling reason: the unionized employees. We urge management to listen to the workers' suggestions as to how better operate these stores. Many Pathmark employees have been with this company for well over 3 decades and are more than experienced in running successful supermarkets.  After today’s announcement, we urge management to move past store closings, and begin to listen to their store employees and return this company to its rightful place as a leader in the grocery industry.”

Local 1500 will conduct a thorough process for the three store closures once the 90-day notice is given under the WARN Act.  For any questions or further comments please contact your Union Representative at 1-800-522-0456 or send us an email at info@ufcw1500.org.  Union Representatives will be servicing Pathmark stores to speak and answer any of the questions Pathmark members may have.  Additionally a Pathmark Hotline has been established to update all Pathmark members of current news and actions; you may reach the hotline at 1-800-522-0456 ext. 1355. 

Update, we originally reported 33 stores would close, we have confirmed through A&P 32 stores will close.

News From UFCW Local 1500: Union Seeks NYC Assistance for Bankrupt A&P

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeNews from UFCW Local 1500

For more information email: info@ufcw1500.org


Grocery Workers Union Seeks City Assistance for Bankrupt Supermarket


Request Meeting With New York City Mayor Bloomberg, Council Speaker Christine Quinn

New York State's largest grocery workers union, United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 1500, is seeking assistance from New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Mayor Michael Bloomberg in averting the possible closing of up to 58 Supermarkets owned by A&P Supermarkets. The 58 stores located in New York City operate under the Pathmark, Waldbaum’s and Food Emporium banners and employ approximately 6,500 workers throughout the five boroughs. A&P, also known as the Great Atlantic and Pacific Company, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on December 6, 2010.

In separate letters sent to Speaker Quinn and Mayor Bloomberg (linked below), UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce W. Both asked for a meeting to discuss the "tremendous negative effects on the economy of New York City" should there be store closings or layoffs. The letter also referred to the long-standing partnership UFCW Local 1500 has had with both parties to help bring more supermarkets and good jobs to New York City.

"The food desert crisis that this City currently faces would reach unimaginable levels without these 58 stores," stated President Both. "These 58 stores provide neighborhoods throughout New York City the essential building blocks for economic security: good food, good jobs and good health. Just as the City has risen to the challenge each time other sectors of the economy have faced economic difficulty, such as Wall Street and the garment industry, we hope that together we can discover ways to help these 58 stores continue to provide New Yorkers with great food and even better jobs," Both concluded.

UFCW Local 1500 Secretary-Treasurer Anthony Speelman added, "Nearly 150 years ago, The Great American Tea Company opened a store on Vesey Street in New York City. Today, that company provides thousands of New Yorkers living wages, health care and pensions. New York City has a vital interest in seeing that this company not only survives but continues to grow."

A&P has 20 stores in Manhattan, 15 in Queens, 12 in Brooklyn, six in Staten Island and five in the Bronx operating under three banners. Nationwide, it has 395 stores, including 163 in New York State.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, based out of Queens Village, represents over 23,000 grocery workers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Members of Local 1500 are employed by Pathmark, King Kullen, Stop and Shop, Gristedes, Fairway, D'agastinos, Key Food and Shop Rite.

Links:

UFCW Local 1500 Letter to NYC Mayor Bloomberg

UFCW Local 1500 Letter to NYC Council Christine Quinn

NY1: Popular Supermarket Chain Files For Bankruptcy

Senator Gillibrand Announces National Effort to Bring Fresh Food and Good Jobs to NYC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  APRIL 12, 2010

FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS JOIN NATIONAL EFFORT TO BRING FRESH FOOD AND GOOD JOBS TO FOOD DESERT NEIGHBORHOODS

(NEW YORK, NY) – The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) proudly announces its support for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative legislation introduced today by New York legislators Senator Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez (D-NY). 

The legislation will provide $1 billion through loans and grants to help build approximately 2,100 new grocery stores in high need areas across the country, including an estimated 273 stores in New York City. The initiative would create an estimated 200,000 new jobs nationally.

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative is a critical part of rejuvenating and revitalizing underserved neighborhoods both in terms of food quality and quality jobs that can support a family. 

