Ahold, Parent Company of Stop & Shop, Earns Billions in Profit, but Refuses to Do What Is Right for its Employees.

Current Stop & Shop fruitbowl logo, shared with Giant-Landover (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ahold continues to ignore that hard-working Stop & Shop employees are the ones who make stores a success.

 (PROVIDENCE, R.I.) – The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) New England Council released the following statement responding to Ahold’s latest earnings report: “Ahold, the parent company of Stop & Shop should be ashamed. Despite their continued profita-bility, earning in excess of $10 billion in profit last year, they continue to demand cuts to their employees’ hard-earned wages and benefits.

“The truth is that the hard-working men and women at Stop & Shop are the key to the company’s success. It is their dedication and commitment to the customers and the communities they serve that provides Stop & Shop with a real business advantage. “It is absolutely absurd to think that such a profitable company would follow a shortsighted low-road, low-wage business model. Doing so is a recipe for failure - not success.

 “The reality is that customers want to support responsible employers that reflect their values and treat their employees with respect. Stop & Shop customers deserve better, our hard-working members deserve better, and the communities they serve deserve better.

“It's time for Stop & Shop to do what is right and provide a fair contract for the thousands of hard working men and women who make their stores a success.”

Gawker Goes Union

Logo of website gawker.com, for use in article Gawker (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Few years back Gawker started writing more and more about labor issues. They were instrumental and THE driving force in reporting the nonsense Target workers were going through when attempting to unionize. They found a way to get their hands on Target's infamous anti-union video...twice. They posted real stories from real Target workers about their real experiences working at the company.

Without writers and reporters who have courage to call out enormous corporations, politicians, or people, our society would be even more screwed up than it already is. The writers at Gawker give workers, and just regular people, platforms to convey their real stories. This week those writers took an enormous step forward and voted to unionize. We hope you'll join us in giving them a HUGE ‪#‎congratulations‬!

You can read more here: http://gawker.com/gawker-media-votes-to-unionize-1708892974

Related articles

• Walmart anti-union video gets leaked

What's News This Week: Arrests, Car Wash, Target Job Cuts

FEATURED

 

Elected Officials, UFCW International President Arrested at Brooklyn Car Wash Solidarity Rally

 

In a show of solidarity for striking workers, two Brooklyn councilmen along with RWDSU President and UFCW President were arrested for blocking traffic in an act of civil disobedience.  The car wash workers are victims of wage theft.  Last November, the owner of Vegas Auto Spa in Park Slope alleged he stole more than $600,000 from workers.  Workers recently voted to join the RWDSU.

 

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WHAT'S NEWS THIS WEEK   1. Kroger's Market Share Grows in 18 Areas   Kroger Co. is giving Walmart a run for its money. In fiscal 2014 Kroger gained market share in 18 of 20 markets tracked by Nielsen, and Walmart is a major player in 15 of those markets, Kroger said in a conference call with analysts on Thursday.    Related:  Kroger Beats Wall Street Expectations, Shares Rise   Lower fuel prices, better-than-expected inventory charges and a solid core operating result all boosted Q4 earnings to $1.04 a share.     2. Ahold to Lay Off 120 in Central Offices   As part of an internal restructuring effort, Ahold announced its eliminating jobs in Carlisle, Pa., and Quincy, Mass.   Related: Stop & Shop Asks for Feedback on Store Brands   Joe Kelley, Out as President of Stop & Shop's New England Division

3. U.S. Adds 295k Jobs in February- Jobless Rate Falls to 5.5%   Related: Two charts show why the job market is still hurting.

4. City Reaches Deal with Building Trades   The de Blasio administration reached a project labor agreement with the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater NY, covering $3.5 billion of work and repairs at the NYC Housing Authority over the next three years.

5. NY Papa John's Franchisee to Pay $2M for Wage Theft   The owner of five Harlem Papa John's Pizza franchises underpaid his delivery workers by millions of dollars, according to a criminal suit filed by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

6. Wisconsin, Round Two: Walker Attacks Private Sector Workers   The Presidential candidate is making his rounds attacking workers.  What happens nationally if he does get elected?

