Wild By Nature Contract Update: Agreement Reached

—WILD BY NATURE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE —

 

 

We are pleased to report your Union negotiating committee has reached a tentative agreement with Wild by Nature. Thanks to your support, the negotiating committee has worked hard to come to an agreement you can be proud of.  The next step is reviewing and voting on the agreement.

 

Voting will take place on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 at five different locations (you may vote at any location) from 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM & 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM.

 

Voting Locations

• Wild by Nature 201: 198 Main St. East - Setauket, NY
• Wild by Nature 202: 369 West Main St. - Huntington, NY
• WIld by Nature 203: 260 West Montauk Highway - Hampton Bays, NY
• Wild by Nature 204: 2709 W. Long Beach Rd. - Oceanside, NY
• Wild by Nature 205: 478 Union Blvd. - West Islip, NY

 

 

At the vote you will receive a tentative agreement which you will be able to review. Your Union Representative and negotiating committee members will be present at each voting location to answer your questions. The Union negotiation committee unanimously reached this agreement and unanimously recommends to accept the new contract.

 

It is very important that you participate in the voting so that you may ACCEPT or REJECT the company’s last proposal for the new contract. Please encourage your coworkers to read the tentative agreement and vote on Sept. 8th!

 

Contact your Union Representative by phone or email if you have any questions.
 

 

In Solidarity,

 

Wild by Nature Union Negotiating Team

UFCW Local 1500

 

 

Are you a UFCW Local 1500 member?

We want to hear what you think.
Please take a 30 second survey on what you think of your union:

http://www.ufcw1500.org/Survey16

 

NLRB Cancels Union Election after Charges Filed Against Mrs. Green's Natural Market

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500, New York's largest grocery workers union announced that the National Labor Relations Board [NLRB] has canceled the October 17th union election due to new charges against Mrs. Green's Natural Market for violating federal labor laws over the last three months.

"We're disappointed that Mrs. Green's new CEO has decided to take the company in the same direction as their former CEO," said UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce Both, alluding to the recent appointment of Pat Brown as CEO of Mrs. Green's Natural Market. "Like his predecessor, Mr. Brown failed to take advantage of an opportunity to address the serious labor management problems at Mrs. Green's Natural Market by declining to implement a fair and democratic process for the workers at Mrs. Green's to elect to join a union." Thirteen total charges were filed against the Mrs. Green's that lead to the NLRB canceling the union election. Charges included: "Select employees were granted wage increases" "Select employees' hours were cut in retaliation for their support of the Union" "Employees could not get raises due to Union election", the other 10 instances are attached to this release for download.

Mrs. Green's Natural Market has settled over 20 labor violations in the last 15 months with the National Labor Relations Board. Under Brown's predecessor's leadership, the company was charged with illegally firing eight longtime workers from its Mt. Kisco store for supporting the UFCW union. Those workers were left on a picket line for over 6 months in front of the store, until the company succumbed to community and political pressure to rehire them.

"Mrs. Green's management is clearly intimidated by their employees banding together to collectively demand more from their employer, and the company has repeatedly shown they are willing to do whatever it takes, including breaking federal labor laws, to keep the union out," said UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce Both.

For more information on the workers at Mrs. Green's Natural Market please visit www.mrsgreeds.com.

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United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, based out of Westbury, New York, represents over 23,000 grocery workers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties.

Stay up to date with UFCW Local 1500 on twitter @ufcw1500, and at www.ufcw1500.org.

Contact UFCW Local 1500 at info@ufcw1500.org.

New York's Largest Grocery Workers Union Slams Newly Appointed CEO of Mrs. Green's Natural Market

Calls comments "short-sighted" and a "disappointment"

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 President Bruce W. Both released the following statement regarding the appointment of Pat Brown as CEO of Natural Markets Food Group, the parent company of Mrs. Green's Natural Market:

"We and the workers from Mrs. Green's eagerly awaited new CEO Pat Brown's statements on the future of Mrs. Green's Natural Market, and we were all equally disappointed.

