Week's Top News: We Can't Survive on $7.25

On Twitter: Walmart works with #unions abroad, but not at home in U.S.ow.ly/fUtTs #wmtfail #labor #1u via @washingtonpost@ArchiveDigger

Last night hundreds of workers swarmed NYC's Time Square demanding justice, better working conditions and fair wages.  Workers are fed up!  We can't survive on $7.25!

The demonstration came on the heels of last week'sFast-Food Forward protest -- where employees at different fast-food establishments across the city walked off of the job in order to demand higher wages, benefits and the right to unionize.
Fast-food strikers joined forces yesterday with other fed-up workers -- in health-care, construction, security, service industries and other marginalized sectors -- in order to let the rest of the city know that their plight will no longer be ignored.

Michigan's GOP quickly approved Right-To-Work legislation, just hours before it was introduced, spurring protests across the state.  Read more and find out what you can do to help here.

President Obama has spoken out against "Right to Work" legislation in Michigan:

"President Obama has long opposed so-called ‘right to work’ laws and he continues to oppose them now," said White House spokesperson Matt Lehrich. "The President believes our economy is stronger when workers get good wages and good benefits, and he opposes attempts to roll back their rights. Michigan – and its workers' role in the revival of the US automobile industry – is a prime example of how unions have helped build a strong middle class and a strong American economy."

We rarely get to say this, Yahoo! Finance has an awesome spot, "Why We Need Unions After All..."  Watch the short video or read the article, Yahoo!'s economists say, "The pendulum has swung too far..."

The discount private label retailer, Aldi, is rolling out a Premium Brand in the U.S..

Albertsons and Save-A-Lot are rumored to be up for sale.

Previously Cerberus, which owns the Albertsons LLC stores — now transitioning to Albertsons Market — was reported to have been in talks to acquire all of Supervalu, but was unable to secure financing. 

The Brit Corporation, Tesco, said they're reviewing their controversial chain, Fresh and Easy.  Speculation has risen that the chain will shut down its' 13 Bay Area stores.  Check out the inside scoop at Fresh & Easy Buzz.

Food Lion announced they have a new President.

#ShockerAlert: Walmart was added to yet another lawsuit surrounding wage and hour violations.

Washington Post has a great article: Walmart works with unions abroad, but not at home...

Its employees are not unionized in the United States, where the retailer has become infamous for its staunch opposition to labor groups. Even in Canada, it closed a store after workers there organized. But in the United Kingdom, Wal-Mart touts a growing roster of union employees and has negotiated contracts with entrenched labor groups in Brazil and Argentina for decades. 

“We recognize those rights,” said John Peter “J.P.” Suarez , senior vice president of international business development at Wal-Mart. “In that market, that’s what the associates want, and that’s the prevailing practice.”

Documents now show Walmart said 'No' to paying for fire safety at a factory in Bangladesh, where a fire broke out last month, and over 100 workers were killed.   More at the New York Times.

CNN looks behind the Walmart walkouts and Fast Food strikes, asking, "What gives? Workers are fed up!"  


Supermarket News looks at what could be the 2013 Food Trends.

Are you a UFCW / RWDSU member affected by Hurricane Sandy? Apply for assistance from your union now by clicking here.
 
And finally check out the Nation of Change's coverage of Walmart protests and walkouts.

Friday News Bites: Social Media Ruling by NLRB

“You don’t roll out the welcome mat for a company that kills more jobs than it creates,” he said. “Our first rule has to be do no harm, and that means safeguarding the jobs and small businesses that Walmart puts at risk.” - Bill de Blasio

The National Labor Relations Board has made their first firm ruling in an employer's Social Media Policy case, UFCW 371 vs. Costco.  The board found Costco's policy was overbroad, illegal.

Walmart to open first India store in 18 months.

Washington Post: How does Walmart work for America? Low prices at an enormous high cost, that will be around forever.

Unorganized Walmart Warehouse workers were forced to strike due to working conditions within the warehouse.Workers marched for 6-days to create awareness of their horrendous working conditions, the march ended a few days ago at LA City Hall.  Read the release here.

A cancer patient was fired by Walmart for using prescribed, medical marijuana.

Must Read: In These Times: Walmart Holds Secretive "Workerwashing" Meeting in DC w/ Labor Advocates.