7. Fresh Market will exit California by 3/31   The North Carolina chains troubled expansion will close its California stores by the end of the month.

8. Target Plans to Eliminate 'Several Thousand' Jobs   More @ SN News   Related: Target turns to Hispanic Shoppers for Salvation

9. Whole Foods: Positioned for Success -  Analysts   Analysts are high on Whole Foods for the next few years.

10. Organics are taking off at Costco   Evolving with the times, Costco is increasing its organic offerings.

11. 395 Voting Restrictions Have Been Introduced in 49 States since 2011   Clearly voting rights are under attack.   Related: Very interesting read and plan: How Oregon Hopes to Register Every Eligible Voter     12. UFCW 1500 March Newsletter, Now Online   Read the latest edition of the Register, featuring stories on Fairway negotiations, Stop & Shop and King Kullen negotiations, and much more from your union, UFCW Local 1500.   Related: UFCW General Membership Meeting: March 11th     13. Thousands of Grad Students at Columbia, Brown, Yale, Seek to Form a Union   “I’m Anna. I’m in the history department. I want a union because I want to be able to do this work I love and have a safety net.”   14. NYT Editorial of the Week: Walmart's Visible Hand     Elsewhere & Out There:   Self-Driving cars will be in 30 U.S. cities by end of 2016   Editorial: Charter Schools Do Not Equal Education Reform   Coalition of Immokalee Workers Take Aim at Wendy's   Federal Regulators Link Workers Comp Failures to Income Inequality   Thank You: It's often a thankless job, so we'd like to say, thank you. And thank you for being a subscriber.

 

Shameless Plugs:

 

Union Blood Drive is coming up on March 24th.  If you're interested in donating let us know!

 

Union Plus Benefits: You're eligible for discounts on cell phone bills, mortgages, gyms and more! Find out here.

 

 

Regarding Walmart's Wage Increases

Last week Walmart bowed to the public pressure and to the tireless organizing of workers and announced a wage boost for nearly 40% of its workforce. Make no mistake, this is a win for our movement and for retail workers across the board. We still have a ways to go.

President Both released the following statement regarding the increases:

“This announcement confirms the unmatchable power workers hold when they band together to demand respect from their employer.

“Walmart workers have been relentless, fighting for decades for respect and better working conditions.   However, we have heard many empty promises from Walmart, and today, there are real questions about whether the company is really committed to improving jobs or simply seeking to quiet the concerns of OUR Walmart members, investors, shoppers and taxpayers.

"We don't know what this means for our hours – as more and more workers report that they are not getting the hours they want and need.  The truth is that this raise, especially without any guarantee of hours, is a promise that falls short of what we need to feed our families."

Marc Perrone Elected President of 1.3 Million Member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union

Says by uniting together, we can give workers the opportunities they deserve

Official UFCW Logo

CHICAGO, IL—Today, Marc Perrone, a labor leader who has committed four decades to fighting for hard working families, was elected International President of the 1.3 million member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).

As a proud leader and member of the UFCW, Perrone has long fought to organize more members, bargain the best contracts possible, and hold irresponsible corporations accountable. His values as a labor leader have been defined by the belief that every worker has the right to a decent living, a reliable schedule, quality affordable health care, and respect on the job.

"The choice we face today is whether we will stand together and build an economy that lifts up all families, or watch as even more workers fall further behind and struggle to make ends meet,” Perrone said. “Cynics may believe that these divisions and inequities are irreversible. I do not. We, as a union, do not. I strongly believe that by uniting together we can give workers across North America the opportunities they deserve."

Beginning today, Perrone will spend the coming weeks and months meeting with UFCW members throughout the United States and Canada. As part of this listening tour, Perrone will have one on one conversations, visit worksites, and utilize digital and social media platforms to engage with union members and hear their thoughts and ideas on how the UFCW can grow even stronger.

"The ideas to build a stronger union do not lie within any one individual,” Perrone said. “They lie within all of us. They lie in the collective wisdom and strength of 1.3 million UFCW members who work hard every day to support their families. I want to hear their ideas. I want to hear their vision. I want to hear what we can all do to become an even greater and stronger union for the decades ahead."