"Like his predecessor, Mr. Brown failed to take advantage of an opportunity to address the serious labor management problems at Mrs. Green's Natural Market; declining to acknowledge any of the hardworking men and women who have been instrumental in emerging Mrs. Green's from a small chain of stores in one state, into a rapidly expanding international market.

"Brown's comments are short-sighted for a company that was been charged with and settled over 20 labor violations in the last 15 months with the National Labor Relations Board. Under Brown's predecessor's leadership, the company was charged with illegally firing eight longtime workers from its Mt. Kisco store for supporting the UFCW union. Those workers were left on a picket line for over 6 months in front of the store, until the company finally succumbed to community and political pressure to rehire them. Ignoring these problems will not make them go away.

"Mrs. Green's is plagued with worker unrest because their 'core mission' doesn't include workers. The company needs to acknowledge and respect the men and women who help them achieve their "core mission", every day."

For more information on the workers at Mrs. Green's Natural Market please visit www.mrsgreeds.com.

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United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, based out of Westbury, New York, represents over 23,000 grocery workers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties.

Stay up to date with UFCW Local 1500 on twitter @ufcw1500, and at www.ufcw1500.org.

Contact UFCW Local 1500 at info@ufcw1500.org.

Support Workers Fired for Exercising Basic Rights-

By: Tony Speelman
Secretary-Treasurer, UFCW Local 1500


David Ramirez and Martha Urgiles worked in the Mrs. Green’s Dairy Department for over ten years. Elivia Miguel worked at Mrs. Green’s for over 11 years. Yesica Mendez worked at Mrs. Green’s for four years. These are just four of the nine workers who were fired from Mrs. Green’s Natural Market in Mt. Kisco for “poor customer service.” Like you, the workers at Mrs. Green’s saw a lot of change at their store over the last year. After new management took over in December of 2012, a friendly, community favorite manager was fired.

This was the first of many changes employees were about to endure throughout the next year. Throughout the changes longtime employees stood up and began to demand better treatment from management. An overwhelming number of workers filed for a union election in May, losing by just three votes. Afterwards, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) charged Mrs. Green’s with violating federal labor law, performing illegal interrogation and intimidation of employees in the weeks leading up to the election.

 After charges were filed, employees from the store began to meet with local elected politicians, including Assembly Member Shelly Mayer, to discuss the difficulties they face every day at their job. Workers were thrilled to meet with and receive the support from their elected officials who took the time to speak to them about their lives. The federal charges were settled in November, and Mrs. Green’s agreed under federal order to post a notice in their store for 60-days. The notice notified Mt. Kisco employees of their basic rights that were protected under federal laws.

 During the 60-day posting, Mrs. Green’s abruptly fired nine pro-union workers for “poor customer service”. A majority of the fired workers had over seven years on the job; some had worked for the company for over a decade. The fired workers were not only leading supporters of the union in the election, but were the same workers who met with politicians in the Mt. Kisco area for help. We have since filed federal charges against Mrs. Green’s and called the firings illegal retaliation and are hopeful they will all be reinstated.


Many of you may have seen the workers in front of the store the last two weeks, notifying customers they have come to know over the last decade, they were fired for “poor customer service.” There has been an outpouring of support from former customers who have pledged not to shop at the store. Today, community members, community groups, and former customers will join the fired workers on their picket line, calling for a boycott of the store until the fired workers are reinstated. Local politicians will also be there to support the fired workers and the community. Please come by and show your support for the men and women who have helped sever you at Mrs. Green’s for the last decade and demand management reinstates the workers.

 For more info on any of these events please head to www.ufcw1500.org.

