Thank You for Your Hard Work This Holiday Season

It's not said enough, thank you.

Your work throughout the last few weeks has helped thousands of families enjoy their holidays.

We appreciate it!

President Speelman Receives Labor Press Leadership Award

Last night Local 1500 President Tony Speelman was among six honorees for the annual Labor Press Leadership Awards. Speelman was introduced and presented an award by UFCW International President Marc Perrone.

Speelman's remarks are below.

Thank you- Today, in such a divided nation unsure of its future - communication is more important than it has ever been.

Organizations like Labor Press are vital, and I mean vital to the millions of hardworking men and women throughout our state and country.

If we can’t rely on the mainstream media to properly cover an election without putting profits before effective journalism, how can we expect the media to cover stories that affect the true backbone of our country, America’s workers?

We can’t.

Our stories, the amazing stories of the hardworking men and women we are all so privileged in this room to represent, are rarely heard by people outside the audiences in rooms like these. They are given far below the attention they deserve.

Issues of fair pay – trade – health care – job security – building infrastructure the right way, with union jobs – affordable college education – raising our wages - pension reform - these are real issues we all face each day that are rarely sprinkled throughout news cycles covering scandals and outrageous quotes from elected officials.

That’s why what Neal and his team at Labor Press do each day is so important. That’s why I’m so honored to receive this award. The one thing we all take away from the election is the power of the media. The power of message – The more of our stories that are out there, the more people will hear the realities of what workers are going through and why we need ACTION from our elected officials, not just their rhetoric.

This is how we win. This is how we build a better country, community and movement for working people. Thank you very much for this honor and lets get to work.

Emergency Stop & Shop Strike/Lockout Update Meeting: Sunday Nov. 24th

Stop & Shop Long Island Handbill for Distribution

Get up to date on the latest info from negotiations with Stop & Shop.

With Thanksgiving approaching, we need to come together and discuss Stop & Shop's greedy demands in their contract proposals, and our next actions.

There are two meetings on Sunday, November 24, 2013, both at 7 PM

Meeting A: Long Island
7 PM Long Island Marriott Hotel
101 James Doolittle Blvd. Uniondale NY

Meeting B: Upstate
7PM Mt. Kisco Holiday Inn
One Holiday Inn Drive, Mount Kisco, NY

Please attend and spread the word to your coworkers about this emergency meeting.

Contact us for any questions you may have.

Stop & Shop Upstate Handbill for Distribution

We Endorse Stephen Levin for NYC Council District 33

Statement from Bruce W. Both, President, UFCW Local 1500:

"Stephen has brought energy and common sense to the New York City Council since his election in 2009.  Most importantly he brings a passion to serve the constituents of his district and the working men and women of New York City. Councilmember Levin works hard to see that government is working for them and not the other way around. As a Councilmember, he has stood side by side with our members in their fight to protect the middle class and to share in the American Dream.  We will work hard to see he is re-elected."

UFCW Local 1500 represents 23,000 members and promotes progressive policies such as demanding Wal-Mart be held accountable for it's unethical business practices, supporting the expansion of supermarkets into underserved communities and creating good food, good jobs and good health for all New Yorkers.

Other Issues of importance to Local 1500 members include aggressive wage theft prosecution, demanding labor standards be attached to corporate subsidies and strengthening New York City land use laws.  UFCW Local 1500 has an active "Women's Network Program," which addresses issues particular to women such as domestic violence and breast cancer.  Over half of UFCW Local 1500 members are women.

Statement from Patrick Purcell, Assistant to the President, UFCW Local 1500:

"Councilmember Levin was an early supporter of Local 1500's "Building Blocks" Campaign that called on New York City to develop a food policy that focuses on bringing full service supermarkets to under served communities. Stephen is dedicated to bringing good food, good jobs and good health to all New Yorkers and will continue to develop smart policies that will grow our cities economy and develop middle class jobs. Our members are thankful for his leadership."

UFCW Local 1500 represents 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, Key Food. Fairway, D'agastinos and Shop Rite.

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Local 1500 Member Wins UFCW Child Care Grant!

UFCW Local 1500 member Monica Mercier from Stop & Shop 543 has won the UFCW Women's Network Child Care Grant. Congratulations, Monica!  Field Director Terry Quinoñes and Union Representative Lynn Shiels awarded Monica with her grant this week.  This is a great benefit provided by the UFCW Women's Network.  The grant provides UFCW/RWDSU members with a dependent(s) financial assistance for day care, another great benefit for belonging to the UFCW.  Congratulations again, Monica!

Weeks End News Briefs: Walmart in LA, A&P Bankruptcy & Whole Foods in Brooklyn

Here's a round up of the top News from this week: 

The A&P Bankruptcy judge has OK'd the company's Chapter 11 exit plan.  A&P also announced, Sam Martin will remain as CEO.

President Bruce Both of UFCW Local 1500 has released a statement on Sam Martin's salary and bonus during bankruptcy.

UFCW President Joe Hansen was on the Bill Press show discussing: Walmart, Presidential Primaries & the political attack on workers around the country. Check it out on the UFCW Blog!

A 52,000 square foot Pennsylvania Pathmark, set to close within two months, has four potential supermarket retailers vying for the site. Hopefully they're union employers.

The Southampton Press has an update on a new King Kullen in Southampton.

Trader Joe's has finally signed the Fair Food Agreement with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, agreeing to pay a penny more a pound for tomato pickers in Florida, which is speculated to be nearly a 50% increase in pay for farmers.

With Whole Foods on pace to open 27 new stores this year, on Tuesday they won approval to build their first store in Brooklyn at the Gowanus Canal.

Walmart is trying to open a neighborhood market in LA, a 33,000 square foot store would be the first 'neighborhood market' in LA, and is proposed to be opened below a multi-floor senior citizen apartment complex. The project is being met with opposition from small businesses throughout downtown LA. Check out more @HuffingtonPost.

Ahold (parent company of Stop & Shop) has bought the online retailer Bol.com for $470 million, in order to increase internet sales.

Ahold also had a huge fourth-quarter, announcing their fourth-quarter profit jumped 75% 

Britain's largest unions are threatening a strike during the Olympics.

American Rights at Work released a great report which reveals when employees come together, benefits go beyond the workplace.

In support of UFCW Local 5's negotiations, Local 5 members are dropping by stores asking consumers for support by signing pledge cards.

And finally if you hadn't heard, an over 15-year UFCW Local 1776 member and Diary Manager won a Grammy! Congratulations!

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk: Over $9K Raised!

An enormous THANK YOU to everyone who participated and raised money this October for Breast Cancer awareness!  Together we raised over $9300!  Great job to all who came to the walk, and to those who raised money at their stores!  Below are some pictures from the walk and some fundraisers at stores.  If you have any other pics, send em in! Email to info@ufcw1500.org!  Thanks again for raising a tremendous amount of money for a great cause!