Perrone will be succeeding retiring International President Joe Hansen.

Hansen started as a meatcutter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1962 and used his experience as a rank and file union activist to help lift up UFCW members and all workers. Hansen was elected International President in 2004 and helped steer the UFCW through a Great Recession, the flood of corporate money into politics, the single greatest legislative attack on labor in history, and the rise of income inequality.

“Even in the face of unprecedented challenges, Joe Hansen never lost sight of our members,” Perrone said. “His commitment and dedication to the hard-working men and women we represent will never be forgotten.”

During his tenure, Hansen increased union density in meatpacking and processing, formed important global labor alliances, and helped lead the labor movement’s positions on comprehensive immigration reform.

* For Perrone's biography, and the announcement of new UFCW officers, please see below:

Biography of International President Marc Perrone:

Marc Perrone joined the Retail Clerks—which later became the UFCW—in 1971 while working as a courtesy clerk at Weingarten’s food store in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.  Since that time, he has held various positions within the UFCW, including Region 1-Eastern Director and National Director of Strategic Programs, Collective Bargaining and Organizing. For the last decade, he has served as International Secretary-Treasurer, keeping the UFCW on sound fiscal footing in a challenging climate.

New UFCW Officers Elected:

Under the UFCW International Constitution, the International Executive Board is charged with electing a replacement for a vacancy in the office of International President. The UFCW Executive Board consists of 50 International Vice Presidents, primarily local union leaders, and 5 Executive Committee members.

The UFCW International Executive Board also elected former Executive Vice President Pat O’Neill as International Secretary-Treasurer, Esther Lopez as Executive Vice President, and Stuart Appelbaum as Executive Vice President. Paul Meinema currently serves as Executive Vice President and National President of UFCW Canada. Executive Vice President Bill McDonough retired on October 31.

###

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries. The UFCW protects the rights of workers and strengthens America’s middle class by fighting for health care reform, living wages, retirement security, safe working conditions and the right to unionize so that working men and women and their families can realize the American Dream. For more information about the UFCW’s effort to protect workers’ rights and strengthen America’s middle class, visit www.ufcw.org, or join our online community at www.facebook.com/UFCWinternational and www.twitter.com/ufcw.

UFCW President Hansen Statement in Response to President Obama’s Executive Action on Immigration

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joe Hansen, International President of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), today released the following statement in response to President Obama’s plan to take executive action on immigration.

“Today the President announced he will take belated but necessary action to provide relief to immigrant workers, families, and communities. Make no mistake—this is not a substitute for comprehensive immigration reform. But it will prevent the deportation of many immigrants who would have qualified for citizenship under the Senate bill that passed over 500 days ago.

“For nearly a year and a half, the House Republican leadership has refused to take action to fix our broken immigration system. The President has both a legal right and moral responsibility to step in.

“At the UFCW, this has been our fight for decades. Our members and their families have persevered through raids and deportations. UFCW members have mobilized to defeat racist ballot initiatives and our union has assisted workers with the legalization process while negotiating contracts that protect our members where the law fails to. All along, those in UFCW gold have lobbied for comprehensive immigration reform at protests, marches, rallies, town halls, and just yesterday, in front of the White House.

“We will continue to call on Congress to send legislation to the President’s desk. But with no bill to sign, President Obama is rightly using his pen to provide relief to those who are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. Executive action is not all we need or deserve. But it is a step in the right direction and for that we are thankful.”

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En español:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joe Hansen, el presidente internacional de la Unión Internacional de Trabajadores de la Industria de Alimentos y del Comercio (UFCW, por sus siglas en inglés), publicó hoy la siguiente declaración en respuesta al plan del presidente Obama de llevar a cabo una acción ejecutiva sobre la inmigración.