New York-based UFCW Local 1500 is a leading partner in the New York FRESH Initiative which serves as a model for the national legislation and has successfully launched two major supermarkets into previously underserved areas in the Bronx.  Those supermarkets also added hundreds of new jobs and subsequent income to area residents.

Supermarkets act as anchors for economic development in a neighborhood.  In community after community, good supermarket jobs provide workers with good wages, career opportunities and most importantly, quality health care coverage that is key to a healthy lifestyle.   UFCW members in New York and across the U.S. take pride in serving their customers with good food.   This national legislation will provide needed funding to expand those opportunities into even more markets.

The UFCW applauds Senator Gillibrand and Congresswoman Velasquez for their vision in bringing worker organizations together with the economic development leaders and health policy advocates to ensure that new food outlets also provide good career jobs and training opportunities for new employees.

We believe that working together works.  With the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, we will:

·        Create new jobs from building new supermarkets in underserved neighborhoods;

·        Create new jobs from operating those stores; and

·        Create new jobs from related development which will grow up and around the new stores.

All the while, providing millions of residents with access to good, healthy, affordable food.

-30-

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, based out of Queens Village, represents over 23,000 grocery workers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties and New Jersey. Members of Local 1500 are employed by Pathmark, King Kullen, Stop and Shop, Gristedes, Fairway, D’agastinos, Key Food and Shop Rite.

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents more than 1.3 million workers, with over 1 million in the retail food industry. The UFCW protects the rights of workers and strengthens America’s middle class by fighting for health care reform, living wages, retirement security, safe working conditions and the right to unionize so that working men and women and their families can realize the American Dream.

For more information, contact Pat Purcell, UFCW Local 1500 at 973-583-9651 or Jill Cashen, UFCW, 202-728-4797 or email press@ufcw.org

UFCW News Service
www.ufcw.org

Tuesday News before Noon...

Image via Wikipedia

New York apple growers, on behalf of 42 participating supermarket chains, have once again donated $25,000 to the American Cancer Society (ACS) as part of an ongoing effort to help fight cancer and raise awareness of the cancer-fighting benefits of eating apples.

The Brooklyn Eagle looks at the new Key Food in Bay Ridge. “You are the Number One supermarket in Brooklyn, and I’m thrilled that you’re opened again in Bay Ridge,” said Borough President Marty Markowitz at the grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday morning. “I’m so glad Key Food is investing so much in Brooklyn.”

Yournabe.com: New Brooklyn Supermarket 'Key' to Brooklyn.

More @ Brooklyn Paper

ShopRite Employees featured on Cheerio's Boxes:
To raise hope and funds for the hungry and to increase awareness of the issue of hunger, 43 ShopRite stores participated in a six-week contest for National Hunger Awareness Month, September, sponsored by ShopRite and General Mills, ShopRite reported.
ShopRite associates raised nearly $500,000 toward fighting hunger in their local communities. To recognize this effort, 86 ShopRite associates, selected by their peers, represent their stores on a special-edition Cheerios box unveiled this month and available only at ShopRite stores this month. Each store was awarded $1,000 to donate to a hunger charity of its choice.

The founder of Aldi, Karl Albrecht, was named the world's tenth richest man.

Ohio: More and More Workers being Cheated out of Wages:
More than 200 Aldi store managers filed suit in January claiming the discount grocer had misclassified them as exempt from overtime. The case, pending in U.S. District Court, was initiated by Howard McNelley of Elyria, who spent nine years working at the Aldi in Brooklyn before being fired in June 2009. The lawsuit does not say why McNelley or other workers were fired.

Aldi released a statement for this story saying "As a matter of policy and practice, Aldi consistently adheres to all employee-related laws and regulations. We look forward to presenting the facts in court."
.
Walmart fired a Michigan man for using prescribed Medical Marijuana.

The Chicagoist continues a series of pieces on 'Working for Wal-Mart': Part three of the story looks at company employment practices:
As part of our on-going coverage of Wal-Mart’s attempt to break into the Chicago retail market, we take a look today at the company’s employment practices in the Chicago metropolitan area. Chicagoist met up with three Wal-Mart employees to talk to them about their jobs, company policy, and why they work there. Check out parts one and two of this story.