Boykewich believes that the purpose of the DC event was to create the appearance of ethics without having to deal directly with supply-chain workers. “With this kind of event, [Wal-Mart executives] are trying to create this kind of halo of seriousness about ethical sourcing. They have done this again and again: They did this during the bribery scandal, they did this in the case of CJ's, and they are doing it with the striking [warehouse] workers now. There is nothing scarier to Wal-Mart than the prospect of actually having to negotiate directly with workers up and down the supply chain."

The Economist has a great read on taking unions, workers, for granted: Unions and the election: With friends like these...Republicans are getting tougher on unions. But so, too, are Democrats.

The Fresh Market is going to Southampton, while law makers mull their town's supermarket laws.

Stamps just aren't Fresh- Fresh Market won't be accepting Food Stamps.

Walmart won't be calling Brooklyn, home.

“This is a huge victory for the people—stopping a giant from coming in to exploit our workers and devastate our economy,” read the statement. “Going forward, East New York will now be respected and will get a retailer that respects its workers and our community’s economy. Stopping Walmart is not a loss of jobs. Instead, this shows that stopping Walmart can create a net gain of good jobs for workers.”

What are UFCW members doing to help working families win this election in November? Find out at UFCW's Blog.

Press Release: A Call For Additional Hearings on Wal-Mart

Grocery Workers Union Calls for Additional Wal-Mart Hearings
Urges New York City Council to Continue Oversight Of "Corrupt and Predatory" Practices

In light of a New York Times special report documenting corruption at the highest levels at Walmart (Vast Mexico Bribery Case Hushed Up by Wal-Mart After Top-Level Struggle, 4/21/2012), New York State's largest Union representing grocery workers called for additional New York City Council hearings into mega-retailer, Wal-Mart's, "corrupt and predatory" business practices and the impact of those policies on New York City's small business community, working families and community organizations.  The New York City Council had previously held hearings on Wal-Mart in the winter of 2011.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 1500, representing 23,000 members in the metro New York area, suggested that the continued oversight of Wal-Mart's business practices is necessary so New York City residents, real estate developers and landlords, members of the business community, non-profit organizations and other entities to not only have full disclosure and better understanding of Wal-Mart's corrupt, predatory practices, but examine to what extent they want to partner with, work with and be associated with Wal-Mart in the future.

"The Saturday New York Times article documenting the culture of bribery and corruption created, fostered and then ignored by Wal-Mart, despite warnings they may be in violation of  U.S. and Mexican law, proves that when the spotlight of accountability is not on Wal-Mart, they operate in a dark, corrupt and viciously predatory manner,” said Patrick Purcell Jr. spokesperson for UFCW Local 1500.

"Our Union has been the leading organization urging that New York City, the greatest city in the world, not allow itself to be another victim on the endless list of workers, businesses, community groups and so many others across the globe that have been destroyed and victimized by the mega-retailer," Purcell continued.

"Anyone surprised by Saturday's Times article outlining yet another chapter in Wal-Mart's long history of outrageous and offensive business practices all in the name of growth and profit has either not been paying attention to the facts or has been in a deep state of denial," Purcell continued.

"If the child labor issues, gender discrimination accusations and billions of dollars wage and hour violations had not previously been convincing enough, the New York Times article should persuade even the most biased and ardent Wal-Mart supporters to abandon their position.  I cannot imagine anyone who would want to stand next to Wal-Mart at any event, public or private," Purcell concluded.

The New York Times reported this weekend that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. investigators probing its Mexican operations found a paper trail of hundreds of suspect payments worth more than $24 million made to grow its business in Mexico.  The Times said that in September 2005, a senior Wal-Mart lawyer received an e-mail from Sergio Cicero Zapata, a former executive at the company's largest foreign unit, Wal-Mart de Mexico, describing how the subsidiary had paid bribes to obtain permits to build stores in the country.  However, Wal-Mart, having dispatched officials to investigate the allegations subsequently quashed the investigation.  Wal-Mart never notified either U.S. or Mexican law enforcement officials of the suspected violations of law.


United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 is New York's largest Grocery Workers Union, representing 23,000 workers throughout New York City and the Greater New York City region.

Press contact: Pat Purcell, joinus1500@aol.com

###

Monday's News Afternoon:

Asbury Park Press: Workers approve contract to keep A&P afloat.  More @ NJ.com

UFCW International released a statement from President Joe Hansen on NLRB Election Rule.

Republicans are panicking about the NLRB rule change.

