UFCW President Hansen Statement in Response to President Obama’s Executive Action on Immigration

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joe Hansen, International President of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), today released the following statement in response to President Obama’s plan to take executive action on immigration.

“Today the President announced he will take belated but necessary action to provide relief to immigrant workers, families, and communities. Make no mistake—this is not a substitute for comprehensive immigration reform. But it will prevent the deportation of many immigrants who would have qualified for citizenship under the Senate bill that passed over 500 days ago.

“For nearly a year and a half, the House Republican leadership has refused to take action to fix our broken immigration system. The President has both a legal right and moral responsibility to step in.

“At the UFCW, this has been our fight for decades. Our members and their families have persevered through raids and deportations. UFCW members have mobilized to defeat racist ballot initiatives and our union has assisted workers with the legalization process while negotiating contracts that protect our members where the law fails to. All along, those in UFCW gold have lobbied for comprehensive immigration reform at protests, marches, rallies, town halls, and just yesterday, in front of the White House.

“We will continue to call on Congress to send legislation to the President’s desk. But with no bill to sign, President Obama is rightly using his pen to provide relief to those who are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. Executive action is not all we need or deserve. But it is a step in the right direction and for that we are thankful.”

---

En español:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joe Hansen, el presidente internacional de la Unión Internacional de Trabajadores de la Industria de Alimentos y del Comercio (UFCW, por sus siglas en inglés), publicó hoy la siguiente declaración en respuesta al plan del presidente Obama de llevar a cabo una acción ejecutiva sobre la inmigración.

“El Presidente anunció hoy que tomará medidas algo tardías pero necesarias para prestar asistencia a trabajadores, familias y comunidades de inmigrantes. Que quede claro: esto no sustituye de ninguna manera la necesidad de una reforma migratoria integral, pero servirá para prevenir la deportación de muchos inmigrantes que hubieran reunido los requisitos necesarios para obtener la ciudadanía de acuerdo con el proyecto de ley del Senado que se aprobó hace más de 500 días.

Por casi un año y medio, los líderes de republicanos de la Cámara de Representantes se han negado a tomar medidas para arreglar nuestro sistema de inmigración roto. Es tanto el derecho legal como la responsabilidad moral del Presidente intervenir en este asunto.

En la UFCW, esta ha sido nuestra lucha por décadas. Nuestros miembros y sus familias han perseverado a pesar de las redadas y las deportaciones. Los miembros de la UFCW se han movilizado para combatir las iniciativas electorales racistas y nuestra unión ha asistido a los trabajadores con el proceso de legalización y con los contratos negociados que protegen a nuestros miembros en los casos en los que la ley no lo hace. Desde el principio,  aquellos que participan en el programa Gold de la UFCW han cabildeado para lograr una reforma migratoria integral por medio de protestas, marchas, mitines, asambleas públicas y ayer específicamente, frente a la Casa Blanca.

Continuaremos exigiéndole al Congreso que envíe legislación al despacho del Presidente. Pero mientras no haya proyecto de ley para firmar, el presidente Obama ha decidido usar su bolígrafo, en pleno uso de sus derechos, para proporcionar asistencia a aquellos que intentan construir una vida mejor para sí mismos y para sus familias. Esta acción ejecutiva no es todo lo que necesitamos ni todo lo que merecemos. Pero sí es un paso en la dirección correcta y por eso estamos sumamente agradecidos”.

###
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries. 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 about the UFCW’s effort to protect workers’ rights and strengthen America’s middle class, visit www.ufcw.org, or join our online community at www.facebook.com/UFCWinternational and www.twitter.com/ufcw.

1600 Protests at Walmart Scheduled for Black Friday

This just in from Our Walmart, there will be an enormous 1,600 protests on Black Friday! Wow.  The movement has grown so much to fight back against the world's largest/wealthiest retailer, each year Black Friday protests are getting larger.  To find a protest near you please visit: blackfridayprotests.org



Here's the press release:

WALMART WORKERS ANNOUNCE BLACK FRIDAY STRIKES

Tens of thousands of teachers, voters, clergy, environmentalists, civil rights leaders to join workers at 1600 protests, calling on Walton family to pay $15 an hour and provide full-time work

NATIONWIDE – In the wake of the first-ever sit down strike at Walmart, members of OUR Walmart announced today that they will strike across the country on Black Friday in protest of the company’s illegal silencing of workers who are standing up for better jobs. Tens of thousands of Americans said they plan to support workers that day at 1600 protests nationwide—the largest mobilization of working families—calling on Walmart’s owners to raise wages to a minimum of $15 an hour and provide consistent, full-time work.