 Tony Speelman is Secretary-Treasurer of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union Local 1500. UFCW Local 1500 is based out of Westbury, New York, 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, Fairway, Stop and Shop, Gristedes, D’Agastino, Key Food, Shop Rite and King Kullen. Stay up to date with UFCW Local 1500 on twitter@ufcw1500, facebook.com/ufcw1500, www.ufcw1500.org. Contact UFCW Local 1500 at info@ufcw1500.org.

Endorsement of Kathleen Rice for 4th Congressional District, NY

Kathleen Rice and UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce Both

We're pleased to announce the endorsement of Kathleen Rice for Congressional District 4 in Nassau County. Kathleen's commitment to working families and our Local as District Attorney of Nassau County has made her a proven leader.  We're pleased to support her run for Congress.

Check out our press release below:

State's Largest Grocery Workers Union Endorses Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice for Congress

Union Cites Rice's Unwavering Commitment to Nassau County Families

WESTBURY, NY (01/30/2014)= United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union Local 1500, representing over 22,000 New York State grocery workers, announced today that they have endorsed Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice to be the next Congresswoman from New York's 4th Congressional District. The Union cited D.A. Rice's nationally recognized effort to combat drunk driving and drugs which are issues of great importance to the membership of Local 1500.

"District Attorney Kathleen Rice has proven to be a leader who has the ability to be creative, courageous and forward thinking when it comes to the issues that affect the families of Nassau County," said Bruce W. Both, President of UFCW Local 1500.

"It was Kathleen Rice who fought drugs and the crime they bring to the neighborhoods of Long Island. Through her efforts there has been a significant reduction in crime and violence in Nassau County. Whether as an Assistant District Attorney in New York City, as a Homicide Prosecutor in Brooklyn, Assistant United States Attorney or as a Federal Prosecutor in the Philadelphia office of the Department of Justice, Kathleen Rice is a proven leader," Both stated.

"The people of the 4th Congressional District would be well served by sending Kathleen Rice to Washington, DC. UFCW Local 1500 is proud to endorse Kathleen Rice to be the next Representative of the 4th CD and believes she is exactly the type of leader necessary to bring all New Yorkers together," President Both concluded.

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United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, based out of Westbury, New York, represents grocery workers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Members of Local 1500 are employed by A&P/Pathmark, Fairway, Stop and Shop, Gristedes, D'Agastino, Key Food, Shop Rite and King Kullen.

Stay up to date with UFCW Local 1500 on twitter @ufcw1500, facebook.com/ufcw1500, www.ufcw1500.org.

Contact UFCW Local 1500 at info@ufcw1500.org.

Tentative Agreements Reached with King Kullen & Stop & Shop

Tentative Agreements Reached with King Kullen & Stop & Shop

Vote & Contract Review Scheduled for Monday, December 23 @ 8 AM - 8 PM at the following locations.

Yesterday our union negotiating committee's for Stop & Shop and King Kullen announced they reached tentative agreements.  

Stop & Shop members have been without a contract since November, and King Kullen's latest extension was set to expire on 12/21. 

Meetings to review and vote for the tentative agreement will be held on Monday, December 23, 2013 from 8 AM to 8 PM at the following locations.  

(Note: You may review the contract for as long as you would like on Monday at the locations below from 8 AM - 8PM)

King Kullen Review & Voting Locations:

Nassau:

UFCW Local 1500 Office
425 Merrick Ave. Westbury NY 11590

Suffolk:
Ramada Plaza Long Island Hotel
1730 North Ocean Ave. Holtsville, NY 11742 

Stop & Shop Review & Voting Locations:

Nassau: UFCW Local 1500 Office 425 Merrick Ave. Westbury NY 11590 Suffolk: Ramada Plaza Long Island Hotel 1730 North Ocean Ave. Holtsville, NY 11742 Brooklyn: Stop & Shop Avenue Y 1710 Avenue Y Brooklyn, NY 11235 Staten Island: Stop & Shop of Hylan Blvd. 2754 Hylan Blvd. Staten Island, NY 10306 Yonkers: The Royal Regency 125 Tuckahoe Rd. Yonkers, NY 10710 Dutchess: The Ramada Hotel Route 9 Fishkill, NY 12524

President Bruce Both said:  "The only way we could have reached  tentative agreements was through your solidarity, preparedness and dedication. I thank you for your support during this tense and difficult process. I urge all members to come to one of the polling sites, review the contract thoroughly, then vote for their best interests."