Supermarket News: Wal-Mart saw its stock rise about 3% in Monday’s trading after Citgroup analyst Deborah Weinswig upgraded the stock and said the company was poised to grab more grocery market share from traditional supermarkets.  

Here is the statement from the UFCW International on President Obama's Speech at the Export-Import Bank's Annual Conference.

The Food Consumer asks are you getting "cheated when you buy Organic?"

Shaw's Strike
Warehouse workers who supply fresh produce to a variety of Shaw's Supermarkets are striking and taking their dispute to the stores they supply including the Lynn Fells Parkway market.
Warehouse workers from Local 791 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union in Methuen walked off the job Sunday and onto the picket line in front of 12 stores in the Greater Boston area and New Hampshire.

The Boston Herald reports on the Fund set up to assist the 310 UFCW members on strike.

Politics, Nation
Sen. Arlen Specter racked up another union endorsement Monday as the Pennsylvania chapter of the Service Employees International Union said they will back the five-term senator in his Democratic primary battle with Rep. Joe Sestak. Read more @ Politico

NY Soda Tax, destined to fail despite push, TV ads: - A proposed new tax on sugary drinks appears unlikely to pass the state Senate, despite passionate campaigning by Gov. David Paterson and his health commissioner. Read more @ The Times Union

NY Post: Four House Democrats from New York yesterday emerged as crucial swing votes to pass President Obama's health-care bill, as the desperate commander-in-chief took his reform pitch to the heartland to troll for every last vote he can get.

Politico: New York's WFP issues a threat

New York's labor-backed Working Families Party, a major state player whose ballot line is a prized asset to Democratic candidates, will deny its endorsement to any member of Congress who votes "no" on health care legislation, party officials said.

Friday Morning One Liners: New England Updates, Bay Ridge Key Food opening date

Boston Globe reports: Union leaders involved in contract talks with Quincy-based Stop & Shop have issued 24-hour notices to end the collective bargaining agreement, which could trigger a strike if an agreement isn't reached by noon Friday.

Boston Herald: Nearly 40,000 Stop & Shop meat-cutters, cashiers and other workers could go on strike as soon as noon today in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Providence Journal: Contract talks between Stop & Shop and its workers are snagged, and union representatives said Thursday they will terminate their contract Friday at noon.

Tell Stop & Shop that if workers' are forced to strike, they'll lose my business. [Facebook]

Price Chopper has agreed to acquire six P&C supermarkets from Tops Friendly Markets, Tops said Thursday.

The Shaw's grocery store chain, which is selling all of its Connecticut locations, says it will cut 967 jobs at those stores.

Stop & Shop post Q4 Gains: Ahold announced fourth-quarter operating income at the company’s Quincy, Mass.-based Stop & Shop/Giant-Landover division rose 15%, to $238 million, and full-year operating income at the division rose 24%, to $869 million. As previously reported, sales for the year were up 4.6% at the division, to $17.9 billion, including an extra week of sales in the most recent fiscal year. Adjusted sales rose 2.6%.

Protesters in Chicago rally against Walmart's sick-day practice.  “Wal-Mart would rather have their employees come in even though they are very sick,” said Moises Zavala, “just for the sake of stretching their profits

A new Bay Ridge Key Food is set to open up on Thursday, March 11, 2010. 

Friday Morning One Liners...

FRESH incentives approved for first two supermarkets
New York City Industrial Development Agency (NYCIDA) this week approved two tax incentive packages to assist in the development of two new supermarkets in the Bronx — the first projects to be given the go-ahead under the Fresh Retail Expansion to Support Health (FRESH) program, which funds grocery stores in so-called “food deserts.” NYCIDA approved about $3 million in real estate and tax for a Foodtown store, and nearly $5.6 million for a Western Beef location.

Wine at Grocery in NY
Patterson proposes a higher fee for wine in supermarkets
New York Gov. David Patterson is recommending that his previous wine-at-grocery executive budget proposal, which would bring in an estimated $92 million to the state in the form of franchise fees, be amended to increase the required franchise fee for retailers with gross sales of over $1 million...Meanwhile proposals for a $1 per pack cigarette tax increase, and a penny per ounce tax on sugared beverages linked to obesity, remain unchanged.

