Statement from New York's Largest Grocery Workers Union on Mayor de Blasio's Decision to Shut Down Carriages

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers union, released the following statement regarding Mayor de Blasio's decision to shut down the horse carriage industry, and pledged full support of the Teamsters:

"The 23,000 men and women of UFCW 1500 support the Teamsters, and the more than 300 hardworking men and women who rely on this historic industry to make ends meet," said Tony Speelman, Secretary-Treasurer of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500. "We cannot and will not sit idly by while the professional fates of these working men and women hang in the balance. We remain committed to standing with our brothers and sisters in the labor movement to protect the careers of these dedicated carriage drivers."

Top 12 Stories This Week: April 1

FEATURED

 

Big Box Retailers Make Billions off Food Stamps, Often Put Workers on them

The biggest winners of the SNAP economy are the ones the government won't tell you about. Read more >

WHAT'S NEWS THIS WEEK   2. 15% of Jobs Added in March were Temp Jobs Just look inside the numbers of how "well" American workers are doing.  In a somewhat related story, see how low of a wage you could "get by" with.

3. Emails link Senator to Coordinating with Anti-Union Group to Bust UAW's Volkswagen Vote Emails from a Senator's Chief of staff show a direct coordination between Politicians and an Anti-Union group hired to keep the UAW out of the Volkswagen plant.  UAW requested a delay after collusion was suspected, later in the week an anti-union group requested the hearing delay denied.

4. A&P to Host Private-Label Event Tomorrow, April 5th, A&P will host private label events at Pathmark and Waldbaum's stores.

5. Domino's Pizza Settles Wage Suit, Pays out $448K 23 Domino's Pizza franchises throughout New York settled wage violations spanning from 2007-2013, for paying workers under minimum wage.  It's about time.

6. UPS Fires 250 Teamsters After Protest After 250 Teamsters protested a coworkers firing, UPS handed out pink slips to all of them.  On Thursday, NYC Politicians rallied and threatened to pull the plug on UPS city contracts.

7. Target's Anti-Union Video, What They Say &  What They Really Mean AFL-CIO gives a translation of Target's latest installment of union-busting film.  This week Gawker discovered they even hired union actors to star in their new film.

8. UFCW President Hansen on "Save American Workers Act": "Deceptively Named" Read his full statement here.   9. Hungry For Savings It doesn't add up; Big retailers like Walmart are donating millions to food shelters that their employees rely on.

10. Walmart Heiress is Rumored Buyer of  Most Expensive Co-Op in NYC History

11. NYC's Grace's Marketplace is Relocating

12. Instacart expanded to LA

A service that hires "freelance" delivery persons to shop at your favorite supermarkets, and deliver them straight to your door, last week they expanded to NYC.

Support 250 Fired UPS Drivers

Tomorrow our Public Advocate Letitia James is holding a press conference to support and demand 250 UPS Drivers who are fired be re-instated.  If you're in the City Hall area, stop by and show your support to our Teamster brothers and sisters!

Public Advocate Letitia James and Teamsters Protest UPS Decision to Lay Off 250 New Yorkers

James Calls for City to Reconsider Parking Ticket Deal That Saves UPS Millions

(New York, NY)— Delivery giant United Parcel Service (UPS) is in the process of terminating 250 of their New York employees from their Maspeth, Queens facility.

UPS— who fired the employees after they walked off the job for 90 minutes in February to protest the dismissal of a long-time employee— currently benefit from a $43 million public contract in which the company provides delivery services to city and state agencies. The company also participates in a program in which it receives millions of dollars every year in reduced fine and fees for parking tickets.

Public Advocate Letitia James is demanding that UPS rehire these drivers, and that the City of New York reconsider these public deals with UPS until such a time that the company makes a good-faith effort to negotiate with employees.