If you aren't already, please follow our Facebook and Twitter where updates are posted regularly throughout the day.

Thank you again, 

Bruce Both

President, Lead Negotiator, UFCW Local 1500

The Stop & Shop Negotiating Committee 

King Kullen Negotiating Committee 

Tentative Agreements Reached with Stop and Shop, King Kullen -

UFCW Local 1500 announced they have reached tentative agreements with Stop and Shop and King Kullen.

UFCW Local 1500 Official Logo

After three-months of tense negotiations, the negotiating committee for United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1500 announced they have come a tentative agreement with Stop & Shop.  The previous agreement expired on Sept. 28th and was extended twice until November 2nd.  Since then 6,000 New York Stop & Shop workers from the East End of Long Island, to Rhinebeck, in upstate New York, have been working without a contract. 

"Our team has fought every second of the day to try and secure not just "any contract" but the best contract we can.  We feel we have,” said Negotiating Committee Member Greg Pasquale from Stop & Shop in Beekman, NY.

Secretary-Treasurer for UFCW Local 1500 Tony Speelman said, ”The only way we were able to reached this tentative agreement was through our members’ solidarity, preparedness and dedication during this tense and difficult process.  I urge all Stop & Shop members to come to the polling sites, review the contract thoroughly, then vote for their best interests.”

Problems with Affordable Care Act mandates were cited throughout negotiations.  UFCW Local 1500 had been in final stages of planning for a work stoppage at Stop & Shop if a deal could not be reached.

The negotiating committee for United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1500 announced they have come a tentative agreement with King Kullen after three-months of negotiations.  The previous agreement expired on Sept. 28th and was extended four-times, the latest was set to expire on December 21, 2013.

Both tentative agreements for over 8,400 King Kullen and Stop and Shop workers will be voted on Monday, December 23, 2013 from 8 AM to 8 PM at the following locations

Meetings to review and vote for the tentative agreement will be held on Monday, December 23, 2013 from 8 AM to 8 PM at ANY of the locations below.  It is VERY important for you to vote! (Note: You may review the tentative agreement for however long you would like between 8 AM - 8 PM on Monday, Dec. 23) Find the six (6) Stop & Shop Contract Review/Voting Locations Here. Find the Nassau & Suffolk King Kullen Voting/ Review Locations Here.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, based out of Westbury, New York, represents over 22,000 grocery workers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Members of Local 1500 are employed by Pathmark, Fairway, Stop and Shop, Gristedes, D'Agostinos, Key Food, Shop Rite and King Kullen.

Stay up to date with UFCW Local 1500 on twitter @ufcw1500, facebook.com/ufcw1500, and at ufcw1500.org.

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

Stop & Shop Refuses Contract Extension- Contract w/ 6,000 Workers Expires

(Wikipedia)

Support for Stop and Shop Workers Grows As Company Refuses Union Offer of Contract Extension
Union Members Will Continue to Work To Avoid Inconveniencing Loyal Customers

A ground swell of public support for over 5,500 unionized Stop and Shop employees seeking a new labor contract was "callously" disregarded by management as the company refused to sign a Union offer of a two week contract extension. The Union, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 (UFCW), in deference to shoppers and their communities, has agreed to temporarily allow workers to report to work while the Union continues to try to reach an acceptable agreement and avoid a strike that can legally take place anytime after midnight November 3rd.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Local 1500 was given the authority to call a strike by Stop and Shop employees on October 28th in response to their employers attempts to drastically reduce their employee healthcare benefits and, for some workers, eliminate them completely. The strike authorization remains in effect until an acceptable agreement is reached.

