Next Resource Fair for A&P Members: 10/23 in NYC

On Friday, 10/23, we'll be holding our fourth member resource fair, this time in New York City at RWDSU. 

 

At the fair,  the NY DOL will conduct workshops and training's on resume writing, job search assistance, unemployment FAQs, transferable skills and much more. 

Employers will also be at the fair conducting on site job interviews for all members interested. 

For more information or to RSVP please visit ufcwmemberresources.com.

Final A&P Auction Update

Today was the final day for the public auctions of the remaining A&P stores.  Only 15 stores were auctioned today, 14 were purchased and one was adjourned. Three stores represented by Local 1500 were auctioned and purchased today:  Pathmark 603 was bought by Foodtown. Pathmark 634 (previously reported as purchased by Bogopa Food Bazaar) was out-bid today and bought by a Real Estate Firm called Lee & Associates. Pathmark 611 was unfortunately purchased by Best Yet Markets. All auctioned stores, including the stores auctioned last week, are scheduled to be reviewed and finalized in bankruptcy court on Friday October 16th.

All remaining stores that have yet to be auctioned or those that have been adjourned are still available for sale to any buyer that contacts A&P or their real estate representatives before October 16th.  A&P & its bankruptcy representatives have the exclusive right to open up the bidding for any store or group of stores at any time in the future in an effort to sell them before they close. 

 

We are still contacting and meeting with Union employers every day in an effort to find buyers for our remaining stores and keep as many of you working as we can.  Please review the chart below for a full updated list of our Pathmark stores.

For the members of Pathmark’s 623 and 663, we have confirmed that your severance will be paid within 30 days of the October 18th closing date.  Severance will be paid out in a lump sum payment. If you have any questions about your level of severance please contact your respective Union Representative: Pathmark # 663: Joe Waddy 516-214-1349, jwaddy@ufcw1500.org. Pathmark # 623: Joe Castelli, 516-214-1360, jcastelli@ufcw1500.org. 

 

For members in the balance of the stores that go unsold during the auction process, the judge hasn’t formally ruled on your level of severance yet, but we expect that decision to be made some time on or after October 16th.  All of the UFCW Local Unions and our bankruptcy professionals have been pushing the court aggressively to ensure that all members negatively impacted by this process get the same level of severance, regardless of when a store closes.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to your Union Representative with any questions you may have.

 

Resource Fairs:   This week we held our Nassau Resource Fair at our Union Office. Over 100 members attended and met with the Department of Labor, received resume writing tips and were interviewed by perspective employers. The next resource fair is Thursday, October 15th in Suffolk County at IBEW Local 25 in Hauppauge, RSVP here.  We strongly encourage all members to attend the Resource Fairs.   There will also be a Fair in New York City.  The New York City date is still tentative, once it is confirmed we will let you know. In the meantime you can visit www.ufcwmemberresources.com for more information.   Please do not hesitate to contact us for any questions, concerns or issues.

 

 

Thank you,

Bruce W. Both

President

UFCW Local 1500

 

 

For all archived Pathmark updates, visit: www.ufcw1500.org/pathmarkupdates

 

 

 

 

—IMPORTANT A&P BANKRUPTCY DATES —

Friday, September 11th The Bankruptcy Court will hear UFCW's objections to A&P’s KERP (corporate bonus plan).

Monday, September 28th (tentative) Bid Deadline: All qualifying bids on the stores are due into the Bankruptcy Court. The Bankruptcy Court will announce what Tier I stores have agreements to be sold and what stores will be sold at the auction on 10/1 & 10/2.

Thursday, October 1st and/or Friday, October 2nd The auction for the remaining unsold and or closed stores will be held (depending on number of stores, dates could extend).

Friday, October 2nd (tentative) Bidders can file objections to the sale of stores in the Bankruptcy Court. The UFCW can also file objections to bids made on the stores.

Friday, October 16th A hearing will be held regarding the objections to the sales filed to the Bankruptcy Court. At this stage, the UFCW will have a voice during the auction process to make recommendations on bidders. For instance, if two companies place a comparable bid on the same store and one is a union employer, while the other is non-union, the unionized store would have an advantage and they should likely win the bid.   A hearing will be held on A&P's filing of a 1113(c).   Bid winners will be formally announced.

—UPCOMING UNION EVENTS —

Resource Fairs: You may have read that we will be hosting workshops and resource fairs for members displaced by the A&P bankruptcy in our September Newspaper.