Even as Walmart brings in $16 billion in annual profits and Walmart’s owners—the Waltons—build on their $150 billion in wealth, the majority of Walmart workers are paid less than $25,000 a year.

“Walmart’s low pay business model isn’t working for our families, for our customers and for the company, but change is possible,” said Barbara Gertz, a Walmart associate from Colorado. “Walmart needs to listen to workers like us about how to fix these problems by adding hours and improving pay so that we can get the job done. Threatening and firing us for speaking out about how to improve the stores is illegal and shortsighted. That’s why I’m going on strike on Black Friday and why so many of my co-workers are joining me.”

The unprecedented Black Friday mobilization comes as an increasing number of Americans and Walmart workers point to OUR Walmart as making significant changes at the country’s largest retailer. Most recently, after public calls from OUR Walmart, the company committed to raise wages for its lowest paid workers and rolled out a new scheduling system that allows workers to sign up for open shifts. To date, workers at more than 2,100 Walmart stores nationwide have signed a petition calling on Walmart and the Waltons to publicly commit to paying $15 an hour and providing consistent, full-time hours.

A broad group of Americans who plan to protest on Black Friday, including tens of thousands of teachers, voters, members of the clergy, elected officials, civil rights leaders and women’s rights activists say America’s largest employer and richest family are driving the income inequality problems that are holding the country back. In Washington, residents plan to protest at all 60 Walmart stores in the state. In other states, Americans are planning flash mobs, marches and prayer vigils to support striking Walmart workers and call on the company to improve jobs.

"Shame on Walmart and the Waltons for creating a reality where many Walmart workers say they can't even afford to give their kids Thanksgiving dinner because of their low pay. As someone who has dedicated her career to helping children grow and achieve their dreams, that tears me apart," said teacher and AFT New Mexico President Stephanie Ly. "This Black Friday, teachers, parents and students will all be out protesting at Walmart like never before saying we've had enough. Walmart needs to raise pay and provide full-time work now so workers can feed and support their families."

The Black Friday strikes and protest announcement comes on the heels of the first-ever sit down strikes in company history in Los Angeles, where workers sat down in Crenshaw and Pico Rivera stores, and 23 people were arrested. Los Angeles is also the site of the first-ever strikes at Walmart. The group of striking workers, from stores throughout California, placed tape over their mouths signifying the company’s illegal efforts to silence workers who are calling for better jobs. Striking workers held signs resembling those of the first retail sit-down strike at Woolworth in 1937, when retail workers at the then-largest retailer in the country called for the company to increase pay, provide a 40-hour work week and stop the retaliation against workers who spoke out.

“While today, the disparity of wealth and poverty in the U.S. is just as outrageous as it was during the Great Depression, Walmart is far larger and more global than Woolworth’s ever was, and thus even more dangerous,” said labor historian Dana Frank. “Like the Woolworth's women in 1937, the workers in OUR Walmart are challenging a mass retailer with tentacles all over the world to treat its employees with respect, and inspiring a growing national movement against inequality and for the just treatment of all working people.”

A growing number of Americans say Walmart and its owners are robbing workers of a decent living by paying the majority of associates poverty wages and manipulating their hours. The Walton family, which controls the Walmart empire, is the richest family in the U.S.—with the wealth of 43% of American families combined. While many Walmart workers are unable to feed and clothe their families, the Walton family takes in $8.6 million a day in Walmart dividends alone to build on its $150 billion in wealth. Walmart brings in $16 billion in annual profits.

###
UFCW and OUR Walmart have the purpose of helping Walmart employees as individuals or groups in their dealings with Walmart over labor rights and standards and their efforts to have Walmart publicly commit to adhere to labor rights and standards. UFCW and OUR Walmart have no intent to have Walmart recognize or bargain with UFCW or OUR Walmart as the representative of its employees.

Doesn't Walmart Have Enough to be Thankful For?

By: Adam Obernauer
adam@ufcw1500.org

A lot has been happening in the world of Walmart leading up to this Thanksgiving, and for the corporate giants, it ain’t looking good.   While Walmart CEO Mike Duke has announced that he’s stepping down, waves of strikes leading up to Black Friday have been the strongest yet.  In this past month alone, workers went on strike in Miami, Brooklyn Center, Tampa, Sacramento, Dallas, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, and cities throughout Ohio. Walmart has been feeling the pressure and in an effort to correct the company’s image, has tried to show the world that their employees are not telling the truth. They are the good guys that “care” about the community.