Ahold’s Giant-Carlisle chain here said Monday that it had completed its acquisition of 25 Ukrop’s stores in the Richmond, Va., market, and that those stores would take on the Martin’s banner later this spring.

King Kullen was #2 on Supermarket News' top 50  independents' list.  Kullen's 52 stores accounted for $940 million in sales in 2009.  While Fareway stores (not Fairway), out of Boone, Iowa, ranked 1st and brought in $950 million.  Glass Gardens came in at 19, The list was compiled to determine the largest supermarket operator in terms of volume with sales below $1 billion in the U.S..  The entire list of 50 companies are available here.

The Washington Post remembers the life of the late UFCW International Vice President Beth Shulman.

Approximately 55 janitors who clean Northern California Safeway supermarkets unconditionally returned to work Thursday night after walking off the job Wednesday night, as protracted contract negotiations continued between SEIU United Service Workers West Local 1877 and four janitorial services employed by Safeway.

Kroger and its union employees in Atlanta and Savannah, Ga., have reached tentative agreement on new contracts, the retailer here said.

DNAinfo gives an update on the new upper east side Fairway Market.  The 60,000 square foot proposed site is on 240 E. 86th street.

Wegmans Food Markets and Costco, Inc. have been chosen the best grocery retailers in a consumer survey conducted by global customer intelligence solutions company Market Force Information, Inc., which will present insights from the survey in a webinar co-hosted by the American Marketing Association

Workers join suit over NYC restaurateur's labor practices: Owner and partners accused of stiffing employees on pay. 

NY Times: Immigrants Claim Wal-Mart Fired Them to Provide Jobs for Local Residents
A small group of West African men who came to the Rockies in search of economic opportunity are embroiled in a dispute with Wal-Mart, accusing it of a raft of discriminatory actions. Most say they were dismissed because supervisors wanted to give their jobs to local people in need of work. Wal-Mart, which has a history of discrimination and labor complaints but has increased efforts to promote diversity at its stores, denies the accusations.

NYT: Once Stigmatized, Food Stamps now finds Acceptance.

Gillibrand endorsed by the New York County Democratic party.

New on the bookshelves: Cornered, a new book by Barry C. Lynn, analyzes the new monopoly capitalism and the economics of destruction:

Regular Harpers and Financial Times contributor Barry C. Lynn paints a genuinely alarming picture: most of our public debates about globalization, competitiveness, creative destruction, and risky finance are nothing more than a cover for the widespread consolidation of power in nearly every imaginable sector of the American economy.

Cornered strips the camouflage from the secret world of twenty-first-century monopolies-neofeudalist empires whose sheer size, vast resources, and immense political power enable them to control virtually every major industry in America in an increasingly authoritarian manner. He reveals how these massive juggernauts, which would have been illegal just thirty years ago, came into being, how they have destroyed or devoured their competition, and how they collude with one another to maintain their power and create the illusion of open, competitive markets.

Random Story of the Week
A 23-year-old Georgia man has been charged with walking into a Walmart, picking up a metal baseball bat from the sports department and pummeling 29 flat-screen TVs, the USA Today has more.

Monday News at Noon: Gillibrand visits Staten Island ShopRite

Crain's NY: Fairway Negotiating for another NYC Site.
Upper East Side residents may soon have a better selection of produce and dairy products to choose from. Fairway Market is in negotiation for a lease at 240 E. 86th St., between Second and Third avenues, according to two real estate sources.

Pathmark is replacing a planned film studio in Philadelphia, plans on opening new store early 2011.

Walmart announced last week it plans to eliminate approximately 300 positions, primarily in the corporate support area at its main offices here, in an effort to be more efficient.

Senator at your Supermarket: Senator Gillibrand (NY) meet with Staten Island shoppers and ShopRite employees in Staten Island Saturday. 