 

There will be two other fairs in our area, one in Suffolk County on October 15th at IBEW Local 25 in Hauppauge, RSVP here. There will also be a Fair in New York City.  The New York City date is still tentative, once it is confirmed we will let you know. In the meantime you can visit www.ufcwmemberresources.com for more information.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any questions, concerns or issues

UFCW President Perrone to Fortress Investment Group: "Terms & Timeline Threaten to Destroy Thousands of Jobs"

Our International President, Marc Perrone, has sent a letter to the Fortress Board of Directors in response to the terms and timelines required for Debtor-In-Possession financing for A&P.

Click the image to enlarge and read the letter.

Our International President and all UFCW Locals are standing together in solidarity to fight back.

Find all Pathmark Bankruptcy Updates here.

Top 10 News: Fairway's New Store, Eyes on Detroit

Fairway opened their 13th & smallest store in Chelsea this week, creating over 250 union jobs!  You can check out photos on our blog.

Wall Street Journal Front Page: Worker Centers, the Backdoor to Union Organizing.

Another Car Wash in the Bronx was organized this week! Congratulations to our new union brothers and sisters!

A&P has hired a Credit Suisse to explore options, including the sale of the the franchise.

Fast Food workers in NYC this week voted to strike Friday evening!  The strike comes after a Domino's Pizza worker was fired for bringing his coworkers to a pro-union rally earlier this year.

30 workers walked off the job on Wednesday at a warehouse of a luggage supplier to Walmart, to protest retaliation from managers after the workers complained about poor working conditions.

Detroit Bankruptcy: Sure you can read The Economist and almost every media outlet pondering if Detroit can be mended...But more importantly what does this bankruptcy mean to workers' public pensions?  Unions are fighting back, urging the White House to protect worker pensions.

Is it time to raise the federal minimum wage?  4 out of 5 Americans think so.

The Voting Rights Act is "the cornerstone of modern civil rights law, we cannot allow the slow unraveling of the progress so many, throughout history, have sacrificed so much to achieve" -Attorney General Eric Holder on the US Justice Department  seeking to block Texas from implementing voting rights changes without federal approval.

Did you know Goldman Sachs makes your beer more expensive? Seriously.  Pretty insane stuff here.

Pathmark Member Advisory from President Bruce Both

Pathmark Member Advisory
March 3,2012

Local 1500, along with other unions that represent A&P workers, have been advised that A&P will be offering a Voluntary Separating Program (VSP) to select Full Time employees. Details of the plan will be presented by the company.

A&P has determined that it must reduce it's labor costs if it is to become profitable in the future.  The company has stated that starting March 5th, information about the VSP will be communicated to eligible Full Time employees throughout the week.

During the following week, meetings with eligible Full Time employees will be held by company Human Resource Managers at various locations.  During subsequent weeks eligible employees must make their decision if they are going to accept the company sponsored buy out.

It is our understanding that the last day of employment, for those who accept the buyout will be April 21st.  As final details of the plan become available we will keep you updated.


xx

 

Weeks End News Briefs: Walmart in LA, A&P Bankruptcy & Whole Foods in Brooklyn

Here's a round up of the top News from this week: 

The A&P Bankruptcy judge has OK'd the company's Chapter 11 exit plan.  A&P also announced, Sam Martin will remain as CEO.

President Bruce Both of UFCW Local 1500 has released a statement on Sam Martin's salary and bonus during bankruptcy.

UFCW President Joe Hansen was on the Bill Press show discussing: Walmart, Presidential Primaries & the political attack on workers around the country. Check it out on the UFCW Blog!

A 52,000 square foot Pennsylvania Pathmark, set to close within two months, has four potential supermarket retailers vying for the site. Hopefully they're union employers.

The Southampton Press has an update on a new King Kullen in Southampton.

Trader Joe's has finally signed the Fair Food Agreement with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, agreeing to pay a penny more a pound for tomato pickers in Florida, which is speculated to be nearly a 50% increase in pay for farmers.

With Whole Foods on pace to open 27 new stores this year, on Tuesday they won approval to build their first store in Brooklyn at the Gowanus Canal.

Walmart is trying to open a neighborhood market in LA, a 33,000 square foot store would be the first 'neighborhood market' in LA, and is proposed to be opened below a multi-floor senior citizen apartment complex. The project is being met with opposition from small businesses throughout downtown LA. Check out more @HuffingtonPost.