A Walmart in Ohio asked employees
to donate food to other employees "in need

In a failed effort to show how much they “care,” Walmart planned a Thanksgiving food drive for their own employees.  The food drive came from the Canton, Ohio based Walmart and the irony became a media sensation. The story hit everywhere from the New York Times' comic strip mocking the company, to Stephen Colbert’s comedy skit, to high profile actors like Ashton Kutcher getting into media battles with the company.

So what does Walmart need to do to try to create the illusion that it’s trying to help the community? This Thanksgiving, Walmart is set to donate over $1 million to food banks and local charities across New York State alone. With these recent efforts, Walmart is in line to be the most darkly ironic business in the world.  Instead of raising the pay and benefits of their own workforce that can’t afford to buy food on Thanksgiving, they’re more willing to throw large sums of money to Anti-Hunger groups in the name of “charity”.

Walmart has long established itself as the "worst of the worst" and is the epitome of corporate greed.  From the sweatshops overseas, the fires in the Bangladesh factory killing thousands, to the bribery of the Mexican government, and the thousands of workers going out on strike demanding better pay, it leaves us to think, when is enough, enough? When will Walmart be held accountable for the destruction of local communities and the devastation in factories throughout the world? When will the irony be strong enough so people no longer accept Walmart’s donations and pathetic attempts at being an accepted and respected business?

We think that the time should have come long ago and hope that this Thanksgiving, people give thanks to the workers in these stores that have to suffer day in and day out to continue to make the Walden’s the richest family in the world.

Southern California Contract Update

Image via WikipediaJune 10, 2011 - The Orange County Register - Peggy Stowe

Union leaders are pessimistic that they will reach a contract deal with three Southern California supermarket chains and fear they are moving toward a strike. Other unions in Los Angeles and San Diego joined in solidarity with Local United Food & Commercial Workers this week. Negotiations with a federal mediator continue through this month.

No talks are schedule for July. Greg Conger; president of Local 324 in Buena Park, said the grocery chains refuse to compromise on health care proposals, so he is pessimistic that a deal will be reached. "We're getting closer to a strike," Conger said. "I'm concerned they're going to back us and themselves into a corner we can't back out of." A spokesman for the grocery chains said that any talk of strike is "unnecessary" and that there are still schedule days of negotiations. "The only place where we can reach an agreement is at the bargaining table, and we believe our focus should be there, reaching a fair and reasonable contract," said Daymond Rice, a Vons representative speaking for the tree chains.

Some 62,000 United Food and Commercial Workers voted April 21 to authorize a strike against Albertson's, owned by Supervalu Inc.; Ralphs, owned by Kroger Co.; and Safeway Inc., which owns Vons & Pavilions. The last contract expired in March. The last strike began in October 2003, with 70,000 grocer workers walking picket lines at 900 stores. When the strike ended in February 2004, grocers had lost an estimated $1.5 billion. The sticking point this time is health care benefits, with the companies insisting on increased deductibles, higher employee out-of-pocket expenses and other plan changes.

The proposals would push some $450 million back on employees, Conger said. The companies counter that the proposal is reasonable and will still provide employees with "quality, affordable health care," said Fred Muir, a spokesman for Albertson's. "Although the proposal makes some changes to the current health and welfare plan, employees would pay as little as $9 a week for coverage, receive coverage if they work 16 hours per week depending on their job, and have access to an excellent health care plan that allows them to receive comprehensive coverage for themselves and their families," Muir said.

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor started a fund to support striking workers and other labor leaders promised to honor the picket lines at all the grocery stores. Asked if there is a strike deadline, Conger said leaders have discussed setting a date but haven't reached a consensus.

To support Southern California Grocery workers, head to UFCW's E-Activist page: https://secure3.convio.net/ufcw/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=219

MAKING CHANGE AT WALMART STANDS IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL VOICES

From the UFCW International:

Community coalitions across the country push for quality job creation,
challenge Walmart on new stores in major U.S. cities

WASHINGTON – Coalitions in cities targeted for new or expanded Walmart stores took action yesterday to rally for sustainable, quality job creation in their communities. Across the country, community members, elected officials, religious leaders, chambers of commerce, small business owners and others joined together and spoke out to ensure the jobs being offered by Walmart meet strong standards for healthy, growing communities. These coalitions plan to engage local policymakers about the need for quality jobs and responsible business practices as the real path to economic recovery.