Stop and Shop is set to buy 3 King Kullen stores.

Buying holiday gifts made in America can help create jobs!

Huffington Post looks at Walmart's latest Chicago express store.  The store is 14,800 square feet and is expected to employ 45 people.

TheStreet.com says this is Walmart of the future.

The UFCW is Battling Target in Canada:

Target purchased many unionized stores for their Canadian expansion, the UFCW Canada is asking their labor board to declare Target as a successor employer, which would require Target to recognize the union as representing employees at that location after it becomes a Target store!  Target is claiming their acquisition of the stores was strictly for real estate.

More @MinneapolisBusinessJournal: Target faces union push in Canada.

UFCW President Joe Hansen: Stand With Workers This Thanksgiving

UFCW International President Joe Hansen has written an excellent editorial on respecting retail workers featured in the Huffington Post.

Stand With Workers This Thanksgiving
By Joe Hansen 
International President, United Food and Commercial Workers

When one retail worker speaks out and takes public action against unfair scheduling practices, it's a media story. When his coworkers stand with him and speak with one voice, they've got a union, and that's the best way to make real change.

Anthony Hardwick, a retail worker at a North Omaha Target store, has drawn headlines by petitioning his employer to return to traditional opening hours on Black Friday instead of pushing up the opening to Thanksgiving Day. Across the country, thousands of retail workers at stores like Target and Walmart are facing a Black Friday work schedule that leaves them with no time to sit down for Thanksgiving dinner with their families.

Scheduling issues are consistently a top concern for retail workers. Many workers want more hours and a consistent, full-time schedule they can count on to support their families. But there's a double-edged sword for workers who put in long hours and forego family time over the holiday weekend: instead of seeing a reward for their hard work and loyalty in their paychecks, many will see their hours cut back in the days following the holiday so retailers can avoid paying overtime.

Even though their on-the-job conditions are often overlooked, retail workers are the backbone of our service economy. Millions of Americans work these jobs, and retail is one of the only sectors of our economy that is growing. Retail jobs are going to define how it is to live and work in America the way that manufacturing jobs once did. It is vital that retail jobs are secure, full-time jobs that pay the bills and allow people to live a middle class life.

That's why it matters for all of us when Anthony Hardwick has no voice to make holiday scheduling work for his family or demand fair compensation for working on a holiday. Americans know the way Anthony and his co-workers are being treated is unfair and wrong; over 175,000 people have signed a petition in support of Anthony. But for real change, Anthony's concerns over scheduling and holiday pay need to be heard by his managers. The best way that retail workers can have a say over holiday scheduling is by sticking together in a union and negotiating for those changes directly from their employer.

The UFCW and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Council of the UFCW represent workers at grocery stores, but also at stores like Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Modell's and H&M. Union retail workers earn premium pay for work on holidays. Their union contract guides fair scheduling. In these stores, many workers choose to take holiday shifts that might pay time-and-a-half or double-time union wages; as opposed to workers at stores like Target or Walmart who often work holiday shifts out of fear of losing their jobs and may not earn premium pay for these grueling shifts.

We all make compromises with our time over the busy holiday season. Sometimes it is traveling to see the in-laws. Other times it is working long hours over Thanksgiving weekend so that we can provide a magical Christmas morning for our children. When retail workers are given a voice in holiday scheduling, they can respect the needs of their families; whether that need is a loved one's presence at home or the need to earn additional income over the holidays.

Respect for the retail workers who are the heart of events like Black Friday means fair compensation for holiday hours and a voice in scheduling. When we support workers coming together to make positive changes in the workplace, we all win.

Click here to sign the petition to stand with Walmart employees and other retail workers who are sticking together to have a say over their schedules during the holidays.


###

Week's End News Briefs:

It's Hispanic Heritage month at the UFCW!

Why is Target's glamor continuing to fade? Business Week highlights the reasons, one of them being their dreadful labor practices...Or a former Target executive sums up the retailer’s existential moment this way:

“Target has been able to hide behind Wal-Mart’s size, and I don’t think it can do that anymore.”

A supermarket in Brooklyn faces over $62,000 in fines for locking night-shift workers inside the store.

The New York City Council approved a new Brooklyn shopping center to be anchored with a BJ's Wholesale Club.

The CEO of BJ's affirms that the sale of the company was the right decision.