 

WHAT:               Press conference calling on UPS to rehire 250 drivers

WHO:                 Public Advocate Letitia James, Teamsters Joint Council 16 President George Miranda, Teamsters Local 804 President Tim Sylvester, Dozens of Laid Off UPS Drivers

WHEN:               Thursday, April 3^rd 2014

                             10:00 AM  

 

WHERE:             City Hall steps

UFCW Joins AFL-CIO

AFL–CIO (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chicago, Illinois – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) affiliated with the AFL-CIO in a bold move toward a stronger, more unified labor movement. UFCW President Joe Hansen, supported by a vote of the UFCW Executive Board, decided to add the 1.3 million private sector members to the AFL-CIO federation in order to build a stronger, more unified voice for the rights of workers. UFCW International President Joe Hansen today released the following statement:

 “We join the AFL-CIO because it is the right thing to do for UFCW members, giving them more power and influence. This is not about which building in Washington D.C. we call home — it is about fostering more opportunities for workers to have a true voice on the job. It is about joining forces to build a more united labor movement that can fight back against the corporate and political onslaught facing our members each and every day.

 “Our affiliation with the Change to Win Federation (CTW) has been a rewarding one. The CTW’s Strategic Organizing Center (SOC) is leading some of the best campaigns to give workers rights and dignity. While no longer an affiliate of CTW, we continue our strong relationships with the Teamsters, SEIU and the Farmworkers. We will remain active in the SOC and bring our AFL-CIO partners into collaboration with private-sector unions in an effort to build more power for workers. “The need for unity became paramount after the 2010 elections. The attacks on workers brought the UFCW into direct strategic partnership with the AFL-CIO and the entire labor movement. Our shared campaign revealed a dynamic and revitalized AFL-CIO and made it clear that it was time for the UFCW to redouble our efforts to build a more robust and unified labor movement.

 “I respect Rich Trumka’s bold leadership of the AFL-CIO and his strategic advocacy on key issues like the urgent need to pass comprehensive immigration reform, fix the Affordable Care Act so workers in multiemployer plans can keep the health care they currently have, and ensure the National Labor Relations Board protects workers’ rights. The UFCW is proud to affiliate with a transparent, strategic and innovative AFL-CIO – an AFL-CIO committed to bringing a union voice on the job to millions of workers from coast to coast.”

Today’s announcement comes as the UFCW Executive Board meets in preparation for its 7th Regular Convention which calls to order Monday, August 12 in Chicago, Illinois. UFCW delegates representing local unions in the U.S. and Canada will chart a course for the next five years and beyond that aims to raise standards and build power for workers in the grocery, retail and food manufacturing industries.

 Inspired by the theme, “Blue. Gold. Bold. Powerful Together,” UFCW delegates will deliberate on taking steps to strengthen the UFCW’s strong base of member activists who are the backbone of creative organizing campaigns, engaged bargaining programs and political activism.

 ###

 Convention details can be found at www.ufcwconvention.org Media Guest Registration will take place in Room W474B on the 4th floor of McCormick Place West beginning Saturday, August 10. For admittance to the Convention Floor, please present a media credential or business card. - See more at: http://www.ufcw.org/2013/08/08/ufcw-joins-afl-cio/#sthash.G4ZasHNf.dpuf

World Doesn't End, So Here's the Top News from This Week

Must Read: Walmart's Bribery Aisle: New details have emerged from the New York Times on the extent of Walmart's briberies in Mexico.

More: Bill Buck Editorial, Looking Deeper into the Walmart Mexico Bribery.

Walmart CEO, Mike Duke, spoke in NYC about corporate responsibility, without raising wages.

Update on the OUR Walmart Movement: "We are Winning!"

Fresh Market announced plans to open a new store in Saratoga N.Y.  They also plan on opening their second New Jersey store in 2013.

#TwinkieProblems: Police called in over Twinkie sale incident.

The Teamsters are back on a strike at United Natural Foods warehouse after calling it off last week.

Related articles

• Extensive report details Walmart's political bribery in Mexico

Have a Union Made Thanksgiving!

Make this Thanksgiving Union Made!  Support these brands made by proud union members!  For more products check out Labor411, a great resource to find union made products near you, and AFL-CIO's Union Made Thanksgiving Page.

