Monday Morning News...

Image by Jose P Isern Comas via Flickr

Chicagoans shopping at online grocer Peapod can buy their groceries for less than Ralphs customers can in Los Angles or D'Agostino customers in New York, according to a study released this week by research firm IBISWorld, based here.

Kroger has announced they have reached a tentative contract agreement with workers at 30 Dayton-area stores represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 75.

New Yorkers fight for paid sick days.

WakeUpWalmart and Wal-Mart Watch have merged.

JC Penny opened their 153,000 sqft store in Manhattan.

One day after it failed to achieve a two-thirds majority vote in the U.S. House, the Food Safety Enhancement Act was passed yesterday by a vote of 283-142.

The Village Voice looks at the changes coming to Bushwick as a new 10,000 sqft shopping center opens with an Organic grocery store anchoring the center.

And the Whole Foods Gowanus site has been tagged up.

Politics

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East endorsed Bill de Blasio for New York City Public Advocate, and John Liu for New York City Comptroller.

Rudy Giuliani contemplates running for Governor.“I hope there’s no hope for the health care plan this year,” Rudy Giuliani said on Sean Hannity’s show.

New York Times: Cuomo playing the game of wait and see.

And Eric Gioia looks at the wide range of costs of drugs throughout NYC.

Wal-Mart NYC rumors, Food Stamps in NYC, Employee Free Choice

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Wal-Mart NYC Rumors

The Gothamist

The Villager

Other Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart still exploring "food deserts".

Wal-Mart weekly: Employee Free Choice and what it means to the Wal-Mart stock.
From Wal-Mart Watch Daily News Clips:

• Prominent Economists Endorse Employee Free Choice Act [Talking Points Memo]
  The Employee Free Choice Act is not a panacea, but it would restore some balance to our labor markets. As economists, we believe this is a critically important step in rebuilding our economy and strengthening our democracy by enhancing the voice of working people in the workplace.
  

• Many, Many Economists: We Like What the Employee Free Choice Act Does [SEIU Blog]
  Today, in a full page ad in the Washington Post, thirty-eight prominent American economists released a statement, entitled "Passage of the Employee Free Choice Act is critical to rebuilding our economy and strengthening our democracy."

SEIU HEAD ANDY STERN: EFCA COMING SOON

• SEIU head Andy Stern predicts quick action on health care, card-check [USA Today]
  Stern also said there are 60 senators who either support the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) or would vote to cut off a filibuster. He said he expects action by August.
  

Fight against "card check" escalates [Kansas City Star (Mo.)]
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives today launched a pre-emptive strike against the most controversial labor-related bill expected in Congress this year.

Wal-Mart East Patchogue Fight.

NYC

A coalition of retailers and other businesses known as New Yorkers Against Unfair Taxes is planning a demonstration here today to object to a proposed “sin tax” on juice drinks and soda.
Read more of this story

NY Times Editorial: Food Stamps in hard times.

Brooklyn's Red Hook Ikea: Number 1 in the continent.


Politics

Poll: Only 19% of New Yorkers would vote for Gov. David Paterson to full term


Oddities
The National Peanut Board will turn New York City into Peanutopolis on March 4 and March 5 as it introduces its newest advertising campaign for America’s favorite legume, as well as a new slogan: "Peanuts: Energy for the Good Life."

Wal-Mart Shuts down another Unionized Store...

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's biggest retailer, said it closed a unionized Quebec tire and lubrication shop because of costs tied to the first labor agreement imposed at any of its North American locations. 

More from Wal-Mart Watch.

Citing "an unworkable union contract" that increased costs by more than 30%, Wal-Mart Canada on Thursday closed the Tire Lube Express automotive center at its discount store in Gatineau, Quebec.
Read more of this story [Super Market News]

Reuters

Nike is also suing Wal-Mart for patent infringement.

Politics

Obama & McCain took part in Charity Roast last night here in NY.  Here's the video.

NYSUT moves to back GOP slate

Concerned about possible job losses through state budget cuts, the powerful New York State United Teachers is taking a vote today about endorsing all 30 state Senate Republicans 

Bill Thompson, the city Comptroller said he's running for mayor - no matter what

Wal-Mart's Right Wing Agenda, Whole Foods cutting store expansion?, Thursday Morning One Liners...

Recently Wal-Mart Watch launched a site [click here] that tracked Wal-Mart's political past, mainly donating to the right wing....The site is now getting national attention.

Kroger has won the 2008 Supermarket News retail excellence award.

A&P’s sharply devalued stock rebounded somewhat Tuesday after the retailer here reported increased second-quarter sales and reduced losses despite encountering additional transition problems that sunk margins at its newly acquired Pathmark stores.
Read more of this story
 

Here's more on A&P stock from the AP

Fresh Direct announced that they have eliminated over 50% of the Styrofoam from their packaging and are working to remove the rest. In early 2009 their goal is to dramatically reduce the number of boxes containing just 1 or 2 items. This will result in 1,000,000 fewer boxes each year sent into their customers' homes and recycling bins.

Pepsico to cut 3,300 jobs.

One of AOL's top stories today featured a piece telling consumers not to purchase Milk at the Supermarket now, and to purchase 5 particular items at Drug Stores like CVS for a cheaper price..

The Fresh Market became one of more than 4,500 grocery stores and restaurants participating in The Humane Society's ProtectSeals campaign to help end Canada's commercial seal hunt. 

In response to a new study that says their private-label bottled water brands contain contaminants and are basically no different than tap water, Giant Food of Landover, Md., and Wal-Mart Stores, Bentonville, Ark., say their products are held to strict standards.
Read more of this story
 

More press on the Riverhead Wal-Mart being overturned. 

Kroger Co. here said sales trends have continued to improve in its fiscal third quarter.
Read more of this story
 

Blog refers to Whole Foods cutting store expansion (in Brooklyn) due to financial difficulties.

Political

NY1: Hillary Clinton Calls Push To Extend Term Limits "Disturbing"

Senator Hillary Clinton, in a Wednesday interview on NY1's "Inside City Hall," said that since city voters have shot down the proposal to extend term limits twice, their voices should also be taken into consideration.

NY Times (David Chen): Clinton Says Path on Term Limits Is 'Disturbing'

Bill Clinton will appear with Anthony Weiner.

Craig Johnson and Barbara Dunno are in the midst of a heated campaign as Newsday reports.

An attorney for the Nassau Democratic Party has asked Cablevision to pull Republican-sponsored campaign ads against state Sen. Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington).

The State Senate’s top Democrat is accusing Senate Republicans of offering to block any cuts to education in an upcoming emergency special budget session in return for campaign help from a powerful teachers union.

NY Times: Change to win touts it's Campaign Machine.

Anthony Weiner will not quit the Mayoral race.

The Suffolk Legislature yesterday rejected County Executive Steve Levy's proposal to fast-track legislation to hold public hearings and issue a request for proposals to sell the John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility.

And Representative Dennis Kucinich of Ohio continues his probe of the Yankee Stadium deal.