Report: Walmart needs 159 stores in NYC to satisfy their Bloodlust...The Report shows the city would be devastating: a net loss of 3,980 jobs, $353 in lost wages, 105 businesses lost in East New York alone, and 4,279 new happy Wal-Mart employees who'd have to rely on government-funded health care. [download the pdf]

NY1 Exclusive: Walmart needs 159 NYC Stores.


City Hall News: A Walmart Invasion Predicted...


Gawker: Horrifying Study: 159 NYC Walmart Stores.

Meanwhile in Chicago, Walmart is opening their 3rd store in the last few years...

Here's a list of top U.S. Urban Food Deserts, NYC comes in at #8.

Census shows that 1 in 5 New Yorkers lives in poverty.

 Tentative pact reached in So.Cal UFCW Labor negotiations.

Updated News Briefs: NLRB Alleges Labor Violations at Target Valley Stream

The NLRB is alive if you were wondering, and has asserted via Crain's NY that Target used illegal tactics, such as threatening to "close the store if the union were to get in" during the weeks leading to June 17th election... "Target has violated labor laws & used illegal tactics in weeks leading up to the June 17th union election." 

A rival retailer was interested in purchasing BJ's Wholesale Club earlier this year.

The NLRB has filed a complaint against Target for violating federal laws weeks leading up to the union election in June.


A Stop & Shop will open in East Brunswick, replacing an A&P which closed in October 2010.

A&P opened a new Superfresh in Philly last week. The store was originally slated to be a Pathmark.

While UFCW members authorize a strike in Southern California, Sign on San Diego wonders if the grocers could survive a strike.

Wal-Mart purchases some goodwill...Some call it buying their way into the city, some call it charity, you decide.

UFCW and Kroger reach 4 week contract extension in W.V..

The Queens Chronicle writes "Pathmark workers on edge." 

DNA.info interviews two Local 1500 Members, Keith Jefferson & Flame Washington on working at Pathmark during Bankruptcy.

The Brooklyn Eagle interviewed Local 1500 Shop Steward, Sofi Rosenblum, to discuss the A&P bankruptcy.

A UFCW Local 342 Member was interviewed in the Staten Island Advance on Pathmark's Bankruptcy.

Editorial: How A&P Changed the Grocery World.

A&P announced they'll be selling local NYC pizza.

No surprise here, Unions back the NLRB proposed rule changes.

Crain's: Retail NYC workers fighting for a 40-hour work week.

Monday Mornin' News Briefs: 8/12-8/15

Steven Greenhouse from the NYTimes: In Strike Verizon, Union trade Barbs.
45,000 workers began their strike against Verizon Communications last Sunday, their unions have repeatedly stressed one point: Verizon’s push for concessions would “destroy middle-class jobs” and “push workers out of the middle class.”

From union-busting at home to labor violations, and alleged sweatshop conditions overseas, Target's honeymoon is over, via Working in These Times.

Islip Patch checks out Aldi in Bayshore, their first Long Island shop.

The Street is wondering what Walmart stands for nowadays, as they are no longer the 'everyday low price'.  What they stand for? Here's a starting point for the people @The Street, low wages, discrimination, destroying small businesses and communities. 

Walmart even made a bid to purchase BJ's Wholesale Club earlier this summer.

In Bristol, CT, Walmart is hunting for more of the grocery business.

Here's Walmart's new "Healthy, Environmental, Sustainable" pitch to New Yorkers, in their mailer to the Park Slope area.

SN: Pressures Face Walmart in NYC.


Walmart continues to buy its way into Brooklyn.
 
Editorial: Walmart's arrival would benefit them, not us...[Amsterdam News]

UFCW Local 23 Kroger workers rejected an offer from the company on Friday.

Bloomberg News: Seven UFCW chapters to vote on strike.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union in Levittown King Kullen was robbed last week.

The Fresh Market continues to expand, opening 2 new stores in the Pittsburgh area.

The closed Stella D'oro factory in the Bronx will become a BJ's Wholesale Club in 2013.

A Penny per a pound, AlterNet asks why won't the "progressive" Trader Joe's sign the agreement not to sell slave tomatoes? [WSJ]

#politics, #elsewhere
On Recall Elections, NYTimes: Wisconsin's Warning to Union-Busters.

Check out how your elected officials voted this year with AFL-CIO's scorecard. 

As economy dips, picket lines on the rise.

Be cautious of what you post on Facebook...