Ahold (parent company of Stop & Shop) has bought the online retailer Bol.com for $470 million, in order to increase internet sales.

Ahold also had a huge fourth-quarter, announcing their fourth-quarter profit jumped 75% 

Britain's largest unions are threatening a strike during the Olympics.

American Rights at Work released a great report which reveals when employees come together, benefits go beyond the workplace.

In support of UFCW Local 5's negotiations, Local 5 members are dropping by stores asking consumers for support by signing pledge cards.

And finally if you hadn't heard, an over 15-year UFCW Local 1776 member and Diary Manager won a Grammy! Congratulations!

Update #21 from UFCW/RWDSU Locals 1500, 338 and 342 A&P Bankruptcy Negotating Team

Update on A&P/Pathmark Bankruptcy Negotiations from UFCW/RWDSU Locals 1500, 342 and 338

Sunday, November 13th

At the conclusion of four straight days of negotiations, UFCW and RWDSU Local Unions presented to A&P/Pathmark a proposal to bring before the Federal bankruptcy judge for consideration. Under the court ordered confidentiality agreement, details of the proposal cannot be released or discussed until the court process permits.

To be clear, no tentative agreement has been reached between the unions and A&P.  Any agreement on labor concessions must be voted on by the members.  This will only take place after the court process permits the unions to bring the proposal to the members.  The members will have sufficient time to review any proposal prior to voting.

The company is scheduled to appear before the Federal bankruptcy judge Monday morning, November 14th.

UFCW/RWDSU Locals 1500, 338 and 342 have stood together throughout and will remain united.

Your Union will continue to keep you updated. Members should continue to stay focused, united and informed. Please report any rumors to your union delegate. Follow our updates on the unions website and/or Facebook page. As we have said all along, we will continue to provide information to you in compliance with the confidentiality guidelines of the bankruptcy court.

Update #19 From UFCW Local 1500 on A&P (Pathmark) Bankruptcy Negotiations

Image via Wikipedia

The following update is from the UFCW Local 1500 A&P/Pathmark Bankruptcy Negotiation Team:

Negotiations between the UFCW Local 1500, A&P Pathmark and the several other affected UFCW Local Unions concluded Thursday evening with no progress having made between the parties.

The following is a brief summary of the current status of the negotiations:

1.  Unions representing UFCW members working in A&P/Pathmark stores located in New York have presented a united front to the company and have made it clear that their solidarity will not be broken.  Management must deal with the New York unions together.

2.   Despite various reports from other sources outlining the companies demands, UFCW Local 1500 members should understand these negotiations will NOT be driven by any set of unacceptable demands made by the company.  The Union considers several demands "dead on arrival."

3. The company is scheduled to appear before the Federal bankruptcy judge Monday morning, November 14, 2011. The unions are prepared to meet non-stop through the weekend to reach a fair agreement.

UFCW Local 1500 will continue to keep you updated as soon as events change.  We continue to work very hard to reach an agreement that saves jobs, keeps as much of our contract with Pathmark intact and helps return this company to profitability and growth.

Members should continue to stay focused, united and informed.  Please report any rumors to your union delegate. Follow our updates on the union website and our Facebook page.  As we have all along, we will continue to disseminate information to you in compliance with the confidentiality guidelines of the bankruptcy court.

Monday Mornin' One Liners: Nov 4 - Nov 7th: Burkle to Chair A&P

#A&P

Ron Burkle will chair A&P under the new buyout plan.

The proposed new board of directors would also include two designees each from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Mount Kellett Capital Management; one director selected by the United Food and Commercial Workers union; and A&P’s chief executive officer, Sam Martin. The former two companies are combining with Yucaipa on a $490 million deal to buy A&P out of U.S. Bankruptcy Court and operate it as a privately held company, as reported first in SN Thursday. The plan is predicated upon savings as a result of a new labor deal with the UFCW, which has yet to be reached.
Read more: http://supermarketnews.com/retail_financial/burkle_ap_1104/?cid=upd#ixzz1d1mrohwR

The Bergen Record: A&P Deal Called Positive for Unions, Business.

Wall Street Journal: Yucaipa keeps A&P in its Grocery Basket.

More @ Reuters, Progressive Grocer.

The Westbury Times profiles a Local 338 member working at Waldbaum's and how the A&P bankruptcy is affecting workers.

