UFCW Local 99 Settles contract, Local 1360 authorizes strike, Local 7 gets 'best, final offer'...Monday Morning Read

Image via Wikipedia

ShopRite puts specials on iPhone Application.

UFCW Local 99 averted a strike by coming to terms with Phoenix Supermarket Operators.

South Jersey UFCW Local 1360 had a strike authorization vote.

KYW News has more.

Meanwhile UFCW Local 7 will recieve Safeway's "last, best and final offer."

Last week Joe Sitt and NYC inked the Coney Island deal.

UFCW and Smithfield Foods launched a Feed the Hungry program in NYC last week.

King Kullen is accepting water bottles at all 52 of their stores for recycling at their redemption centers.

Lee Scott, former Wal-Mart CEO, joins a private equity firm.

Wal-Mart also announced they'll be restructuring their Asada ownership.

Meanwhile there are new Black Friday rules that retailers must oblige by.

Wal-Mart Stores here said they increased productivity and improved inventory management resulted in a better customer experience and contributed to improved financial results for the third quarter, which ended Oct. 31.

Target settled their expired baby formula lawsuit.

BJ's Wholesale Club executives to speak at Morgan Stanley Global and Retail Conference.

A study has found that just one in 10 union members is in manufacturing, while women account for more than 45 percent of the unionized work force. Read more from Steven Greenhouse, NY Times.

NY Times; Union Members becoming more educated.

The first Costco opened in NYC last week.

Trader Joe's leases property on sixth avenue.....The Real Deal has more on the move.

A&P family of supermarkets teams up with City and Island Harvest to feed the hungry.

WFP BLOG: For many ill with the flu, staying home isn't an option

Newsday: Sometime this morning, teams of lawyers for Thomas Suozzi and Edward Mangano will begin opening and counting more than 7,000 absentee ballots in the race for Nassau County executive.

Hillary Clinton says she is not planning on running for NY Governor. 

Lou Dobbs abruptly quits CNN.

Tuesday Morning One Liners...

Image via Wikipedia

Spartan Stores, a grocery supplier to independent grocers and operator of 99 retail stores throughout Michigan, offering GM workers and UAW workers who lost their jobs discounts on gasoline and groceries.

Rite-Aid workers and union supporters will rally in Times Square on Thursday before a shareholders meeting...workers in Lancaster have been struggling over one year to negotiate their first union contract.

A national Ad group has told Wal-Mart Stores yesterday that it should stop running TV ads claiming customers can save $700 a year by shopping its stores. This is not the first time Wal-Mart has been told to stop making claims like these in advertisements.

Wal-Mart has also named a new diversity officer.

Wal-Mart is also having yet another 'sales tax mishap', overcharging customers, this time in Missouri. If you remember this was previously an issue in Connecticut.

Lee Scott, the former chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores, called on attendees at the CIES World Food Business Summit here on Friday to join the Global Social Compliance Program to help ensure that suppliers are adhering to local wage and environmental regulations.

A&P store in Midland Park, N.J. next Saturday morning will have a Jonas Brothers day.

Price Chopper has announced they will analyze their labor costs.

Hyde Park Stop & Shop update: voting waits on traffic light location.

Another study has confirmed, lack of nearby supermarkets takes years off life.

As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, adding a supermarket to a neighborhood could, collectively, mean a gain of up to 15 years of life for those suffering from diabetes; 13 years for those with liver disease; 58 years for people with diet-related cancers; and 112 years for people with cardiovascular disease.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn unveiled an agreement with the Bloomberg administration last Thursday on a trifecta of measures geared toward making it easier for small businesses in the city to launch and prosper.

The city of Philadelphia has rejected a measure that would ban plastic bags.

USA Today: For immigrants, living the dream is getting tougher.

Wal-Mart News...

Image via Wikipedia

Wal-Mart predicts zero waste by 2025.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc's recently retired Chief Executive, Lee Scott, took home a total of $30.2 million in the year ended January, slightly down from a year ago, as revealed by the company's proxy statement.

Trader John's is no more, Wal-Mart pays more fines....

Image via WikipediaThe South Hampton Press writes on grocery stores permitted to sell wine.

Wal-Mart's paying Minnesota $14 Million.

Trader John's is no more, after a court ruling yesterday, here's a photo of them covering the sign up.

More @ city life: Another defeat for Castamatidis. Lots of blogs are having fun with this story.


Wal-Mart, which used to enjoy good business despite the economic slowdown, is experiencing the bite of the ongoing recession on its sales, said outgoing Wal-Mart chief executive officer H. Lee Scott.

Lee Scott regrets not addressing his critics.