In a recent ground-breaking case, an employee of the American Medical Response of Connecticut was fired for criticism of her supervisor on her Facebook page. The medical technician was accused of violating a policy that bars employees from depicting the company “in any way” on Facebook or other social media sites, among other things.

Fired up, ready to fight: 2011 Jobs with Justice national convention highlights.

Thursday News Recaps @ Noon: Tengelmann A&P Exit Expected, New Fairway Markets

#A&P
Eight (8) former Superfresh stores (parent, A&P) were taken over by Fresh & Green's, some stores have already opened, while a few are still under renovations.

REPORT: Tengelmann Group to exit A&P in bankruptcy process...

A&P launched a new brand of organic local chickens....More @PhillyBlurbs.

#TargetChange
Target will offer groceries and fresh food in Canada. More @CTV.  The Wall Street Journal predicts their Canadian entry will affect other American retailers there.

Long Island Herald: Labor Board Reviews Target Valley Stream Union Vote.

Target told Valley Stream employees they couldn't afford to give raises to them...But they did find a way to spend $760,000 on lobbying in 1Q.

#WalmartNYC
Walmart cozies up to Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

The Brooklyn Rail: No Place for Walmart.

Walmart in New York City is far from inevitable. As one market analyst put it, Walmart needs New York City more than New York City needs Walmart, thus echoing the views of other company watchers. The company has grown desperate, but its urban growth strategy in still largely untested and unproven. So opponents feel that they can escalate their campaign and make it much harder for Walmart to come in.

Great Read: Bloomberg News: With Walmart's Sex Suit Win, The Jokes on Women.


#Elsewhere/Industry

Albertsons announced last week they'll be removing their self checkouts in order to focus on more customer service.

Fairway Market is making lease deals to open a store in Passaic County in New Jersey and another in South Shore in Nassau County next year. The grocery chain will also open a store in Rockland County in 2013.  Read more @ Wall Street Journal.

In Amityville, NY, a new Stop & Shop is currently being built, though the sign color scheme was not allowed according to a town law, the town's planning board has just OK'd the new color scheme. [Newsday]

Stop & Shop also debuted 'Scan IT! Mobile', allowing shoppers to complete their entire purchase on their iphone.

In the wake of two closing supermarkets in Greenburgh, NY, two more will open this year. [lohud]

Aldi wants to open up in Buffalo (NY), but some law makers are skeptical on it drawing business away from small, local shops.


Ahold has named a new pharmacy SVP.

Thousands of SoCal Union members are supporting grocery workers fighting for a new contract.

Here's an update on California UFCW negotiations....[KDAF] [LA Times]

An HBO Documentary of the Stella D'Oro strike is being released, telling the workers story. 

Via UFCW: MoveOn.org is launching a new effort--and they need our help. The goal is to help create a "Contract for the American Dream"—a people-powered plan for creating an economy that works for ALL of us. UFCW members and allies can play a key role in this effort: helping to choose the best ideas for fixing our economy.

Quick Friday Afternoon News Recaps

We've been tied up with the TargetChange campaign....But here's some ongoings in the NY Grocery Industry News:


AlterNet: "Anti-Union Life @Target." AlterNet looks deeper at what it's like to work at Target & other big box retail stores....
More BJ's Wholesale Club buyout rumors have surfaced, raising their stock prices.

Walmart gets a free pass from the Supreme Court over discrimination.

The Hunts Point Market is still opposed to Walmart opening in NYC.

Christine Quinn wants Walmart to buy local produce IF the chain opens in NYC.

They [Walmart] continue to donate and donate $$ into Washington DC and NYC, drawing criticisms of trying to "buy" their way into the city.

On July 20 a Pathmark in Cherry Hill, New Jersey will be up for auction.

Mrs.Green's officially confirms the purchase of A&P's Superfresh stores. More @ Gourmet.

Afternoon News Recaps: 6/8/11

UFCW Contract Update: Southern California grocery struggle to preserve medical benefits.
 ....Authorizing strikes at major supermarket chains in San Diego.

UFCW urges shoppers to respect picket line in Southern California.

Congressional Republicans threatening to cut National Labor Relations Board.

Chronic unemployment worse than Great Depression.

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. has hammered out a new money-saving agreement with its wholsale supplier.

A&P makes deal with major supplier to cut costs.

Protests in 10 cities to support FLOC.

Wal-Mart works with unions abroad, not at home.

Valley Stream Target vote being watched closely by other big-box retailers.