“El Presidente anunció hoy que tomará medidas algo tardías pero necesarias para prestar asistencia a trabajadores, familias y comunidades de inmigrantes. Que quede claro: esto no sustituye de ninguna manera la necesidad de una reforma migratoria integral, pero servirá para prevenir la deportación de muchos inmigrantes que hubieran reunido los requisitos necesarios para obtener la ciudadanía de acuerdo con el proyecto de ley del Senado que se aprobó hace más de 500 días.

Por casi un año y medio, los líderes de republicanos de la Cámara de Representantes se han negado a tomar medidas para arreglar nuestro sistema de inmigración roto. Es tanto el derecho legal como la responsabilidad moral del Presidente intervenir en este asunto.

En la UFCW, esta ha sido nuestra lucha por décadas. Nuestros miembros y sus familias han perseverado a pesar de las redadas y las deportaciones. Los miembros de la UFCW se han movilizado para combatir las iniciativas electorales racistas y nuestra unión ha asistido a los trabajadores con el proceso de legalización y con los contratos negociados que protegen a nuestros miembros en los casos en los que la ley no lo hace. Desde el principio,  aquellos que participan en el programa Gold de la UFCW han cabildeado para lograr una reforma migratoria integral por medio de protestas, marchas, mitines, asambleas públicas y ayer específicamente, frente a la Casa Blanca.

Continuaremos exigiéndole al Congreso que envíe legislación al despacho del Presidente. Pero mientras no haya proyecto de ley para firmar, el presidente Obama ha decidido usar su bolígrafo, en pleno uso de sus derechos, para proporcionar asistencia a aquellos que intentan construir una vida mejor para sí mismos y para sus familias. Esta acción ejecutiva no es todo lo que necesitamos ni todo lo que merecemos. Pero sí es un paso en la dirección correcta y por eso estamos sumamente agradecidos”.

###
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries. The UFCW protects the rights of workers and strengthens America’s middle class by fighting for health care reform, living wages, retirement security, safe working conditions and the right to unionize so that working men and women and their families can realize the American Dream. For more information about the UFCW’s effort to protect workers’ rights and strengthen America’s middle class, visit www.ufcw.org, or join our online community at www.facebook.com/UFCWinternational and www.twitter.com/ufcw.

1600 Protests at Walmart Scheduled for Black Friday

This just in from Our Walmart, there will be an enormous 1,600 protests on Black Friday! Wow.  The movement has grown so much to fight back against the world's largest/wealthiest retailer, each year Black Friday protests are getting larger.  To find a protest near you please visit: blackfridayprotests.org



Here's the press release:

WALMART WORKERS ANNOUNCE BLACK FRIDAY STRIKES

Tens of thousands of teachers, voters, clergy, environmentalists, civil rights leaders to join workers at 1600 protests, calling on Walton family to pay $15 an hour and provide full-time work

NATIONWIDE – In the wake of the first-ever sit down strike at Walmart, members of OUR Walmart announced today that they will strike across the country on Black Friday in protest of the company’s illegal silencing of workers who are standing up for better jobs. Tens of thousands of Americans said they plan to support workers that day at 1600 protests nationwide—the largest mobilization of working families—calling on Walmart’s owners to raise wages to a minimum of $15 an hour and provide consistent, full-time work.

Even as Walmart brings in $16 billion in annual profits and Walmart’s owners—the Waltons—build on their $150 billion in wealth, the majority of Walmart workers are paid less than $25,000 a year.

“Walmart’s low pay business model isn’t working for our families, for our customers and for the company, but change is possible,” said Barbara Gertz, a Walmart associate from Colorado. “Walmart needs to listen to workers like us about how to fix these problems by adding hours and improving pay so that we can get the job done. Threatening and firing us for speaking out about how to improve the stores is illegal and shortsighted. That’s why I’m going on strike on Black Friday and why so many of my co-workers are joining me.”

The unprecedented Black Friday mobilization comes as an increasing number of Americans and Walmart workers point to OUR Walmart as making significant changes at the country’s largest retailer. Most recently, after public calls from OUR Walmart, the company committed to raise wages for its lowest paid workers and rolled out a new scheduling system that allows workers to sign up for open shifts. To date, workers at more than 2,100 Walmart stores nationwide have signed a petition calling on Walmart and the Waltons to publicly commit to paying $15 an hour and providing consistent, full-time hours.