Wal-Mart & the American Labor Movement

• Can Labor Revive the American Dream? [The Nation]
  This simple amendment to federal labor law, which would, among other things, allow workers to unionize when a majority sign cards rather than requiring a bruising election, has galvanized the business community in a way even the $700 billion bailout couldn't. "I get the sense that this is more important to them than even taxes or regulation," says the AFL-CIO's director of government affairs, Bill Samuels. "This is about power. And the business community is not going to give up power willingly." Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott said as much to a meeting with analysts in October. "We like driving the car," he told them, "and we're not going to give the steering wheel to anybody but us."
  

• Passage of US Employee Free Choice Act is Key to Global Organising Drive [UNI Global Union (Switzerland)]
  Jennings on Tuesday chaired a meeting with leaders of US unions affiliated to both the AFL-CIO and the Change to Win federation, who are working together to get the legislation passed. UNI President and UFCW President Joe Hansen and AFL-CIO President John Sweeney spoke at the opening of the meeting, which also included representatives from the International Trade Union Confederation and trade union centres from around the world.

The Fresh Market to open first Connecticut store in Novermber.

Politics

Freshman State Sen. Brian X. Foley has landed a plum committee chairmanship as Democrats assume control of the Senate for the first time in 43 years

New Yorkers want Cuomo over Kennedy.

Here's more on Suozzi and seat.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Unions in the American Economy-Becker
• Wal-Mart Settles 63 Lawsuits Over Wages

Lee Scott said what?, Another tax loophole closes for Wal-Mart, FTC tells Whole Foods to rebrand Wild Oats, Trader John's

Image via WikipediaYesterday Lee Scott addressed the National Retail Federation in New York City, urging cooperation to solve the nations health care crisis.

Lee Scott, the outgoing chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores, asked business leaders to embrace such initiatives as universal health care, renewable energy and immigration reform during a presentation to attendees at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show here yesterday.

He [Lee Scott], also sees a new consumer mindset.

Local retailers throughout China are teaming up to battle Wal-Mart.

Another Wal-Mart Tax loophole may come to an end, this time in West Virginia.

The UFCW is gearing up for their Wal-Mart battle in Canada.

More info on Wal-Mart's new private label line "the Wal-Mart Great Value line"

And if that's not enough Wal-Mart news, they're also on the verge of setting up shop in Russia.

The FTC asks Whole Foods to re-brand Wild Oats.

Whole Foods is also putting off another store, this time in New Hampshire.

Wegman's CEO recognized for 'business ethics'

AdAge brings up a great point regarding the Trader Joe's, Trader John's lawsuit. "But in New York, no one's afraid to blatantly copy and/or steal a good idea -- hence Ray's Original Pizza, Ray's Pizza, Famous Ray's Original Pizza, Original Famous Ray's Pizza, New York's Rayriginal's Fizza, etc"

Progressive Grocer picked up the story also.

Food Marketing Institute’s new president and chief executive officer said the association is working diligently on a range of issues with Congress and the incoming Obama administration.

Politics

Caroline Kennedy still has a shot at the Senate seat says Governor Patterson.

Tom Suozzi met with Patterson on the Senate seat.

Anthony Weiner blames Mayor Bloomberg for New York City's growing problems, specifically the "boom-and-bust planning"

Democrats, first time in control of the State Senate since 1965 made some moves yesterday.

Elsewhere

A battle is raging on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where CVS is wooing cash-strapped shoppers with house-brand anti-wrinkle cream that’s as much as 30 percent cheaper than L’Oreal SA’s Advanced Revitalift.

Buying online to avoid sales taxes could end soon.

Zoo's and Aquariums may face the ax here.

Do the Rockerfeller Drug laws need reform?

Wal-Mart in 2018, Fairway gives away free groceries, Food Banks forced into partnerships, Monday One-Liners...

Image via Wikipedia

Financial analysts look at Wal-Mart in 10 Years, they see banks, mortgages and a New York City store by 2018.

Starting on Monday, Fairway Market is holding a “Free groceries for a year” sweepstakes. Entry forms and contest details are available in the Plainview store

Lee Scott on Meet the Press, chief executive said consumers have changed their behavior to cut costs amid concerns about job security during the recession.

Wal-Mart is still violating Connecticut tax laws.

Newsday is asking if Wal-Mart could be held liable for the Black Friday stampede.

King Kullen Grocery Company recently presented a check for $100,000 to Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York, an organization that finds adoptive and foster homes for children on Long Island and in New York City.

The NY Observer writes about the Garment Center rezoning, and NYC's promotion of unionized workforces.

Food Banks are being forced to partner with farms and fishermen.

Patterson was pretty upset over an SNL skit this weekend.

A Lawsuit accuses famous Chef and TV host of 'Top Chef' of wage & hour violations in NYC.

Newsday thinks Peter King could play spoiler in the vacant NY Senate seat.