(list via Labor411)

Turkey—Whole and Deli Style

Boar’s Head

Butterball

Eckrich Deli

Foster Farms

House of Raeford Farms

Klement’s

Saag’s

Sahlen’s

Thumann’s

Potatoes

Ore Ida

Betty Crocker

McCain

Stuffing

Manischewitz

Stroehmann Bakery Products

Kraft

Cranberries / Cranberry Sauce

Ocean Spray

Vegetables

Andy Boy

Eurofresh

Birds Eye

Mann’s

Sunripe Produce

Thanks to all of you, thousands of New Yorkers will enjoy a wonderful Happy Thanksgiving.  Thank you for your hard work the past few weeks helping New Yorkers recover from Super Storm Sandy, and now, enjoy a special holiday with family and loved ones!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Weeks End One Liners: BJ's Wholesale Club to Raise Membership Fees

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

BJ's Wholesale Club announced they will raise membership fees.  They recently reported sales gains of 4.8%

Sheepshead Bites wonders if Walmart should come to the five boroughs.

Working in These Times also blogs about the potential Walmart in NYC.


Mike DeBonis of the Washington Post explains, it looks like Walmart is finally going to open in Washington D.C. with their 'urban' format stores.

Wall Street Journal and Washington Post report that Walmart plans on opening four stores in the DC area.

A tentative agreement has been reached between Albertson's and the UFCW in New Mexico.

The Teamsters said they'll honor grocery picket lines if UFCW Local 21 strikes.


Bottom Dollar Food Store is taking a vacant former Pathmark site in Trenton. NJ.com says Bottom Dollar is looking to expanding across the state.


Ahold doesn't meet sales expectations, says sales in U.S. are strong.

Baseball's, Levi's, Converse & Dell Computers, see what else made the list at Yahoo! Finance: 18 Iconic Products that America Doesn't Make Anymore.

Tomato Workers Sign Historical Agreement in Florida:

After more than 15 years of struggle, justice may be just around the corner in the Florida tomato fields. In what workers call a “watershed moment,” the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange (FTGE) yesterday signed an agreement that will extend the CIW’s Fair Food principles to more than 90 percent of the Florida tomato industry.

Migrant workers in Canada bargain historic contract:

A group of seasonal workers in Abbotsford have won what their union says is a precedent-setting contract that includes higher wages and benefits like overtime pay and statutory holidays.

NYC & Greater Area

Bloomberg "trims" thousands of jobs to cut budget.

New Jersey, due to an unclaimed property law that was recently passed, unused gift card balances were being sent to the State after two years of inactivity.  This would of course help the budget deficit that the State faces.  The Jersey Food Council won an injunction to put an end to the State collecting the revenue.

Thursday Morning One Liners

Unions in South Africa, are just as weary of Wal-Mart as we are in America.

More unusual trading for GAP (A&P).

A union representing warehouse workers and drivers demonstrated outside the headquarters of the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. in Montvale Wednesday over a decision by C&S Wholesale Grocers to supply the grocer from out of state.

The move, which is expected in February, will affect about 1,500 jobs, including about 300 drivers and 900 warehouse workers represented by the Teamsters, said Al Rispoli, secretary/treasurer of Local 863 in Mountainside.
"A&P can matter by saying to C&S "Work it out with the union and keep the jobs here'," Rispoli said.

Communities surrounding Stamford are very excited about the new Fairway Market opening this November.

The Stamford Times is also very eager to check out the new Fairway.

"I look at this as a second chance to start from the bottom and grow with the company," said the 51-year-old former furniture mover and lifelong Stamford resident.

Joseph Grosso: Wal-Mart & New York City

New Yorkers, in other words, could use lower costs where they can be found. However what New York doesn’t need is yet more low-paying, high turnover jobs, particularly ones that can negatively impact better paying jobs and further the income polarization in a city already lacking a solid middle class. This is where Wal-Mart takes a lot more than it gives proving that the cost for lowest prices is too great.

So while Wal-Mart continues to try to get into NYC, they're also making a bigger pitch for even more stores in India. Part of the pitch is promising to buy from more local Indian farmers.



They're also being sued for alleged water pollution in Buffalo: A federal lawsuit has been filed against Walmart, the City of North Tonawanda and the state Department of Transportation alleging water pollution violations during initial site preparation for a planned Supercenter.

And an employee from New Dorp ShopRite competes for the title of best bagger. 

Another Brooklyn BJ's? Aldi denied a store for not fixing a street, Fresh Market will open upstate, Tuesday Morning Read...