Patch highlights how A&P's negotiations have been affecting local workers in Long Island.

#Industry
Best Yet will take over for a shuttered Waldbaum's in Patchogue, Long Island.

The National Labor Relations Board accuses Target of intimidating workers at Valley Stream before their union vote this past June.

There's a Thanksgiving Food Drive at Dix Hills Stop & Shop.

King Kullen opened a new store Friday in Garden City, Long Island.

Rumors of a new "high-end" supermarket could be opening in Southampton.

30 workers at Master Food in Flatbush have been overworked and underpaid, Local 338 helped them win back wages and a union contract!

Workers at a Flatbush supermarket who charged they were illegally stiffed on their wages for years settled a lawsuit for $300,000 - and a union contract.

The 30 workers at Master Food on Church Ave. charged they worked 12 hour days, six or seven days a week, for as little as $3.93 an hour, and never got required overtime pay. Read more: @ Daily News

#Politics

Prioritizing attacks on NLRB at the expense of Jobs:
 According to a new report from American Rights at Work in 2011 alone Republicans have launched nearly 50 attacks on the National Labor Relations Board. 

The AFL-CIO says it right: "The assaults on workers’ rights comes at a time when most Americans say jobs are the nation’s No. 1 priority."

Check out the report along with some interesting graphics here.

  

AFL-CIO Blog: For the third time in a month, senate repbulicans kill "Rebuild America Act," an act which would create hundreds of thousands of jobs.

The AFL-CIO Blog also lists Verizon and 29 other very large corporations who haven't paid taxes since 2007.

Unions supply food for thousands of Occupy Oakland protesters.

UFCW Blog: 80,000 Jobs aren't enough to re-start our economy.

Nov. 4th: Update to all UFCW/RWDSU Members Working at A&P or Subsidiary Company

The following message is from the UFCW/RWDSU A&P Negotiating Team

November 4, 2011

Attention all UFCW/RWDSU Members Working at A&P or Subsidiary Company:

A&P has filed a motion in the Bankruptcy Court asking approval to enter into agreements with Yucaipa and certain note holders. Those agreements would form the basis of a plan of reorganization and an investment in A&P of $490 million by Yucaipa and those note holders. This investment is conditioned on obtaining concessionary labor agreements on a very fast time frame. The Motion is scheduled to be heard by the Bankruptcy Court on November 14, 2011.

The UFCW and UFCW Local Unions will be meeting on Monday, November 7, 2011, with Ron Burkle of Yucaipa, one of the investors in this proposed transaction. We are pleased, given his past experience in the grocery business, that he will be involved in this proposed transaction. The Monday meeting will review these investment proposals and the path forward to try to reach new labor agreements.

We will further communicate with you following the meeting with Ron Burkle and advise you of our progress.

In Solidarity,

UFCW A&P Negotiating Committee


Download the printable format below: 

Tuesday Morning News Briefs:

Image via WikipediaHappy Labor Day! 

Check out this great Op-Ed: Unions & America fit together like Legos! Message from the editorial: If we don't love and support the working men and women of this country, we are in deep trouble.

Southern California negotiations overshadow Labor Day.

Small business owners have a lot to lose if there is a strike in Southern California. [Press Release]

[LA-Times] A California bill that would ban alcohol sales at self-checkouts progresses..

Kroger has purchased nine Schnucks supermarkets, which raised an interesting discussion as the FTC worries about monopoly concerns as Target & Walmart continue to expand as grocers.

Another cheap hustle from Walmart as they donate $50,000 to the Brooklyn Public Library.

A new King Kullen in Island Park, which has been held up by red tape for the last few years, is scheduled to start construction next month and open in late 2012. [Long Island Press]

A new book chronicles the rise of A&P.

Former Nostrand Ave Pathmark shoppers are now shopping at 'Food Basics'.

In Ohio, Kroger employees are taking their case to public after negotiations between the company and employees break down...Kroger is refusing to budge on employees’ demands for a pay increase after management received a pay raise in July. 

Thanks!

