Monday Mornin' News Bites

Stop & Shop is now filling Pet prescriptions.

The Daily Kos has a good article, 36 ways a union improved your life.

Supermarket News reported all Walmart Directors have been reelected, amidst bribery controversy.
More @ Reuters.

Washington Post: Walmart's proxy vote totals show dissent against CEO and other execs.

Thomas Duane is leaving the NY Senate after 14 years.

A&P CEO Sam Martin was on Fox Business News discussing A&P's comeback and rebound.

Aldi plans on opening on Route 9, Poughkeepsie, this Fall.

Working in These Times looks at labor & Social Media, writes on our victory against Stop & Shop's policy.

The Fresh Market is killing it, analysts call it Whole Foods 2.0.

The UFCW Blog: Day 2: NLRB Open Meeting on Proposed Changes to Un...

Image via WikipediaThe National Labor Relations Board is currently holding hearings on the proposed rule changes for union certifications at workplaces....Last month at Valley Stream Target, we clearly saw the need for rule changes.  Target had little respect for the law, and utilized the months prior to the election to sufffocate employees with anti-union propaganda.  Today, UFCW Executive VP Pat O'Neill will be testifying on behalf of the UFCW. Check out UFCW International Blog:

The UFCW Blog: Day 2: NLRB Open Meeting on Proposed Changes to Un...: "This morning, the National Labor Relations Board dives into day two of a public hearing on its proposed rules to improve the election process..."

Message to Local 1500 Members Working at Pathmark Supermarkets

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeDear Pathmark Member;

The A&P/Pathmark bankruptcy process continues to evolve. I realize the frustration you must all be feeling and I greatly appreciate your patience. I assure you the process is moving along.

The affected Unions and A&P are currently exchanging information. A&P’s financial data and business plan are continuously being reviewed. The Union negotiating team must have the most accurate and credible information to properly assess A&P’s current financial situation.

I can tell you that the company has given the UFCW Locals its initial proposal and it is being reviewed. I expect to make a summary of the company’s initial proposal available for your review within the next few days. I caution you that these are only the companies’ first set of proposals. As long time Union members, you understand that the first proposal will only be a starting point for negotiations and that we will only use it for purposes of negotiating a more reasonable settlement.

Our goal from day one of this process has been too work with the company to reach an agreement that allows them to recover and grow economically while protecting the rights and livelihoods of our members working in their stores. That goal has not and will not change.

While we must hope for and work towards the best possible solution, we must prepare for the worst possible result. Our staff has developed a comprehensive response should one become necessary.

Again, I thank you for your patience. I also want to thank you for the many words of support and encouragement I have heard over the last few weeks. As long as we continue our strong solidarity, we will survive these difficult and challenging times.

Remember: One Union, One Voice!!

Bruce W. Both
President

Executive Vice President Report: Wisconsin Sparks the Labor Movement...

By: Fred Walter, Executive Vice President/Field Director

Today’s middle (working) class continues to shrink each year along with the percent of private sector union workers. Union’s private and public workers are blamed for state fiscal problems and unemployment. The polarizing of public workers in Wisconsin and Ohio confirms the importance Unions have served throughout our countries history. In the 1930’s the National Labor Relations Act guaranteed Unions the right to organize without fear of retribution or firings. 

In 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act was signed into law. During these years the social safety net petitioned for by labor, including unemployment insurance and social security was also established. As Union membership increased to 36% after the war and into the 1950s, so did prosperity in this country. It was thanks, in part to the leveling of economic influence of Unions.  Big Business changed things with the passing of the Taft Hartley Act in 1947. Taft Hartley Act amended the National Labor Relations Act which congress passed in 1935. The Taft Hartley Act was seen as means of demobilizing the labor movement by imposing limits on labor’s ability to progress forward.  The Act also limited radicals from their leadership, people who were typically more active in Union activities.

Union shops were restricted; states were allowed to pass right to worker laws that outlawed union shops. Taft Hartley greatly reduced the power of unions to support each other in strikes. Under the terms of Taft Hartley Act, Ronald Regan fired 11,345 PATCO workers. PATCO was de-certified on October 22, 1981. This act alone put fear in Union members and gave Big Business and government the upper hand in negotiations. 

The recent protests in Wisconsin and Ohio showed there is still a spark in workers to stand up, be organized and have the right to be Union.  Wisconsin also shows us that workers have the right to vote and elect Politicians who will support laws that are worker friendly.  Looking at voter turnout last week in Wisconsin, not only did unions turnout to vote, but all communities who are tired of the middle class being walked on top of made their voice clear.  Wisconsin provides a spark in all of us.  Right now, it is showing us the power we always refer to when we reference our solidarity, speaking with one voice, the power we hold when we come together...Now, it is showing us that Unions will once again level the economic future in this country.

Tuesday Morning One Liners: 300 Loblaw Workers Reach Tentative Agreement; Avoid Strike...

Loblaw's Superstore Workers Reach Tentative Deal; Avoid Strike:
As previously reported in SN, 300 workers, represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1000A, have been working without a contract from more than a year. Local news sources said they will vote on the new contract July 25.

AFL-CIO Blog: From Sweatshop to Union Shop?
The first-known apparel factory in the developing world to pay a living wage is operating in  Villa Altagracia, a small impoverished town in the Dominican Republic. For the first time, the 120 workers at the factory will be paid enough to support themselves and their families.

WSJ: Today's East Harlem; Costco & Condos.

Whole Foods' UK Stores, Dancing in the Red:
The upmarket grocer, which aimed to take on established rivals such as Waitrose and Marks & Spencer, lost £4.3m in Britain in the year to the end of September, according to accounts filed last week

Village Voice Blog: "New Chelsea Trader Joe's is Fabulous" 

San Francisco Gate: Pro Union Law Shot Down
A state appeals court struck down a union-backed California law Monday that allows labor picketing on a store's parking lots and private sidewalks, saying it unconstitutionally requires property owners to host speakers with whom they disagree.

SN: Grocery Wholesaler Indited on Fraud

NEWARK, N.J. — A federal grand jury here has indicted the former owner and chief executive of Capitol Investments Inc. for allegedly leading an $880 million Ponzi scheme related to a bogus grocery wholesaling business. 

 

In Warwick, NY, a Price Chopper Supermarkets store  has been awarded Silver-Level Certification award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill Partnership for reducing the use of refrigerants.