A broad group of Americans who plan to protest on Black Friday, including tens of thousands of teachers, voters, members of the clergy, elected officials, civil rights leaders and women’s rights activists say America’s largest employer and richest family are driving the income inequality problems that are holding the country back. In Washington, residents plan to protest at all 60 Walmart stores in the state. In other states, Americans are planning flash mobs, marches and prayer vigils to support striking Walmart workers and call on the company to improve jobs.

"Shame on Walmart and the Waltons for creating a reality where many Walmart workers say they can't even afford to give their kids Thanksgiving dinner because of their low pay. As someone who has dedicated her career to helping children grow and achieve their dreams, that tears me apart," said teacher and AFT New Mexico President Stephanie Ly. "This Black Friday, teachers, parents and students will all be out protesting at Walmart like never before saying we've had enough. Walmart needs to raise pay and provide full-time work now so workers can feed and support their families."

The Black Friday strikes and protest announcement comes on the heels of the first-ever sit down strikes in company history in Los Angeles, where workers sat down in Crenshaw and Pico Rivera stores, and 23 people were arrested. Los Angeles is also the site of the first-ever strikes at Walmart. The group of striking workers, from stores throughout California, placed tape over their mouths signifying the company’s illegal efforts to silence workers who are calling for better jobs. Striking workers held signs resembling those of the first retail sit-down strike at Woolworth in 1937, when retail workers at the then-largest retailer in the country called for the company to increase pay, provide a 40-hour work week and stop the retaliation against workers who spoke out.

“While today, the disparity of wealth and poverty in the U.S. is just as outrageous as it was during the Great Depression, Walmart is far larger and more global than Woolworth’s ever was, and thus even more dangerous,” said labor historian Dana Frank. “Like the Woolworth's women in 1937, the workers in OUR Walmart are challenging a mass retailer with tentacles all over the world to treat its employees with respect, and inspiring a growing national movement against inequality and for the just treatment of all working people.”

A growing number of Americans say Walmart and its owners are robbing workers of a decent living by paying the majority of associates poverty wages and manipulating their hours. The Walton family, which controls the Walmart empire, is the richest family in the U.S.—with the wealth of 43% of American families combined. While many Walmart workers are unable to feed and clothe their families, the Walton family takes in $8.6 million a day in Walmart dividends alone to build on its $150 billion in wealth. Walmart brings in $16 billion in annual profits.

###
UFCW and OUR Walmart have the purpose of helping Walmart employees as individuals or groups in their dealings with Walmart over labor rights and standards and their efforts to have Walmart publicly commit to adhere to labor rights and standards. UFCW and OUR Walmart have no intent to have Walmart recognize or bargain with UFCW or OUR Walmart as the representative of its employees.

Top 13 Stories This Week: Republicans Crush It, Voters Want High-er Wages

FEATURED

Over $100 Million Spent in Midterm Elections by Koch Brothers and Republicans

The most expensive midterm election by far was this week, and it seems to have paid off for the Koch Brothers and Republicans....Even more, they aren't done, the Freedom Partners Action Fund has already plunked down $2.1 million for the Louisiana runoff.

LOCAL FEATURE

Negotiations began with King Kullen last week, and will begin with Stop & Shop next week.

WHAT'S NEWS THIS WEEK 1. NYS Senator Gillibrand sits down with Stephen Colbert for Post Election Interview Hear her reaction to the election, and her plans for New York. 2. Costco, Publix Lead Way: Not Opening on Thanksgiving The two mega retailers are refusing to open on Thanksgiving.

3. Throwback UFCW Ad Surfaces on Facebook Checkout this old advertisement, produced by our President, Bruce Both, & Secretary-Treasurer, Tony Speelman, in the early 90's.

4. Where's the Loot? Special Report Reveals Hundreds of Companies Dodging Taxes thru Luxembourg FedEx, Pepsi, Ikea & hundreds of other companies channel 100s of billions thru Luxembourg to save billions in taxes.