Effected Stop and Shop employees are employed by Stop and Shop Supermarkets operating in Long Island, the five boroughs, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties.

"The overwhelming response from the public in support of the Stop and Shop employees has failed to encourage the company to sign the two week contract extension offered by the Union," said Anthony Speelman, Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 1500 and lead negotiator for the Unions Stop and Shop Negotiating Committee. "The workers have received unprecedented backing from consumers, politicians, community groups and labor organizations. These same people are being callously ignored by Stop and Shop management who are clearly prioritizing their greed over their employees and customers needs," Speelman continued. 

"Despite Stop and Shops disregard for their loyal workers and shoppers, the Union will not immediately commence a strike and will remain at the bargaining table," Speelman stated. "However, it takes two parties to make a deal and Stop and Shop's approach to these negotiations has been one-sided and obstinate. If they do not change their approach, a strike is inevitable, " Speelman concluded.

 "Stop and Shop management fails to understand that shoppers who come to our stores are not just customers but are also friends and neighbors," said Greg Pasquale, Produce Manager for Stop and Shop in Beekman, New York and a member of the Unions Negotiating Committee. "My co-workers and I do not want to inconvenience shoppers, lose pay or create economic hardship for our communities. However, management must come back to the table with a new attitude and partner with us to reach a fair agreement to avoid a strike," Pasquale concluded.

 The Union has launched a massive public information campaign that includes press outreach, social media and labor to neighbor organizing. They are also engaging elected officials via meetings, phone calls and emails.

 United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, based out of Westbury, New York represents grocery workers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Members of Local 1500 are employed by A&P/Pathmark, Fairway, Stop and Shop, Gristedes, D'Agastinos, Key Food, Shop Rite and King Kullen. Stay up to date with UFCW Local 1500 on twitter @ufcw1500, facebook.com/ufcw1500,www.ufcw1500.org.

Release: Union Contract Covering 5,500 Stop and Shop Workers Set to Expire Midnight Sunday

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 (UFCW), New York State's largest grocery workers union, received authorization Monday evening from their members employed by Stop and Shop Supermarket to call a work stoppage should negotiations fail to produce an acceptable agreement. The strike authorization allows the Union to call a strike after the November 2 contract expiration date. The strike vote was taken in response to Stop and Shop's attempts to drastically reduce employee healthcare benefits and, for some workers, eliminate them completely.

A labor dispute with Stop and Shop would affect 5,500 members employed by Stop and Shop Supermarkets operating in Long Island, New York City's Five Boroughs, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. The current collective bargaining agreement with Stop and Shop expired on September 28, 2013 however both parties agreed to two contract extensions

"The members of our Union working for Stop and Shop are prepared to negotiate a fair contract," said Anthony Speelman, Local 1500's Secretary Treasurer and lead negotiator for the Union's Stop and Shop bargaining committee, "They understand there must be changes to their Health Fund to be compliant under the legal requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). They have approached these negotiations with an open mind."

"Unfortunately, Stop and Shop has responded to their employees' good faith bargaining efforts with negotiating tactics that are arrogant and insincere," Speelman continued. "Last night those employees sent a clear message to Stop and Shop that they will do whatever it takes to protect the Union contract they have earned over the years and will no longer tolerate disrespect from Stop and Shop management. Our members always hope for the best but are prepared and ready for the worst," concluded Speelman.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, based out of Westbury, New York represents grocery workers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Members of Local 1500 are employed by A&P/Pathmark, Fairway, Stop and Shop, Gristedes, D'Agastino, Key Food, Shop Rite and King Kullen. Stay up to date with UFCW Local 1500 on twitter @ufcw1500, facebook.com/ufcw1500, www.ufcw1500.org.

