Breaking News: New York Area Supermarkets Authorize Strike

New York Area Supermarkets Authorize Strike

News from UFCW Local 1500

New York Area Supermarket Workers Authorize Strike

Job Action against "Corporate Greed" to Affect Entire Region as 4th of July Weekend Approaches

QUEENS VILLAGE, NY (06/26/2010)(readMedia)-- Over 16,000 supermarket workers have sent a clear message to the three major supermarket chains that are seeking to "wage a campaign of corporate greed against both the workers and the public": We are prepared to strike you. United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW ) Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers Union, held meetings with employees of Stop and Shop Supermarket, King Kullen Markets and A&P/Pathmark on Wednesday and Friday of this week and received unanimous support to authorize a strike against the three companies. The job action will affect 150 supermarkets and 16,000 workers as well as millions of New Yorkers preparing for 4th of July celebrations.
"Stop and Shop and the other two supermarkets are examples of the widespread corporate greed New Yorkers read about every day in the newspaper," said Patrick Purcell, spokesperson for UFCW Local 1500. "Their irresponsible push to squeeze every penny they can from the pockets of workers and shoppers is coming to an end now. Our members are prepared to walk the line on behalf of not just themselves and their families but for every customer that has expressed anger over the business practices of Stop and Shop and the other two Supermarkets."

"Customers have been telling our members for weeks how tired they are of under staffed stores, empty shelves and long lines. They tell our members that they see how prices go up when cost such as fuel go up but that prices never go down when those cost go lower," said Purcell. "The customers have been victims of this greed and they can see that Stop and Shop and the other two companies are now going after the workers. The public is sick of corporate greed and so are our members. This fight will not just be about the workers but a statement on massive corporate greed against the general public," Purcell concluded.
Negotiators for Stop and Shop and the other supermarkets continue to seek reductions in the employees' health benefits and pensions while asking the workers to contribute more out of their paychecks for both. They are also seeking wage freezes, job elimination and refuse to give any new money for student scholarships. "I did not truly know what greed looked like until I sat across the table from Stop and Shop negotiators," said Greg Pasquale, a Stop and Shop employee from Poughkeepsie. "They have such little respect for their workers and their customers. All that matters to them is money and they seem to think they should have all it."

For consumers, the Union has sent up a web address that will lead them to public updates about the potential strike. The website is www.nysupermarkets.com.
United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 is based out of Queens Village and represents 23,000 grocery workers in the Metropolitan New York area.

For updates, continue to visit www.1union1voice.com or call the Contract Update Hotline:1-800-522-0456 ext.245

GROCERY UNION HEADS TO AIRWAVES TO FURTHER MESSAGE OF LOOMING STRIKE

GROCERY UNION HEADS TO AIRWAVES TO FURTHER MESSAGE OF LOOMING STRIKE

Union will Notify Millions of New Yorkers of Potential Strike over the July 4^th Weekend which would affect hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers

QUEENS VILLAGE, NY (06/23/2010)-- United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers’ Union, has purchased airtime on New York’s number one AM Radio  station (1010WINS) to notify millions of New Yorkers of an impending strike with Pathmark/A&P, Stop & Shop Supermarket and King Kullen Markets.  UFCW Local 1500 is currently negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the three companies, though little progress has been made through months of negotiating.  The strike would affect supermarkets on Long Island, the Five Boroughs, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties and may also possibly affect supermarkets in New Jersey and Connecticut. The contract expiration date is Saturday, June 26th.  Any potential job action will directly affect the 4th of July weekend for hundreds of thousands of customers.

Beginning on June 23^rd, UFCW Local 1500 will run Public Service Announcements on 1010WINS, during “Drive-Time”.  The announcements will air during both the morning and evening commutes.  “This is a serious situation,” said Pat Purcell, a spokesperson for UFCW Local 1500. “We feel that it is our responsibility to notify the public of the gravity of the situation.” UFCW Local 1500 began notifying the public and law enforcement agencies of the impending strike last week. The release informed customers that fulfillment of their 4^th of July grocery orders rests upon fragile and boiling labor negotiations. “Frankly speaking, Stop and Shop, King Kullen and Pathmark are playing with fire, and it’s their customers who will get burned.”
The looming strike would affect over 150 Supermarkets, 16,000 workers and hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. “The three companies have put their corporate greed in front of doing what’s right, both for their employees, and for their customers. As members of the communities they do business in, these companies have a responsibility to their customers, right now, they’re essentially gambling with their customers’ 4^th of July weekend plans.” Purcell concluded.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 will continue purchasing airtime and print media throughout the week to keep the Public informed of the looming strike. “We’ll continue to be honest with the public while Stop and Shop, King Kullen and Pathmark continue to avoid reality.” The Union has also set up a website which will notify the consumers with updates about the potential strike. The website is www.nysupermarkets.com.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 is based out of Queens Village and represents 23,000 grocery workers in the Metropolitan New York area

Butchers' Union to Honor Picket Lines If Grocery Workers Strike

News from UFCW Local 1500

Butchers' Union to Honor Picket Lines If Grocery Workers Strike

First Strike Authorization Meetings Set for Wednesday, June 23rd

QUEENS VILLAGE, NY (06/22/2010) -- United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers’ Union, has received the support of UFCW Local 342, who represents Butchers as well employees from the deli and seafood departments at Stop and Shop, Pathmark and King Kullen. In the event of a strike at these stores, the members of UFCW Local 342 will join UFCW Local 1500 members on the picket line.