A&P Seeks More Time to File Reorganization Plan

Via Supermarket News: 
http://supermarketnews.com/retail_financial/ap_plan_0803/?cid=upd
By: John Springer

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — A&P has asked U.S. Bankruptcy Court here for a second extension of its deadline to submit an exclusive plan of reorganization to its creditors. The retailer in court papers filed this week said the extension — to Jan. 16 of next year from a previous deadline of Dec. 31 — would assure stability through the holiday season giving it "the very best opportunity for a successful exit from Chapter 11." A&P said talks with organized labor over the renegotiation of 34 collective bargaining agreements was at a "crucial stage" while it was pushing ahead with other efforts on its operational turnaround. The exclusivity period allows company management to craft a plan to pay back creditors as opposed to creditor constituencies, which can present their own plans after the deadline. The request to extend also asks the court approve an extension of A&P's exclusive solicitation period through March 16, from an earlier date of Feb. 29.

We will continue to keep you updated, please contact us at 800-522-0456 or info@ufcw1500.org for any questions or comments you may have.

A&P/Pathmark Update; July 18, 2011

To All Local 1500 members working at Pathmark (A&P):

All 13 of the UFCW Locals involved with A&P remain united and determined to work and negotiate jointly as we move through this process. Late in the day on Wednesday, July 13th, the Local unions received a second proposal from the company. Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more apparent that the company is not listening or does not believe us when we say that we will not allow them to take advantage of this situation. Their second proposal is not much different than their initial, as they seem intent on placing the full burden of their recovery plan squarely on the shoulders of You – Our members!

In their latest proposal, the company is still seeking hundreds of layoffs, drastic wage reductions, elimination of Sunday premiums, and changes that would jeopardize your pension. As if it is not enough for them to reach into your pocket, they are also seeking language changes that we believe do not provide them with any real savings. These proposed changes, categorized as “Managements Rights” would decimate many of your union protections and severely endanger your job security. As part of their latest proposal the company is seeking to “Rightsize the Workforce,” which is a corporate term for the layoff of hundreds of people. Included in the proposal are language changes that would allow them to change how they conduct that layoff.

They are seeking changes to our seniority rights and bumping procedures that would make it easier for them to conduct a layoff and realize a savings through the elimination of rate retention. This would allow them to layoff the least senior people and replace them with people with more seniority at the rate of pay of those that they laid off! It is becoming more and more apparent that the company believes that they will be able to get what they want – when they want it! And they expect you to give it to them! It is that thought process that allowed them to give millions of dollars in bonuses to their executives and 2 months later expect you to accept these unreasonable and devastating concessions. They are mistaken!

As we have said from the beginning, we are willing to help this company with their financial recovery but will not allow them to take advantage of the situation but they do not seem to be listening. We have been working hard to avoid a Strike, but we must be prepared for one! While we still hope one can be avoided, it is something that is becoming more of a possibility! Should a Strike become necessary, our Local Unions are ready, are you? We are asking all of our UFCW members working at A&P to begin to prepare themselves for a possible strike. A&P must understand that we are willing to Chip In - Not Give In!

Please contact us for any questions of concerns you may have, info@ufcw1500.org or by contacting your union representative at 1-800-522-0456. 

In Solidarity,

Bruce W. Both, President

Anthony Speelman, Secretary-Treasurer

Important Update for all Local 1500 Pathmark Members

Image via Wikipedia

The UFCW A&P Negotiating Committee has released an update to all UFCW members working under the A&P banner.  You may download and view the update here: http://ufcw1500.org/files/shared/apBinder1.pdf 


(Note: Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to view this update, download the Adobe Reader here)

Please contact your Union Representative or email us info@ufcw1500.org for any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Message to Local 1500 Members Working at Pathmark/A&P

By: Bruce W. Both, President UFCW Local 1500 

A message to UFCW Members at A&P-owned supermarkets:
June 3, 2011

In recent weeks, your local union and the other UFCW local unions at A&P-owned stores have been meeting with A&P about the company’s bankruptcy proceedings. The goal of these meetings, and all our previous work on the bankruptcy committee, is for A&P to emerge from this process healthy enough that our members can continue to serve customers in as many communities as possible.

One of the requirements of our union’s participation in the bankruptcy process is to maintain strict confidentiality about financial, operational, and other information that is provided pursuant to a court-approved confidentiality agreement. That confidentiality also covers the Company’s review of such information at meetings. It’s difficult, mind you, to have a look behind the company’s curtain yet and not be able to communicate that information to our members. It’s very important that we honor the agreement lest we lose the opportunity to participate in the process and review that key information so that we can advocate for your job standards and your union contract. Ultimately we will be able to review the conclusions the unions reach after reviewing such information.