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Stop and Shop Supermarket Workers Set To Authorize Strike

Union Contract Covering over 5,500 Members Set to Expire Midnight Sunday

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 (UFCW), New York State's largest grocery workers union, will ask over 5,500 Stop and Shop Supermarket workers for the authority to call a Union strike that could come as early as next Sunday, November 3rd. The strike authorization meetings will take place Monday night October 28th in Nassau and Westchester Counties. The strike vote is being taken in response to Stop and Shops attempts to drastically reduce employee healthcare benefits and, for some workers, eliminate them completely.

Effected members are employed by Stop and Shop Supermarkets operating in Long Island, the five boroughs, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties.

The current collective bargaining agreement with Stop and Shop expired on September 28th, 2013 but both parties agreed to two contract extensions. The most recent extension is set to expire on November 2nd, 2013.

"The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was not passed with the intent of eliminating an employers responsibility to provide affordable and comprehensive healthcare to its employees," said Anthony Speelman, Local 1500's Secretary Treasurer and lead negotiator for the Union's Stop and Shop bargaining committee. " Stop and Shop seems to think the ACA is an opportunity to achieve three goals: increase their profits, pick their employees pockets and undermine the Union contract. That type of irresponsible bargaining will only lead to three conclusions: a work stoppage, unnecessary inconvenience for their customers and devastating economic damage to hundreds of New York communities," Speelman continued.

"The Union came to the bargaining table in good faith understanding that we would have to make changes to our Health Fund to be compliant under the legal requirements of the ACA and there is no question that the ACA has presented unprecedented challenges," Speelman stated. "However, there are solutions. The Union's solutions will address both sides' economic needs. Stop and Shop's solutions will only address their greed," Speelman concluded.

The meetings being held Monday nights are at the following locations:

- 7:00 PM, Long Island Marriott in Uniondale (by Nassau Coliseum) 101 James Doolittle Blvd, Uniondale, NY

- 7:30 PM Holiday Inn, 1 Holiday Inn Drive, Mt. Kisco, NY

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, based out of Westbury, New York represents grocery workers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Members of Local 1500 are employed by A&P/Pathmark, Fairway, Stop and Shop, Gristedes, D'Agastino, Key Food, Shop Rite and King Kullen. Stay up to date with UFCW Local 1500 on twitter @ufcw1500, facebook.com/ufcw1500, www.ufcw1500.org.

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Attention Stop & Shop, King Kullen Members: Contract Proposal Meetings Announced

We're approaching the expiration of King Kullen and Stop & Shop Collective Bargaining Agreements fast!  

All Stop & Shop members and King Kullen members must attend contract proposal meetings to make their voice be heard and have an impact on our next contract.

RSVP by clicking the links below (Facebook) or for more info send us an email!

 
May 14, 2013: Stop & Shop Contract Proposal Meeting (Long Island)

Where: Sheraton, Long Island Hotel: The Nassau/Smithtown Room110 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY 11788

When: 7:00 PM

Our first contract proposal meeting has been scheduled! Come to the meeting and make your voice heard as we head into negotiating our next Collective Bargaining Agreement!

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May 14, 2013: King Kullen Contract Proposal Meeting

Where: Sheraton, Long Island Hotel: The Suffolk Room

110 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY 11788

When: 7:00 PM
Our first contract proposal meeting has been scheduled! Come to the meeting and make your voice heard as we head into negotiating our next Collective Bargaining Agreement!

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May 21, 2013: Stop & Shop Contract Proposal Meeting JFK (Brooklyn/Queens)

Where: Sheraton @ JFK
144-02 135th Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11436 

When: 7:00 PM

Our first contract proposal meeting has been scheduled! Come to the meeting and make your voice heard as we head into negotiating our next Collective Bargaining Agreement!

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May 21, 2013: Stop & Shop Contract Proposal Meeting Mt. Kisco (Upstate/Westchester)

Where: Holiday Inn Mt. Kisco
One Holiday Inn Drive, Mt. Kisco NY 10549 

When: 7:00 PM

Our first contract proposal meeting has been scheduled! Come to the meeting and make your voice heard as we head into negotiating our next Collective Bargaining Agreement!