Sparks start to fly in Target fight 


Local 324 members of Southern California struggle to preserve medical benefits in new collective bargaining agreement.

Chronic unemployment worse than Great Depression.

Local 135 of San Diego can effectively srtike major supermarket chains.

The British Embassay in Washington, D.C., and consulates in nine U.S. cities were picketed by Union activists.

Wal-Mart works with unions abroad, but not at home.

Week's End One Liners: Changing Target...

Just a few news stories focusing on the campaign to Change Target....

 #targetchange
We've filed charges against Target for allegedly creating an 'unfair and intimidating' atmosphere for workers at Target who are voting for UFCW representation on June 17. [Crain's]

News outlets across North America are now questioning if Target is no better than Walmart.

In Canada, where Target just unveiled their new stores, the Montreal Gazette has a close eye on what's going on in Valley Stream.

The New York Times' Steven Greenhouse writes about the workers at Valley Stream Target and their campaign to change the culture at Target.

After the NYT story, Gawker posted a commentary, which resulted in current and former Target workers sending in their experiences from working at Target, the result? They say they NEED to Unionize.

We created a digital advertisement that was to run in New York City, highlighting Target's working conditions and overall culture...CBS decided to balk at the ad after accepting it and reaching out to us initially.

the American Dream Movement: Struggle to Unionize Intensifies for Target Workers at Valley Stream....

#Pathmark/A&P
Last month, Local 1500 went to Washington to ask for help in the Pathmark crisis.

A&P announced the completion of auctioning off of 25 Superfresh stores.

Mrs.Green's is taking over SuperFresh in New Brunswick.

NY Industry News Briefs: 5/7-5/10

Image via Wikipedia

Stop & Shop's personnel is moving back to their new million dollar offices in Mass.

The Patriot News wonders if Rite-Aid can recover.

A recently closed Pathmark will remain a supermarket.

UFCW Local 1189 has held up a scheduled May 15th vote on a new grocery industry contract while the international union reviews the proposal.

A 70,000 sqft ShopRite is proposed in New Millford, NJ.

Whole Foods sets a new goal: 1,000 stores.  Currently they operate 304.

The Supreme Court in Canada, upholds the ban on Ontario Farm Unions.

South Africa, Walmart's next ambition, is arguing that Walmart's entry into the country must be met with strong conditions or rejected.

 Forbes Blog: Why Walmart is Bad for Africa. Wal-Mart’s global sourcing model will definitely force African suppliers to match the prices of companies from countries like China which thrive on cheap, low standard labor. The domino effect of this is far reaching.

A new report surfaced concluding that a Walmart in South Africa will cost and cut 4,000 SA jobs.

A former Walmart boss was grilled in a South African Tribunal about Walmart's stance on labor and unions.

Check out recent bargaining news @AFL-CIO's blog.

Friday's News Briefs: Job Reports & Layoffs

 The hearing on the expansion of a NJ Walmart will be June 2nd.

Local 1500 represented King Kullen in St.James is seeking expansion.

U.S. Economy Added 244,000 Jobs in April; Unemployment Rate Rises to 9.0%...Check out 5 questions about these numbers via NY Times.

Mayor Bloomberg's new budget will layoff thousands of teachers.

UFCW and Smithfield are continuing their Hunger Tour, donating 228,000 servings of protein to the Alabama tornado victims.

In Ohio, Local 880 Rite-Aid workers have been on strike looking for a new contract from the company.

BJ's Wholesale Club saw an increase in sales in April.  Target saw double-digit increases in sales but were disappointed.

Thursday Afternoon News Recaps: 5/1-5/5

500 Rite-Aid workers reached a tentative contract after a five-year-anti-union campaign by Rite Aid.


Acme cuts 900 Part-Time workers to reflect loss of sales volume at struggling stores.

Walmart is trying their version of Fresh Direct, "Web Grocery".

They're also investing $756 million into Brazil.

AlterNet looks at Walmart's literal impact on hundreds of millions of people throughout the world.

As they [Walmart] remain atop the Fortune 500, another study proves it: Walmart Destroys Small Business. More @ Portfolio.

Walmart's NYC plans were on Community Board 3's agenda Tuesday.

In Southern California, a Federal Mediator has been called in to assist in talks between seven UFCW Locals representing over 60,000 grocery workers and Southern California grocers...A media blackout has also been agreed upon.

