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.

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.

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