UFCW Local 7: Colorado:  Safeway & King Soopers Ratify.
Safeway and Kroger-owned King Soopers grocery store clerks and meat cutters on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to ratify a four-year contract that they rejected in a vote late last year. The new agreement covers about 3,000 retail clerks and meat cutters in Denver, Broomfield, Parker and Castle Pines.

More: Union improves grocery contracts.

Stop & Shop provides tours to Elementary School children.
The tour is now called the “Stop & Shop Store Explorer Program,” and includes information about recycling, the environment and Stop & Shop’s Healthy Ideas shelf-tag program.

Stop & Shop has been advertising for new 'temporary workers' throughout New England, with contracts expiring on Feb. 20.

More @ The Provincetown Banner

BJ's Wholesale Club opened their store in Flushing on Saturday, instead of cutting a ribbon, they broke bread.

Fox News: Harlem Costco struggles to catch on.

Notorious developer Joe Sitt, plans on developing a $100 million shopping center in Bensonhurst, anchored by a BJ's Wholesale Club.

Tops Markets
Watertown Daily Times: Tops Markets is trying to find another unionized grocer to purchase seven former P&C stores in the north country, partly because they're too far from the Buffalo-based company's core service region, according to grocery union officials.

More @ Syracuse.com

More @ ABC News

A King Kullen Supermarket on Forest Avenue in Glen Cove held a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand re-opening on Friday, January 29 after the renovations of the supermarket were completed.

800 Superfresh workers in New Jersey will vote on a contract today with UFCW Local 152.

A look at the new proposed 11,000 sqft Foodtown in the Bronx, who applied for FRESH incentives.

Politics
John Durso, President of UFCW/RWDSU 338 Editorial: Focus on Green Jobs.

Philadelphia residents can now earn hundreds of dollars and gift cards for recycling with the city's new "Recycle Rewards" program.

NY Labor Commissioner (Patricia Smith) gets the nod for Federal job.

Soda Tax
State Sen. Brian X. Foley (D-Blue Point) last week, led a rally of beverage industry workers against Governor Paterson's proposed 50 percent tax on soda and other drinks.  Thomas Cullen, Vice President of Government and Industry Relations for the King Kullen Grocery Company, said: "This tax on beverages is a regressive tax that will hurt families during difficult economic times. The retail food industry works hard to keep prices down for our customers, but this tax will severely drive up cost to consumers."

Obama's Budget funds Food Retailers in Underserved Areas.
In his 2011 budget proposal, President Barack Obama has called for over $400 million in investments in new and expanded supermarkets, farmers markets’ and other food stores. A public-€private grant and loan program would significantly reduce the roughly 23 million Americans with limited access to full‐service supermarkets and create thousands of retail and construction jobs in low-income areas. The investment, split among the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, includes $250 million in New Market Tax Credit allocations to encourage private investment in underserved communities.

Wednesday News after Noon...

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

The Food Emporium kicked off its second annual "Taste of Australia" event here Friday.

The Blockbuster Express kiosks will be expanded to 35 additional Gristedes stores throughout New York City.

Fairway Market parent company Sterling Investment Partners Thursday said the local food retailer has completed a $114 million debt financing.

As part of its recently revealed reorganization of its American banners’ support operations, Delhaize Group plans to close 15 Food Lion locations and one Bloom store.


Denver: Safeway says it has reached a tentative three-year labor agreement covering about 600 workers represented by Teamsters Local 455.

Investors analyze Supermarkets looking for a fresh start in 2010.

UFCW Local 538 ratifies a new contract with Kraft/Oscar Myer.

Last week UFCW Local 8 began picketing Fresh & Easy stores in California.


Penn Traffic execs to split $1 Million in bonuses.

The Guardian: Walmart: The US retailer taking over the world by stealth; It has beefed up its green credentials, but Wal-Mart's stance on unions and sheer global scale still provoke as much fear as admiration

NJ: Walmart expansion hearing (Upper Deerfield) delayed for a second time.

A Walmart Supercenter has opened in North Bergen County (NJ), Supermarkets prepare for a battle.