UFCW 152, along with small business owners, is fighting Walmart's expansion in New Jersey.

Last week a judge approved A&P's plan to sell 22 SuperFresh stores in Maryland.

A&P executives also won their outrageous bonuses, amidst severe objections.

Stop & Shop re-started their 'gas rewards' program @ Shell gas stations.

Target is continuing their grocery expansion, by end of 2011 they'll be revamping 850 stores.

Grocery is not the only thing Target's expanding on, CEO Gregg Steinhafel's salary increased 83% last year, yeah that's not a typo, eighty-three percent.

Target withstood Walmart's aggressive message/campaign of "price matching" last month, now Walmart is pondering new ideas how to beat Target. Read it @ DrugStoreNews.

Whole Foods saw their best Q2 results in 5 years....They're also opening their first Chicago store.

Politics

In Canada, farm workers can't organize.

via AFL-CIO Blog: Ohio Republican Gov. John Kasich, who signed into law a bill to kill collective bargaining rights for public employees, now has issued proclamations making this week “Public Service Appreciation Week” and “Teacher Appreciation Week.”

Brooklyn leads the living wage battle w/ our brothers and sisters @ RWDSU.

Elsewhere

Check out the only known video/audio of Mother Jones, yes you read that right @ 100 years old, it's a must watch for anyone in the labor movement.

Remember to support flower workers this Mother's Day.

NYC is number 1 again for business.

College Grads will see the worst job market since the Great Depression.

A complete list of all our Area meetings is available here.

Thursday Afternoon News Briefs

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

 "As part of our ongoing review of our store footprint, we determined that these 25 Superfresh locations are outside of A&P's core market,"
-Sam Martin, A&P CEO in today's Baltimore Sun.

#A&P/Pathmark

A&P has said it has approached bankruptcy courts to approve the sale of 25 Superfresh stores, as part of its plans to revive its business. The firm said the sale includes 22 outlets in Maryland, two in Delaware and one in Washington D.C. [Press Release]

So A&P is trying to sell 25 Superfresh stores as part as their turnaround strategy, why Superfresh? The Baltimore Sun analyzes the situation.

And then there is a planned Pathmark to open in North Liberties, PA. Where the developer has petitioned the bankruptcy judge to 'clear the way for a new supermarket to open', where Pathmark has continued to stall and are according to the motion "affecting the ability to sign leases with other tenants in the shopping center."  Read it @ Philly.com.

Seems that everyone is getting their licks in on A&P, in NYC a developer is suing A&P to recover some $6 million they put down on a deal which fell through to develop two luxury towers on Cherry Street in Manhattan. Read it @ WSJ Blogs.

Central Jersey Press: Hillsborough Pathmark to Close this Weekend.

Supermarket News covers our charge against A&P...Secretary-Treasurer Tony Speelman said on Twitter, "We will not allow A&P to 're-build' their company on our members' backs. Closing stores and laying off people who helped build this once great company is not a business plan." You can follow him on Twitter @Aspeel1500.

UFCW Reps are scheduled to speak at Ahold's (Stop & Shop owner) annual meeting in the Netherlands....  Three workers from Virginia will also attend.

UFCW California Contract: Members of seven California UFCW Locals are scheduled to take strike authorization votes next week.

#WalmartNYC

Crain's: Walmart foes battle retailer's Brooklyn Plan. 

@ NY1: Brooklyn Residents Raise Concerns on Potential Walmart.  "Walmart forces businesses to shut down. They can't compete with their low prices, and traffic is lost on neighborhood retail strips and small businesses close down," said Daniel Coates of Small Business United.  More @TheRealDeal.


New York City says "Don't be Related to Walmart!", Matt Ryan from JWJ writes in the Huffington Post.


Walmart is downsizing their electronics department for more plus-sized clothing...

#Elsewhere

A Met Foods in the Bronx is changing over to a Foodtown.


@AFL-CIO, you can show solidarity with workers, buy a 'We are ONE' pin or button.
 
The bidding for BJ's Wholesale Club starts today...

Target pushing north to Canada @FoxNews.

Tuesday Afternoon One Liners: Walmart Chicago, A&P gets a Complaint

“Our Union will continue to drive home the point that it is the workers that will lead A&P out of its financial troubles. However, they have a both a moral and legal obligation to do all they can for employees that are being impacted immediately by this bankruptcy.”
-Bruce W. Both, President of UFCW Local 1500 in a statement today announcing they have filed charges against A&P.