Release: NYS Independent Dems Must Pass Minimum Wage

New York Grocery Workers Union Calls On Independent Senate Democrats to pass Minimum Wage Without Delay

Urges IDC to Join with 27 Other State Democrats and "Help the Poorest in Our Society"

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers union with over 23,000 members, called on the New York State Independent Democratic Conference to join with the New York State Senate Democratic Conference and pass a minimum wage bill with indexing "without further delay."

"If New York working families are to truly believe that Albany has indeed changed, then 32 Senate Democrats coming together and taking action that will help lift hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers from the poverty wages they earn today must happen without delay," said Bruce W. Both, President of UFCW Local 1500.

"Leaders of both Democratic conferences have now said that they support a minimum wage of $9.00 an hour with indexing.  Therefore the math is simple: twenty seven Democrats plus five Independent Democrats equals economic relief for the poorest in our society," Both continued, "There is no moral reason to delay this bill one day longer and only petty politics at this point could stand in the way of true economic justice for hard working New Yorkers."

UFCW Local 1500 members working in stores located as far east a Montauk and as far north as Rhinebeck have been actively involved in the campaign to raise the minimum wage and have signed thousands of postcards in support. Those postcards were delivered to New York Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein at a press event in early February.

"Sometimes even in Albany things come together and present themselves as a clear, irrefutable opportunity to help the poorest in our society. This is one of those times," said Patrick Purcell, Assistant to the President for UFCW Local 1500.

"The majority of both New York State's legislative branches have spoken clearly on the need for a $9.00 minimum wage. Delays at this point will only renew a feeling of cynicism that politics and self interest still triumph over what is right for New York working families. We cannot return to those days," Purcell concluded.

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

World's Most Ethical Company!?

Ethisphere, an international think-tank, named Target Corp. one of the World's Most Ethical Companies in 2011! (This could be the title of an Onion article)  

We all witnessed how Target acted last year when their employees from Valley Stream banded together and demanded more from the company.  Target was literally federally charged in 2011 for violating their workers rights, yet today they find themselves on a list of the world's most ethical companies.  Target is not even the most ethical company in Valley Stream Long Island, let alone the rest of the world.

Act now! Sign the petition to have Target Corp. removed as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies!  http://signon.org/sign/ethisphere-remove-target

Head to facebook.com/targetchange hear what Target workers have to say!

 #

Friday Mornin' News Brew

Here are some top industry stories to start your day:

BJ's Wholesale Club has opened up three new locations, one in Virginia and in Ithaca & Deer Park, NY.  The grand opening of the 85,000 square foot Deer Park (Long Island) store is this weekend. [Press Release]

Stop & Shop raised over $2 million for with their "Foods for Friends" program, 100% of the proceeds will go to food pantries throughout the Northeast.

The Bridgehampton Citizen Action Committee supports banning plastic bags, and wants Southampton to do the same.

One is never enough....Walmart opened their second Chicago Supercenter this week.

A Bankruptcy judge has OK'd A&P's $750M exit financing.

The Valley Stream Herald reports on Target, and us, gearing up for the February 1st NLRB hearing.

Tuesday Mornin' News Briefs

Image via Wikipedia

"Right to Work" laws are for the 1%.

A&P to close 14 stores, here is their Press Release.  More @ Progressive Grocer, CityBizRealEstate,  ABC News, Supermarket News, Atlantic City Press.

A&P is accusing Stop & Shop of purposefully snarling its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case by making “illusory” claims of potential pension liabilities. From Supermarket News:

Ahold on behalf of its U.S. banners Giant-Landover and Stop & Shop has filed 216 separate proofs of claim for any increases in pension contributions that Giant and Stop & Shop may have to pay as a result of A&P’s withdrawal from multi-employer pension plans in which Giant and Stop & Shop participate.

The NLRB swears in three new members.