"The 217,240-square-foot North Bergen store is designed according to Wal-Mart's new "Project Impact" store prototype, which features farmers'-market-style displays of fruits and vegetables, refrigerated shelves of heat-and-serve prepared foods, and takeout counters for deli dishes and pizzas. The average Wal-Mart supercenter is between 180,000 to 190,000 square feet.
The North Bergen store is stage one of a three-pronged campaign for a share of North Jersey's grocery dollars. A second supermarket, attached to an existing"- Read More.

New York Budget: Update on selling wine in grocery stores; Syracuse.com

Rumors:

Sprint & Walmart teaming up for a nationwide 4G wifi?

A long time rumor circulating in upstate NY is Trader Joe's to the Capital Region [Albany]?  More has surfaced including an email from a reliable source regarding Trader Joe's interest in upstate New York.

Politics:
New York Times, Michael Cooper: GOP Senate Victory Stuns Democrats.

Wednesday Morning One Liners...Walmart video tapes a restroom?

"I am absolutely and utterly incredulous that any company, especially a company of the size of Wal-Mart, would allow people to do this," McLain said today. "I can't believe that they had the audacity to do this."
-Erv McLain, Attorney representing current and former employees at a Pennsylvania Wal-Mart, alleging that Wal-Mart had authorized surveillance video-taping of an employee/customer uni-sex restroom.

The New Jersey Food Council here has announced opposition to a proposed $0.02 cents per gallon tax on all fluid milk sold in New Jersey. The tax was proposed last week as part of a plan to help the state's dairy farmers, who have struggled this year with a collapse in the wholesale price of milk.

A&P announced they will be offering coupons via www.coupons.com

A Wal-Mart in Pennsylvania secretly video taped employees and customers in the restroom. 

Is Walmart the future of Local Food?
One of the most important historic developments in the food economy is embodied in this statistic: in 1900, 40 percent of every dollar spent on food went to the farmer or rancher while the rest was split between inputs and distribution. Now? 7 cents on the dollar goes to the producer and 73 cents goes just to distribution. That’s worth keeping in mind when you read things like this:

... Wal-Mart, now the nation’s largest supermarket chain as well as retailer, has gotten into the local scene, embarking on an effort to procure more of its produce from local growers...

Read the article here.

Hannaford bought a former Stop & Shop in Maine.

Wine-vending Machines? Really?
Approximately 100 Pennsylvania grocery stores may soon be offering self-service wine-vending kiosks in a new program developed in partnership with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.(Image, Right, via ProgressiveGrocer.com)

You can watch Local 1500 President Bruce Both's speech at the Good Food Good Jobs coalition's celebration on FRESH here.

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., Inc. (A&P) has made a $20,000 donation to the “Table to Table” community-based food-rescue program to help feed the hungry during the holiday season.

Grand Junction Free Press in Colorado writes on some Safeway workers receiving a signing bonus for ratifying the company's 'final offer.'

NY Times: Former New York Times building to become mall, condos, hotel.

Release: Campaign against Amish Market

Image via Wikipedia

NEW YORK - (Business Wire)

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 is launching a city-wide, multi-media ad campaign urging New Yorkers to avoid shopping at Amish Market as a part of its ongoing effort to call attention to mistreatment of grocery workers.

The campaign – which includes outdoor, mail, online, and transit components – focuses on Amish Market’s theft of more than $1 million in wages from its employees, a transgression brought to the attention of state officials by UFCW Local 1500 in 2007.

“New Yorkers need to know that stores like Amish Market don’t deserve our support,” said Pat Purcell, Director of Special Projects at UFCW Local 1500. “If you want to do business in New York’s neighborhoods, you have to meet New York’s standards. Stealing more than a million dollars from working people doesn’t come close.”

The print components of the campaign are mirrored on major New York blogs (including Gothamist, CityRag, SeriousEats and MidtownLunch), where ads encourage readers to visit NothingFineAboutIt.org. The site documents a number of abuses committed by Amish Market; New Yorkers can also send a letter to the company announcing their intentions to shop elsewhere.

Campaign creatives can be viewed here:

http://www.ufcw.org/images/amishkioskscreen.jpg
http://www.ufcw.org/images/amishmailerscreen.jpg
http://www.ufcw.org/images/ufcw-pickp-vert-150x6002_120409_135744.gif

Press inquiries should be directed to Corey Owens, cowens@ufcw.org, 202-905-2179.

