Friday Morning One Liners...Tesco loses over $200 million, UFCW Local 7 updates, Aldi still looking for land

“Since Harry Truman was president, Democrats have fought to make it more affordable to live a healthy life in America,” Mr. Reid said. “Every day, we come closer to achieving that goal.”

-Harry Reid, of Nevada, Democratic majority leader, in today's New York Times "Health Care Bill Gets Green Light in Cost Analysis"

An amendment that would allow for businesses to incentivize healthy lifestyles in the style of Safeway’s voluntary “Healthy Measures” program was approved by an 18-4 vote by the Senate Finance Committee as part of a health care reform bill.  A spokesman for Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), who co-sponsored the bill, referred to it as “the Safeway Amendment” according to published reports.

Wal-Mart de Mexico net profits up 18%.

A Bi-Low/Food Lion merger would test the FTC an analyst said yesterday, exceeding a 35% market share in 9 markets.

After their latest offer was rejected two days ago, Kroger and Safeway are considering new negotiations in Denver, UFCW Local 7 and the two companies have not met face to face since early September.

More and more reports of Fresh Direct trucks blocking bike lanes throughout NYC.

Newsday updates Nassau County's "Lighthouse Project"

Wegman's is offering a new 'full service restaurant' in a new 132,000 sqft., 24-hour Pennsylvania store.  The store has also opened a dispute regarding their sale of liquor and alcohol.

Tesco, the parent company of the West Coast's "Fresh & Easy" stores, continues to struggle and will lose about $239 million this year. 

President of Local 338, John Durso writes an Op-Ed in Long Island Business News on the need for a public option.

Aldi, who announced they were coming to Queens, is apparently still looking for land in Queens.

The Working Families Blog covers the Stella D'oro rally at City Hall.

The Daily News has more on the closing.

Dan Cantor, Director of the WFP is interviewed.

Blog: Sweatshop Conditions in U.S. cities.

A recent mailer by BJ's Wholesale Club had 'white powder all over it'. 

Ex-Homeless youth in NYC tell their stories on TV (WPIX CH.11) this weekend.

The Fresh Market, who plans to break ground next week upstate [Latham], now gets the shopping center named after them...


And Barack Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize.

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.

NYC has new Health Plan, Philly gets four new supermarkets, Obama speaks at AFL-CIO convention, Wednesday Morning Read

“When labor succeeds—that’s when our middle class succeeds. And when our middle class succeeds—that’s when the United States of America succeeds.”
-President Barack Obama speaking at the 2009 AFL-CIO annual convention.

ShopRite, voted one of the best supermarkets in the nation.

New York City sets a new ambitious health plan, targeting smoking, sugary soda's and sports drinks and promoting more exercise... Including a possible ban on smoking in public parks?

Tariffs on Tires: President Obama took decisive action on Monday to provide relief to the domestic consumer tire industry in response to surging exports of tires from China. His actions will bring relief to many workers and their families and reverse course after eight years of neglect of trade laws by the Bush administration.

Steven Greenhouse of the NY Times has more: Tire Tariffs are Cheered by Union.

King Soopers and Safeway workers could go on strike as early as Oct. 6 if the grocery chains do not increase pension and wage offers in contract negotiations that have dragged on for over five months, union officials said Tuesday.

Supermarket News reports that workers will begin voting on Saturday on their "Final Contract Offer"

Meanwhile, UFCW Local 99 [Arizona] will resume negotiations with Safeway, Fry's & Smith's this week. 

The state of Pennsylvania may be supporting the development of four new supermarkets in under-served areas in Philadelphia.

A bill introduced in California would stop the sales of alcohol in self checkout lanes.  The Ventura County Star has a more detailed story.




Politics/Primary

Here is a complete list of results from yesterday's Primary.


Public Advocate: Mark Green and Bill De Blasio will have a runoff vote on September 29th.

Council Member Kendall Stewart is upset by rising star, community activist Jumanne Williams.

Rick Lazio, the former Long Island congressman who ran against Hillary Rodham Clinton for the US Senate in 2000, will formally declare he's a candidate for governor -- potentially putting him on a primary collision course with Rudy Giuliani.

Friday Morning Read.