One thing is very clear - A&P would like to change everything in your union contract, under the cover of bankruptcy reorganization. In the information sharing process, the company has shown that it views all economic contract provisions as up for negotiation. Even worse, it views non-economic provisions, including those about transfers, schedules, hours, and classifications, as potential items to demand to negotiate away.

Our union will not let this happen. Our financial analysis clearly shows that there is no economic need for the type of wholesale change to the contracts sought by the company. While some changes to our contracts may happen, by standing strong together, we can keep any changes to the minimum of what’s actually necessary.

A&P needs to make changes to its corporate structure that put it back on a long-range path to success. Many of those changes will need to happen at the management level.

We are still early in this process, but it’s never too early to stick together. A&P workers are willing do to our part to get this company back on the right track and to make changes that will have a long-term positive impact on our company.

UFCW local unions will continue our coordinated work to protect UFCW members throughout the A&P chain. Shop stewards will continue to serve as key leaders in your store and we encourage you to talk with your steward about the bankruptcy process and what each of you can do to help secure a positive outcome for all A&P workers. As always, your union representative is also available to answer any questions.

In Solidarity,

Bruce W. Both
President, UFCW Local 1500

Statement from President Both; Re: A&P's Bonus Plan

Image via WikipediaThe following is a statement from Bruce W. Both, President of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500:


“On April 26th A&P submitted a revised incentive plan to U.S. Bankruptcy Court that would provide its top executives with up to $3.7 million in performance bonuses. The incentive plan replaces the one that was opposed by us and other creditors and was rejected by the bankruptcy judge in the case last month.

As we did previously, UFCW Local 1500 opposes A&P's latest plan to reward their top executives while our members continue to suffer. It is outrageous for top executives to continue seek bonuses that total up to $3.7 million while asking our members to continue to shoulder real sacrifices.

A&P continues to exhibit such indifference to the hardships of our members. Company executives that have been with this company for no more than a year in some cases are seeking to benefit from the hard work our members have put in over the last few decades in order to keep their paychecks coming. They seek to transfer money out of the pockets of our members and into their own pockets. That is not a responsible reorganization plan.

It has been over 130 days since A&P filed for bankruptcy and A&P still has no turnaround business plan, yet they continue to lobby the courts for bonuses. That is irresponsible and indicative of the management problems that have brought is to this point.

UFCW Local 1500 will continue to oppose these “Key Employee Incentive Plans” until they realize that the “Key” employees are the members of our Union working in the stores.” 

Support and join Pathmark employees on Facebook.

NY Industry News Round Up: 4/19-4/21

Image via Wikipedia

 "We will not allow any employer, regardless of size, to attempt to take advantage of another employer's unfortunate circumstances.  We will not be divided on this, and stand ready with our sister UFCW and RWDSU Locals and their members..."

-A letter to all employers with CBA's with UFCW Locals representing A&P stores, check it out on our blog.

Bazzini (notorious peanuts from Yankee Stadium) is closing their manufacturing plant in the Bronx and moving to P.A., cutting 57 jobs.

DNAinfo says East Harlem shops are lame and residents want to shop local.

Students at NYU are standing up for Farmers' rights @ Trader Joe's.
The goal, she says, is to change Trader Joe's, not to sabotage it.
"I don't think it's a terrible company," she said. "I just think it's ridiculously secretive and its marketing is false." 

Locals from Fort Greene, Brooklyn, want more than just bread from their new Red Apple Supermarket.  The store is planned to create over 100 unionized jobs.

A Local 1500 represented ShopRite in Staten Island sold a winning mega millions lottery ticket on Friday worth $72 million. When the winner comes forward, the store will get $10,000.
The store owner, Kevin Mannix, plans to donate the bonus to three organizations that help the homeless and hungry.  Great job!

 ShopRite is helping to rebuild a Church and a Food Pantry in upstate NY. 

They [ShopRite] also rumored to be taking a new site up in the Captial Region.


A Stop & Shop in Queens provides emergency assistance to Kosher Food Pantry.


A new Stop & Shop is set to open next month in Oceanside, creating over 150 union jobs to the area.


Stop & Shop is also replacing their 'produce lighting'


More than 60,000 Southern California grocery workers are voting on whether to authorize a strike against some of the state's largest supermarket chains.