UFCW
Corey Owens, 202-905-2179
cowens@ufcw.org

SUMMIT ON GROCERY STORES AND GOOD JOBS IN OUR COMMUNITY

In the midst of one of the worst recessions in American history, community groups, local political leaders and academics will consider the role of grocery stores as both retailers and employers.

Recent research suggests that the retail sector will generate thousands of new jobs as the economy recovers…

What does that mean for the Upper East Side?

How will these jobs impact our local economy?

What should we expect from grocers-as-employers?

Hear from experts on the economy, community leaders, and grocery workers as they participate in a roundtable discussion of the Upper East Side’s future in retail.

We hope you’ll join us on Wednesday, October 28, for a roundtable discussion of the issues faced by grocery store employees and grocers-as-employers. You’ll hear from major local employers, grocery store workers, policy experts, and community leaders, as they discuss the ways in which successful grocery businesses can also be community-leading employers. An open discussion will follow the roundtable.

Check out the flier or print the flier here: http://www.buildingblocksproject.org/files/media/thank-you/GG_Summit_Turnout_StorefrontFlyer.pdf

RSVP ON FACEBOOK

Tuesday Morning Read: Wal-Mart's Marketplace, A New CFO for Fairway,

Image via Wikipedia

"It's time the city - led by the Bronx delegation in the City Council - draws a line in the sand and tells Related it needs to accept that make-or-break [living-wage] provision in a community benefits agreement.."

-Bob Kappstatter, on the need to pay living wages in the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory, in today's Daily News. (From the WFP)

King Kullen and Wild By Nature are among six grocers receiving the 'Green Chill Award' from the EPA.

Wal-Mart's future:
Wal-Mart adds a full grocery store without adding much square footage, without titling it a 'SuperCenter'

Wal-Mart Marketplace: Walmart has partnered with several retailers, enabling the merchants to sell their products at Walmart.com. The program is called Walmart Marketplace. The initial group of retailers selling via Walmart.com includes CSN Stores, eBags and Pro Team.
Read More [WSJ]

Preservationists need help in the fight with Wal-Mart and a Civil War battlefield.

Penn Traffic Co. here said yesterday that Tod A. Nestor, senior vice president and chief financial officer, will leave the company effective Sept. 18 to become the CFO of Fairway Market, the New York-based specialty grocery chain that has been expanding into the suburbs.


Elsewhere, NYC & Politics

Working Families Party: Tell the NYC Council to pass the paid sick days bill 

NY Times Swine Flu editorial.

31,000 legal immigrants' health care will be cut in Massachusetts.

NYC Health Dept Ad campaign targets soda's and sugary sport drinks.

Representative Peter King won't run against Gillibrand, would have run against Kennedy.

Is Spitzer eying a comeback?

New York City OTB, an entity controlled by the state, will file for bankruptcy.

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President Obama Visits Kroger store to meet with Local 400 members today

(BRISTOL, VA) – President Barack Obama will hold health care town hall meeting at the Bristol, Virginia, Kroger grocery store today – Wednesday, July 29 at 4:00 pm. Workers at this store are members of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Local 400, and are speaking out for quality, affordable health care for all.

“We’re honored and excited to host President Obama,” said Vera Lewis, a member of the UFCW and a floral designer at the Bristol Kroger. “Like President Obama says, health care reform can’t wait. We need a health care system that covers everyone and brings down costs now.”

UFCW members see the face of the healthcare debate every day across the nation. They work as pharmacists, in health care facilities, and in grocery stores like the Bristol Kroger. UFCW members see that average families are struggling and we need reform that will ease the burden on working families.

“UFCW members have sacrificed to protect quality health care at the bargaining table,” said UFCW Local 400 President Jim Lowthers. “Reform has got to level the playing field and put an end to irresponsible employers freeloading their health care onto responsible companies and the taxpayer. Our members are proud to stand with the President and say that now is the time for health care reform.”

UFCW Local 400 represents more than 40,000 workers across Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Tennessee and the District of Columbia. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail, meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries.

For more information, contact press@ufcw.org.

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