Epoch Times writes about the proposed new Walmart in East Patchogue, Long Island.  More at Newsday (subscription required) and at Patch.

Target Change: Target & Apple a match made in heaven. 

The UFCW Local 1500 Fairway in Douglaston, Queens, raised nearly $7k for the slain NYPD Detective, Peter Figoski's family.  In total, Fairway donated $20,000 to the scholarship fund.

"We have a long standing history of supporting those who serve New York City and when we saw the tragedy that happened, we felt we had to jump in and help out in any way that we could,” he said of the market’s decision to donate to the scholarship fund. “What’s unique about how we did this is that we involved our customers as well.”
Figoski, 47, who was the father of four daughters between the ages of 14 and 20 years, was killed when he and his partner showed up at the scene of an alleged drug robbery that was taking place in Brooklyn.

Republicans in Indiana, in what the AFL-CIO blog calls a 5-minute charade this morning, have pushed a "right to work" bill in an 8-5 vote.

Not only were Democrats barred from offering any amendments, no discussion of the bill was allowed and immediately after the vote, the hearing was adjourned. Rep. John Bartlett (D) told reporters that he’d “never seen a charade like this in my life.”

And Trader Joe's plans in Albany need minimal approval.

Monday Mornin' One Liners: Nov 4 - Nov 7th: Burkle to Chair A&P

#A&P

Ron Burkle will chair A&P under the new buyout plan.

The proposed new board of directors would also include two designees each from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Mount Kellett Capital Management; one director selected by the United Food and Commercial Workers union; and A&P’s chief executive officer, Sam Martin. The former two companies are combining with Yucaipa on a $490 million deal to buy A&P out of U.S. Bankruptcy Court and operate it as a privately held company, as reported first in SN Thursday. The plan is predicated upon savings as a result of a new labor deal with the UFCW, which has yet to be reached.
Read more: http://supermarketnews.com/retail_financial/burkle_ap_1104/?cid=upd#ixzz1d1mrohwR

The Bergen Record: A&P Deal Called Positive for Unions, Business.

Wall Street Journal: Yucaipa keeps A&P in its Grocery Basket.

More @ Reuters, Progressive Grocer.

The Westbury Times profiles a Local 338 member working at Waldbaum's and how the A&P bankruptcy is affecting workers.

Patch highlights how A&P's negotiations have been affecting local workers in Long Island.

#Industry
Best Yet will take over for a shuttered Waldbaum's in Patchogue, Long Island.

The National Labor Relations Board accuses Target of intimidating workers at Valley Stream before their union vote this past June.

There's a Thanksgiving Food Drive at Dix Hills Stop & Shop.

King Kullen opened a new store Friday in Garden City, Long Island.

Rumors of a new "high-end" supermarket could be opening in Southampton.

30 workers at Master Food in Flatbush have been overworked and underpaid, Local 338 helped them win back wages and a union contract!

Workers at a Flatbush supermarket who charged they were illegally stiffed on their wages for years settled a lawsuit for $300,000 - and a union contract.

The 30 workers at Master Food on Church Ave. charged they worked 12 hour days, six or seven days a week, for as little as $3.93 an hour, and never got required overtime pay. Read more: @ Daily News

#Politics

Prioritizing attacks on NLRB at the expense of Jobs:
 According to a new report from American Rights at Work in 2011 alone Republicans have launched nearly 50 attacks on the National Labor Relations Board. 

The AFL-CIO says it right: "The assaults on workers’ rights comes at a time when most Americans say jobs are the nation’s No. 1 priority."

Check out the report along with some interesting graphics here.

  

AFL-CIO Blog: For the third time in a month, senate repbulicans kill "Rebuild America Act," an act which would create hundreds of thousands of jobs.

The AFL-CIO Blog also lists Verizon and 29 other very large corporations who haven't paid taxes since 2007.

Unions supply food for thousands of Occupy Oakland protesters.

UFCW Blog: 80,000 Jobs aren't enough to re-start our economy.