A study released on Monday by University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Labor Research and Education found that increasing wages to $12 per hour would cost Wal-Mart $3.2 billion if applied to all workers across the United States. That amounts to about 1 percent of the company’s annual sales of $305 billion.  Read more @WorkinginTheseTimes.  More @ Huffington Post.

A Dover (Delaware) landlord is weary about his shopping center now that A&P's SuperFresh is up for sale.

Politics
Tell lawmakers 'don't make us work until we die!' In a new video message from the coalition, Strengthen Social Security, Don't Cut it!  Check it out @AFL-CIO's blog.


The Fifth Wisconsin recall petition is ready for filing.


While Republican lawmakers and right-wing talking heads try to demonize the union movement, physicians, nurses, flight instructors, technicians, bakers and more are the latest workers to choose a voice on the job with AFL-CIO unions.  Read more @ the AFL-CIO Blog.


Our next General Membership Meeting is June 8th, RSVP on Facebook!

A Message to all Employers with CBA's w/ UFCW Locals representing A&P Stores...

Image via WikipediaA letter to all employers with Collective Bargaining Agreements with UFCW Locals 100R, 152, 338*, 342, 464A, 1245 & 1500 went out yesterday, April 20, 2011

The letter serves notice to all employers whose contracts are coming due in the near future saying, "we will, as always consider the needs of each employer individually, based upon their particular circumstances...We will not allow any employer, regardless of size, to attempt to take advantage of another employer's unfortunate circumstances.  We will not be divided on this, and stand ready with our sister UFCW and RWDSU Locals and their members..."

You can read the entire letter here: http://ufcw1500.org/files/shared/Letter_4.21.pdf

Please contact us for any questions or comments, info@ufcw1500.org or by phone 800.522.0456.

Tuesday Morning News Briefs: 4/16-4/19

In Greenburgh, the town is offering free shuttles to ShopRite once a week, in order to deal with the town's two A&P supermarket closures.

Developer seeks money back from A&P...

A&P has listed the 25 SuperFresh stores for sale.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission here said Wal-Mart has agreed to pay $440,000 to settle a federal harassment lawsuit by 10 employees who said they endured ethnic slurs and derogatory remarks on a daily basis while working at a Sam's Club in Fresno, Calif.

Here's a shocker to some, Target beats Whole Foods in sustainably seafood rankings.

In Massachusetts where a controversial Whole Foods is being planned in a low income area, it was recently discovered a task force official sitting on the Town's Board of Directors is actually employed by Whole Foods.  Whole Foods has also made donations to the town board.  The Wall Street Journal has more on the fight.


D'Agostino's has some new Earth Day plans.

Racked says if you're worried about a Walmart in NYC, there's already a German one in Queens, Aldi.

Walmart workers get $440K after racial slurs.


Walmart also bought a Social Media Firm, Kosmix.  Business Insider tells us why they spent $300 million to buy a Social Media firm.

Don't let Stop & Shop tell you their economic woes, the parent company announced they're investing $4 million to revamp their corporate offices in Quincy, Mass.  More @ Boston Herald.

They [Stop & Shop] also opened a new store in New Haven last week.  And here in New York, they've donated 1,000 pounds of food to the Queens Jewish Community Council for Passover.

A Message from President Both; Re: Pathmark

                                                                                    February 28, 2011

A&P announced last week that the company would close 32 underperforming stores in the chain’s network of stores.  Every UFCW member is affected by this announcement in one way or another.  Together, the 14 UFCW local unions who represent workers at the chain’s 395 stores are working diligently to put UFCW members in the best possible position for whatever the future holds for this company.

The UFCW A&P local unions have retained financial analysts and bankruptcy attorneys so that our interests are represented in the bankruptcy proceedings. UFCW leaders sit on the creditor’s committee.  By committing to a unified approach, every UFCW local union is operating from the same position – that together, we are stronger. 

We are facing a lengthy process and encourage you to have patience.  Last week’s store closing news was a shock, but as a group, the UFCW was able to respond similarly in every location by using the existing collective bargaining agreement to protect as many jobs as possible.  Several hundred Teamster brothers and sisters have lost their jobs as a result of A&P’s management decisions during this process. You may have seen them protesting the company at your store or stores in your area.  Talk to your union representative about the best way you can show your support.

If you have any questions about the bankruptcy process and how it might affect your store, please attend your next General Membership meeting on March 9, 2011 (RSVP on Facebook), or ask your union representative at (800) 522-0456. 

Yours truly, 

Bruce W. Both
President

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