McCain doesn't know if he'd support Palin for President.

When will Wal-Mart close the Union Shop?, Friday One-Liners...

Image by Getty I

Happy Friday, here's what's in the news12/12/2008

The Island Harvest is holding a few food drives at some Local 1500 stores this weekend.

Lee Scott will address the nation including the economy on Meet the Press Sunday

There has been a call for a state probe in the Black Friday stampede

WakeupWal-Mart is wondering how long it will take for the recently unionized Wal-Mart [Canada] to close.

Delhaize Group said it has named Stefan Descheemaeker as its new chief financial officer, effective Jan. 5.
Read more of this story

BJ's Wholesale Club here on Thursday made it official: Laura Sen will be its next chief executive officer.
Read more of this story

A coalition of food safety, science and consumer groups has urged President-elect Barack Obama to appoint a Secretary of Agriculture "who has had experience with or has been an advocate of the USDA's nutrition, food safety, and conservation programs" and who "has had experience providing leadership to a large and diverse organization."
Read more of this story

Stuart Applebaum released a statement regarding the idea of Caroline Kennedy taking Hillary's vacant Senate seat.

Applebaum also released a statement responding to a Labor Department report that the number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits has soared to 4.43 million.

Christine Quinn announced, No rebate checks for Christmas

Betsy Gotbaum is meeting with her potential successors.

Stop & Shop sits down sith LI Business News, H. Lee Scott has a successor, King Kullen goes 'greener' & Monday Morning One Liners...

Image via Wikipedia

Industry

Long Island Business News had a sit down with Stop & Shop district manager Bob Hempson, discussing how the economy is affecting the industry.

Wal-Mart announced that Mike Duke will succeed H. Lee Scott as President and CEO of the company.

Supermarket News covered this story

The new improved Brooklyn Heights Gristedes has opened.

Here's video and photos of the new shop.

Ahold said it had sales and market-share gains at all three of its U.S. banners in the third quarter, and retail operating margins improved to help the company beat analysts' profit expectations.
Read more of this story

Whole Foods was voted the 'Healthiest Supermarket'

Wal-Mart Stores here yesterday announced its first substantial purchase of wind energy in the U.S., which will supply up to 15% of the company's total energy load in approximately 360 Texas stores and other facilities.
Read more of this story

The U.S. Circuit Court here has rejected a request by Whole Foods Market to have the Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust case heard by the full Court of Appeals.
Read more of this story

The cover story of this weeks Long Island Press, encourages readers to shop local by shopping at King Kullen.

King Kullen is getting Kudos for going "Greener".

The UFCW is getting some criticism for it's anti-Wal-Mart stance in Arizona.

UFCW Union members have rejected the latest contract offer from Grain Processing Corp. in Muscatine, Iowa.Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 86D rejected the proposal in a vote on Saturday. About 360 workers have been locked out of the plant since Aug. 22 after the two sides failed to reach an agreement.

Organizing

The Downtown Express is satisfied with an Amish Market in Downtown Manhattan, though they see the next step as Trader Joe's.

Policy, Development

The SF Gate covers urban farming in major American cities.

Politics

Director of Special Projects, Pat Purcell spoke at a press event against Frank Padavan's protesting of minority ballots in the 11th State Senate race.

Hillary Clinton agreed late last week to leave her position as New York's junior senator to take the secretary of state job.

And finally a school on Long Island has been renamed Barack Obama Elementary School


Like the morning one-liners??? Fill the form to have it sent to your email every morning.

Wal-Mart being sued for mind control?, Stop & Shop adds 2 more stores, Morning News

Image by Brave New Films via Flickr

A man in Canada is suing Wal-Mart, Microsoft, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (the Mounties) for alleged mind control, satanism and witchcraft. The man claims he was "subject to invasive brain computer interface technology, research, experiments, field studies and surgery." He is seeking $2 billion in damages.

Unless your family eats less, Thanksgiving dinner will cost an average 5.6 percent more than last year's, a farmers' and ranchers' trade group said Thursday

UFCW Blog: Employee Free Choice Act is the most Democratic process.

Duane Reade sales are up.

More on Stop & Shop adding 2 Grand Unions in Mass.

Wal-Mart Stores is optimistic about its prospects for the holiday season, based on financial results for the third quarter ended Oct. 31, Lee Scott, president and chief executive officer, told investors yesterday.
Read more of this story

Ninety-three percent of consumers say that fish labeled "organic should be raised while consuming a 100% organic diet, just like other certified organic poultry and livestock, according to a recent survey from Consumers Union, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group and publisher of Consumer Reports magazine.
Read more of this story

Willets Point project is a done deal.

Quinn takes on Bloomberg's plans.

The NY Post writes: Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State