"The leadership of UFCW Local 342, led by President Richard Abondola notified us last night that they will honor all UFCW Local 1500 picket lines set up at Pathmark, King Kullen and Stop and Shop," said Patrick Purcell, spokesperson for UFCW Local 1500. "This will effectively shut down these stores going into the 4th of July weekend. Any statement to the contrary from these supermarkets would an outright deception of their loyal customers."

UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce W. Both thanked UFCW Local 342 for their support. "As they have been for so many years, President Abondola and the members of UFCW Local 342 continue to be a true symbol of the word solidarity."

In other action, the Union will be conducting their first strike authorization meetings this Wednesday, June 23 at the following locations:

- International JFK Airport Hotel: 144-02 135th Ave. Jamaica, NY 11436

- Sheraton Long Island Hotel (Suffolk Smithtown Room & Vanderbilt Room): 110 Motor Parkway, Smithtown, NY 11788

- Holiday Inn Mount Kisco: One Holiday Inn Drive [Exit 37-Saw Mill Pkwy.] Mount Kisco, NY 10549

All meetings are scheduled to start at 7:00 PM and conclude by 8:00 PM

Any media outlet wishing to attend should contact UFCW Local 1500 @ 1-800-522-0456

Any strike action would affect over 150 supermarkets and 16,000 workers. The strike would affect supermarkets on Long Island, the Five Boroughs, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties with its effects being felt in New Jersey and Connecticut. The contract expiration date is Saturday June 26.

For consumers, the Union has sent up a web address that will lead them to public updates about the potential strike. The website is www.nysupermarkets.com.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 is based out of Queens Village and represents 23,000 grocery workers in the Metropolitan New York area

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UFCW Local 1500 Calls Federal Mediator into Contract Negotiations Urges Supermarkets Not to Mislead Public about Affects of Strike

News from UFCW Local 1500

Grocery Workers Union Calls Federal Mediator into Contract Negotiations

Urges Supermarkets Not to Mislead Public about Affects of Strike

QUEENS VILLAGE, NY (06/21/2010)-- United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW ) Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers’ Union, has called Federal Mediators into negotiations with the three major supermarkets in hopes of avoiding a crippling strike that would affect over 150 supermarkets and 16,000 workers. Companies involved in the negotiations are Stop and Shop Supermarket, King Kullen Markets and A&P/Pathmark. The strike would affect supermarkets on Long Island, the Five Boroughs, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties with its effect possibly being felt in New Jersey and Connecticut. The contract expiration date is Saturday June 26th. Any potential job action will affect the 4th of July weekend for hundreds of thousands of customers.

"We are doing everything we can to avoid a strike," said Patrick Purcell, spokesperson for UFCW Local 1500 "However, this is a fight between what our members need to survive versus the companies immoral greed. That is the fight: Need versus greed."

The Union also urged the supermarkets not to mislead the public regarding their ability to operate in the event of a strike, "It would be irresponsible to announce that everything will operate as usual in the event of a strike. To be less than honest to customers would be a real slap in the faces, this could affect sales long after any dispute is settled." said Purcell.

Purcell questioned the publics' willingness to shop in striking stores. "Does the public want their money exchanging hands with an inexperienced cashier?" Purcell asked. "Do they want to place their bakery orders with some store manager from New Jersey who is more accustomed to eating doughnuts than baking them? The public needs to consider shopping alternatives in the event of a strike. That is the bottom line." Purcell concluded.

"We do not want a strike" said UFCW Local 1500 Harry Hammin, a Pathmark worker and member of the Union negotiating committee. "However, the supermarkets seem to be doing everything they can to guarantee there will be a strike. If that's what they want, then that is what they will get."

For consumers, the Union has sent up a web address that will lead them to public updates about the potential strike. The website is www.nysupermarkets.com.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 is based out of Queens Village and represents 23,000 grocery workers in the Metropolitan New York area

Press Release: NY Largest Supermarket Union Seeks to Avoid Strike...

States Largest Grocery Workers Union Seeks to Avoid Strike with Supermarkets;
Union Contracts Representing 16,000 Metro NY Workers Set to Expire June 26th.

QUEENS VILLAGE, NY (06/01/2010)(readMedia)-- The President of the State's largest grocery workers Union is hoping to avoid all the anxiety that workers and consumers go through with strike votes and last minute agreements between Unions and management. He just hopes that the companies, Pathmark, Stop and Shop, King Kullen and Gristedes feel the same way.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 President Bruce W. Both is the lead negotiator for 16,000 unionized grocery workers whose contracts are set to expire at midnight, June 26th, 2010 However, starting June 9th, the Union will begin a series of meetings with their membership to update them on the current status of negotiations and announce dates for possible strike authorization meetings. The 16,000 Union members employed by these companies work throughout Long Island, the five boroughs, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 is based out of Queens Village, NY and represents 23,000 grocery workers in the Metropolitan New York area. Contracts with additional employers such as Key Foods and Shop Rite, covering an additional 5,000 workers, will expire in September, 2010.
President Both stated "We believe that a win-win situation is within the reach of the parties involved in these negotiations and that un-necessary posturing will only lead to worker and consumer anxiety."

"The members of UFCW Local 1500 have always been united behind their Union," Both added. "The employers understand the strong solidarity between the Union and its members. This solidarity has helped us to avoid a major strike in this industry for the past 30 years. We have consistently reached fair agreements," Both pointed out. "However with the difficult economic times people have had over the last two years, we feel it would benefit the entire region to reach an early agreement," Both concluded.

The key issues during these negotiations are healthcare benefits, pension fund financing, wage increases and the utilization of part time workers.


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