Image via Wikipedia

"I asked the boss for permission to go to the hospital. She said, 'It's fine, go - but you don't have a job anymore.'"

-Adela Valdez, mother of 4, fired for catching a cold, in Sunday's New York Times.
 
Change to Win's campaign on CVS advances in South New Jersey.

The Fresh Market, an eagerly expanding gourmet grocery store, has been salivating at the thought of opening more stores in the North East. They'll break ground on their first New York store upstate, in Latham on October 13.  They'll be opening a store in Connecticut next week.

Aldi was refused permission to open a UK store for "failed negotiations to agree how much money Aldi should pay towards local roads improvement." Thankfully there are no damaged roads in Queens, so we won't encounter this problem when they open their first NY store next year.

UFCW Local 7 update: Strike may not change shopping habits. [Denver Post]
Grocery Workers wrapping up contract vote in Colorado. [AP]


Development Update: Joe Sitt of Thor Equities pitches a new BJ's site for Brooklyn.

SN has named Stop & Shop and Giant of Landover the winners of the 2009 Retail Excellence Award, sponsored by Kraft Foods. The two Ahold-owned chains have reasserted their dominance as value leaders in their markets, and remain standouts in such areas as marketing, technology and health and wellness.

Meanwhile, Stop & Shop unvieled a new custom publication called "Small Victories" geared towards Mom's.

D'Agostino's will launch a radio campaign, it's first campaign on the radio in 10-years.

The Teamsters endorsed Mike Bloomberg for Mayor.

The Hotel Trades Council has reached a deal with Steve Wynn, one less roadblock he'll face on his attempt to open an enormous "Racino" at the Aqueduct.

Whole Foods case thrown out, NYC Horse Carriage drivers have joined the Teamsters, Wal-Mart now owns Chilean supermarket industry, Monday Morning...

Image via Wikipedia
The Fresh Market is laying off some workers.

A 20 year family run bodega in the Bronx is closing.

An 11-member union at an ExxonMobil gas station in Montville signed a one-year contract Friday with the company as the state-owned property is being marketed for sale.

Whole Foods' lawsuit against the FTC was thrown out of court on Friday.

Wal-Mart now owns over 58% of the Chilean supermarket industry.

NYC horse carriage drives have joined the Teamsters.

Jesse Olson, a former union vice president who played a major role in building and expanding the nation’s largest health care workers’ local, 1199 S.E.I.U. United Healthcare Workers East in New York City, died on Monday in Monroe Township, N.J. He was 84.

Politics
Stuart Applebaum released a statement regarding the Gillibrand appointment.

Gillibrand also pledged to find a common ground on gun issues.

Her goal is to "fill Hillary Clinton's shoes."

Peter King wants Patterson to justify his selection,

A Daily News probe has discovered that King funneled money for man hole covers that Con-Ed didn't want.

Governor Patterson's political career is on life support.

$3.4 Billion to NYC?

Related articles by Zemanta

• NY Senate Pick Offers to Find 'Common Ground'
• The Key to the New York Senate Pick: Schumer?

Trader Joe's set to open Brooklyn store, Wednesday Morning One Liners...

Trader Joe's will open it's first Brooklyn store next week.

The store will reflect and incorporate "Brooklyn's rich history"

More here at the Daily News.

A Suffolk proposal to ban plastic shopping bags came under fire yesterday from the grocery and plastics industries, who said the county should instead give plastic recycling laws that take effect Jan. 1 time to work.   John Woods was quoted in the article.

The Teamsters union is poised to ratify a new contract with the city, having reached a tentative agreement yesterday.

The Brooklyn Paper covers the new "upscale" Gristedes in Brooklyn.

Wal-Mart was forced to close a store in Cleveland which was built on a landfill.

Fresh & Easy workers are pushing for union talks.

A&P Assures Shareholders Lehman Brothers Bankruptcy Won't Hurt 

Politics Politics

Lynn Forester de Rothschild, a prominent Hillary Clinton supporter and member of the Democratic National Committee’s Platform Committee, will endorse John McCain for president on Wednesday, her spokesman tells CNN.

Katie Couric will get a one on one with Palin.

A Republican group is taking responsibility for a poll that has roiled the Jewish community by asking sharply negative questions about Senator Barack Obama.