Our thoughts are with everyone who has been and is still affected from the events eight years ago today on September 11.  We will never forget those who gave their lives and those who are still suffering from the effects of the attack.
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"[My kids are] going to have to skip a few semesters. I've already sold my car and cleaned out my life savings during the strike. There is nothing left for them or myself and my wife…. we will just pray to God that we do not get sick."

- George Kahssay, 51, who worked for 22 years at the Bronx Stella D'oro cookie factory

Alem Fese, 58, a mixer at the plant for 27 years, said she has a $1,500-a-month mortgage and hasn't written a résumé in nearly three decades.

"Who's going to hire me?" she asked. "I don't know what I'm going to do. Really.

In Today's Daily News, after workers were told that the Stella D'oro cookie factory would be moving operations to Ohio.

Rev. Al Sharpton has endorsed Fernando Cabrera for the 14th NY City Council District.

A&P is offering online pharmacy services.

Wal-Mart is re-focusing on customer research.

The Denver Daily News covers UFCW Local 7's negotiations.  As does Supermarket News.

What's going on with the Lighthouse project in Nassau County?

Reminder tomorrow is the New York City Labor Day Parade!  All are welcome to come at 9 AM!

Local 789 Pickets Trader Joe's, Fresh Direct launches seafood evaluation, Downtown restaurant underpays employees, UFCW contract negotiation updates

Image via Wikipedia

1,500 rally in Arkansas for Employee Free Choice.

Fresh Direct is launching a seafood evaluation system.

State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says a popular Thai restaurant in Manhattan's financial district underpaid employees by hundreds of thousands of dollars, with some working up 72 hours a week for less than minimum wage.

Acme Markets and its 4,000-member union were back at the negotiating table Monday, three days after Acme backed down from terminating its current contract and implementing portions of its last offer.

A new round of negotiations begins today between Safeway and the UFCW Local 7, while talks with King Soopers and Albertsons remain at a standstill.

The National Retail Federation, the industry's largest trade group, is urging its members to publicly challenge Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s support for proposals to require companies to help pay for health insurance.

Supervalu gave “false and misleading” financial guidance that helped retailer raise $1 billion through the debt market before a downward revision sent its stock reeling, according to allegations in a lawsuit filed here Monday.

UFCW Local 789 is picketing outside a Trader Joe's in St.Paul Minnesota.

A federal judge has given final approval to a $17.5 million settlement of a discrimination lawsuit that accused Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of not hiring black truck drivers.

Development
King Kullen: Hampton Bays Moratorium extended another six-months.

The Hyde Park Stop & Shop hearing continues Wednesday.

Politics

In a meeting with President Obama today at the White House, top labor leaders pushed for a second stimulus package to create more jobs.

Monday Morning One Liners...

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Kristen Gillibrand was on Long Island this week with Tom Suozzi, she acknowledged King Kullen for buying local products.

UFCW Local 7 files a complaint against their grocery stores.

Progressive Grocer reports they may strike soon.

Politicians are urging Costco to accept food stamps.

NY Times (Nicholas Confessore): Paterson's Order Will Help Unions Trying to Organize

Gov. David A. Paterson has issued an order making it easier for labor unions to organize thousands of workers at some of New York's largest new hotel and convention center projects, including hotels in Niagara Falls and at the Belmont Park racetrack in Nassau County and the expansion of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. The directive, which was signed on April 24 and issued on Friday, will require the operators of projects that receive assistance like loans, tax breaks or property leases from state agencies or public authorities to obtain "labor peace" agreements with unions seeking to organize their workers. Under the agreements, workers would pledge not to strike, boycott or engage in other actions that would disrupt business or deprive the state of revenues.

C&S Wholesale Grocers was the winning bidder in last week’s auction of Bruno’s stores, agreeing to purchase all 56 locations from the retailer it supplies for $48.5 million.

Price Chopper, among a three grocers receiving technology awards this year.

Wal-Mart drops to number 2 on Forbes 500.

Laura Sen, the CEO of BJ's Wholesale Club gives her budget tips in a tough economy.

Politics

Bill Thompson accuses Mike Bloomberg of ducking debates.

GOP announces a candidate to take on Suozzi (Long Island)