Events and announcements happened in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland. Planned events in New York City; Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. were rescheduled due to snow. The following Locals are active in these cities’ coalitions: 5, 8GS, 338*, 400, 770, 881, 888, 1102*, 1167, 1428, 1445, 1500, and 1776. Regions 1 and 8 and the RWDSU District Council of the UFCW are playing major coordinating roles in this effort. Photos and video from yesterday can be viewed at http://www.ufcw.org/makingchange/action.cfm

"As a grocery store employee and Chicago native, I think we must create jobs that pay fairly and raise standards for the entire industry," said J. Marie Hopkins, a UFCW member for 36 years, cashier at Jewel Food Stores in Chicago, and resident of the 21st Ward. "That's why my fellow union members in the UFCW are standing with these community coalitions. We demand a say about the kind of businesses that come into our neighborhoods."

Hopkins is one of the many UFCW members around the country who is committed to supporting Walmart Associates in their work to get the respect from the company that they deserve. Two Walmart Associates from the Baldwin Park, California store spoke at yesterday’s event in Los Angeles.

In cities across the United States, Walmart is seeking access to new markets and customers, spurring local and national debate for good reason. These local coalitions have formed to educate the public and policymakers about the impact of Walmart’s business practices, and call for quality jobs that allow people to sustain their families. Walmart has been documented for its controversial and sometimes illegal employment practices, poverty-level wages and for ranking highest for the number of employees qualifying for state government health care assistance.

Making Change at Walmart, a campaign of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, stands in solidarity with these community coalitions in major cities across the country as they push for higher standards for working people and question Walmart’s entry or further expansion into their cities. See www.ufcw.org/makingchange for more information.

###

UFCW News Service
www.ufcw.org

Peapod expands to N.J., Could a Fairway Market be coming to Bay Ridge?, Eli's adds a new 'energy tax', plus more one liners....

Image via Wikipedia

For the Bay Ridge shoppers who lost a Key Food in June, rumors of a Fairway Market are now circulating.

Shoppers are less than amused about an energy surcharge passed along by a fancy food store in New York City. Eli's, on the upper East Side posted a sign saying: "An energy surcharge of 1.8 percent will be added to every purchase."  Owner Eli Zabar (ZAY'-bahr) concedes that it's "a very arbitrary number" _ but says it's actually low.

The New York Times and residents don't necessarily agree with it.

Supermarket news covered UFCW's NEPAC ceremony.

 

A Sacramento Superior Court judge has rejected an attempt by Ralphs Grocery Co. to restrict informational picketing at a Foods Co store in Sacramento.

A Los Angeles federal grand jury indicted several former Ralphs Grocery Co. employees Friday for conspiring to rehire hundreds of locked-out employees under false names and social security numbers during the Southern California grocery workers strike.

More on this story from the LA Times.

King Kullen was featured on a presentation of  'Going Green Long Island' which will air Saturday, Sept. 27 at 3 p.m., late night Sunday, Sept. 28 at 3 a.m. and Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. on WLIW21. The documentary will also stream in its entirety on www.wliw.org/goinggreenLI.

 

A new smaller Stop & Shop format is anchoring a new plaza in Mass.


They're also is expanding their Gluten Free Foods.

Internet grocer Peapod, LLC and supermarket chain Stop & Shop have opened a new facility to serve New Jersey's Monmouth and Ocean counties, following healthy sales in other parts of the state.

Here's more on the new Peapod in NJ.

Verizon Communications Inc. employees in two unions have ratified a 
three-year contract, giving higher pay and other benefits to about a quarter of the work force.

The Brooklyn Paper has a sneak peak of Trader Joe's in Brooklyn.

One more day until Trader Joe's in Brooklyn.

Article on Feds probing Food Prices, specifically in NYC.

More at AngryMob.

Organizing struggles and Company resistance to go union leads to a union election to take place in a car.

UFCW Strike authorization was approved in Canada for a local store..

Other

A coalition of 10 Northeastern states will take steps this week to check global warming when it conducts the nation's first carbon auction, taking the same approach that curbed lake-killing acid rain.

 New York’s commuter transit system just got a little easier to navigate. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Google Inc. on Tuesday unveiled a new online service to help customers find their way around the region’s web of buses and trains.