Supermarket News writes, financial lawsuits pile up at A&P...Meanwhile A&P and Stop & Shop settle the Rocky Vitale suit, terms of the settlement were not disclosed.  Bloomberg News has more details.

Residents in Toms River are wondering where they're going to shop for groceries.

A U.S. appeals court ruled against Arizona's Immigration law.  Read it @ NY Times.

Walmart's response to Target's 'P-Fresh', price matching, read the synopsis in the Minnesota Star Tribune. No surprise they launched a multi-million dollar advertising campaign on Monday.

At Related's Headquarters, a FlashMob sang and performed in protest to a potential Walmart opening a store in NYC.

Crain's Investigative report, Chicago Walmart Failures:

When Wal-Mart Stores Inc. hired Margaret Garner in 2005 as the first black woman contractor to build one of its stores, she was hailed as a symbol of the benefits local businesses and minority communities would reap from the retail giant's push into Chicago.

Six years later, her company is bankrupt, crushed by cost overruns on Wal-Mart's first Chicago store, located in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago's West Side. A Crain's investigation shows that the benefits to minority contractors were less than suggested by the hype surrounding Ms. Garner's hiring.

At a community meeting on Monday, Walmart didn't receive too warm of a welcome @ CBS News.  They've also closed on their coveted land in the South Side of Chicago for their first Super Center..

This Saturday, Make the Road NY's innovative new piece of legislation, the Wage Theft Prevention Act (WTPA) went into effect. This comprehensive new State law marks an enormous victory for workers throughout New York.  Read more @ Crain's.

John Castimatidis was interviewed on Gotham Radio this weekend, topics ranging from Mayoral race to Walmart in NYC.

And the 2011 UFCW International Scholarship Application is now available. Sign up!

NY Industry News Briefs: 4/6-4/7

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Forbes observes while Walmart and Target are changing to smaller format stores for more 'urban appeal', Aldi has the upper hand, as demonstrated in Queens.  Forbes.com.

Progressive Grocer was at the grand opening of Food Town in Williamsburg.

Stop & Shop celebrated their 21st anniversary.

A&P is suing Stop & Shop for allegedly  hiring a former executive, Rocky Vitale.

In D.C., Walmart protesters disrupted a City Council session.

Speaking of Walmart, it was announced recently they're the least loved department store on Social Media.

In San Diego, where Walmart is also spending millions of dollars to gain support to open a store, a bill passed requiring new "superstores" (90,000 sqft or more) to conduct economic impact analysis studies, part of the permit process.  Read more @ Sign on San Diego.

The UFCW rallied for justice for Fresh and Easy workers in California.

BJ's CEO Laura Sen made $4M this year.

From New Jersey: A&P Barnegat scheduled to close this month, the company is mum on workers.  Real estate owners say another tenant, possibly a supermarket may fill the vacant space.

In Wisconsin, voters are coming out against Gov. Scott Walker's candidates. 


The City canned plans to pave the Coney Island boardwalk with cement.

NY Industry News Briefs: 4/1-4/5

Cover of Martin Luther King, Jr.

In March, jobs increased by 216,000.

AFL-CIO Blog: Walker's attacks on workers creates a new interest for unions in America.

Stop & Shop hires 150 local workers, 100 from the closed Shaw's store in CT.

Last week a judge upheld the ruling for Walmart's $7K fine from OSHA, for the tragedy at their Valley Stream store, when a temporary employee was trampled to death on Black Friday in 2008.  The Times reports how Walmart aggressively fought this fine, and is planning to appeal it, spending over $2 million fighting the $7,000 fine. More @ Columbia Journalism Review.

Walmart is also thinking of testing California deliveries. More @ Consumerist.

Last month, the NY POST wrote an article which inaccurately depicted supermarket prices throughout NYC.  Today, Nicholas Dagostino published his response.

On April Fools Day the Working Families Party put out a fake press release announcing a partnership with Walmart.

No joke, Mini-Walmarts are coming; WSJ.

Walmart's massive PR campaign continued today with new mailers going out throughout NYC.

Here's why Martin Luther King Jr. would support Public Workers.

MLK III is also making a push for living wage with elected officials. 

A&P is suing Stop & Shop for hiring Ex-Operations Vice President.

A&P also announced a new Kosher promotion, hiring/establishing a new "Kosher category manager".