5. Oil Prices are Dropping...So What? The global oil supply has increased and demand has weakened, prices are down to about $80 a barrel, a more than 25 percent drop since June, and recently fell to a three-year low.

6. John Boehner and Mitch McConnell Pledge to Repeal Obamacare. DailyKos: Go For It. Politics Round Up: Oakland Minimum Wage Wins in Land-Slide San Fran Minimum Wage Voted in @ $15 per hour Alaska, DC, Oregon Legalize Marijuana Democrats: Winning Issues, Losing Candidates Supermarket Industry Reacts to Election Voters Favor Higher Wages, Sick Days

7. Four States Vote to Raise the Minimum Wage The wage increase won its biggest margin of victory in Alaska, where it garnered 69 percent of the vote. In Arkansas, it received 65 percent; in Nebraska, 59 percent approved raising the minimum wage, while in South Dakota, the margin was 53 percent.

8. Trumka Calls on Obama for Immediate Action on Immigration Wasting no time after the midterm elections, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka immediately stepped back into the policy arena, calling on President Barack Obama to take executive action on immigration.

9. Fairway Sales Up 5.9%, but Lower Margins

10. San Fran Cab Drivers Officially Join Union...Take Aim @ Uber, Sidecar

A group of San Francisco cabdrivers in mid-August voted to unionize for the first time in decades. Three weeks ago, the alliance passed the 550 paid members requirement and the affiliation ceremony by the National Taxi Workers Alliance took place Monday, enabling members to access union resources when the taxi industry most needs them.

11. Analysts are Up on Whole Foods

12. Delhaize to Sell Bottom Dollar to Aldi

The group announced Thursday in Brussels that it has signed an agreement to sell Bottom Dollar Food's 66 store locations in the greater Philadelphia and greater Pittsburgh markets to Aldi for approximately $15 million.

Related: Market Basket Walkout Boosts Delhaize Sales

13. Local 880 Signs Contract with Giant Eagle, Heinens

Editorials of the Week:

It Shouldn't Take Congress to Raise the Minimum Wage

Why is Congress needed to force corporations to help build our nation?

An L.A. Story: Unions Show a Sign of Life

A profile of Unite Here member: Gabriela Ochoa is a vivacious woman who buses tables at the Landings Restaurant at the Holiday Inn near Los Angeles International Airport, a job she has held since 2001.

Photo of the week via State Dems:

What Happened Last Week?

Check out the stories #ICYMI last week: FEATURED Walmart Won't Be Coming to Astoria Cove. “We don’t want to see something like a Walmart move in that sort of sucks the small business character out of the community.”  The NY Post is angry, more on the project here. WHAT'S NEWS THIS WEEK 1. Executive Order Directs Officials to Avoid Doing Business with Contractors who Violate Labor Laws  Unfortunately this has to be done by executive order not out of logic or common sense, to protect people.  The law requires contractors to disclose all labor violations.  Read UFCW President Joe Hansen's comments here. 2. New Target CEO signs up for $36 million via Startribune 3. Mrs. Green's Sued for Not Paying Bills The company seems to be in disarray, and has also delayed their openings in Chicago and NYC and they just announced a new store in DC. 4. Ruling: McDonald's is Responsible for Franchise's Labor Practices, Door Opens for Unions The ruling could open the door for unions. 5. USDA Finalizes Safety Ruling for Poultry Workers "For more than two years, UFCW members have spoken out with a simple and compelling message: safe line speeds mean safe workers. With today’s publication of an improved poultry modernization rule, it is clear that the voices of UFCW members were heard loud and clear." UFCW President Joe Hansen 6. Stephen Colbert Defends Teachers vs Union Busting PR Campaign Campbell Brown kicked off her union-busting PR campaign on Stephen Colbert's show, where she was met with some surprises.  Protesters flooded the streets before the TV show filming. 7. A Bill to Get the Labor Movement on the Offense...For Once via The Nation 8. 101-Year Old UFCW Member Thanks Joe Hansen for Pension Increase via UFCW 9. The MET Opera Has Extended their Union Lockout Deadline Friday for 72 Hours 10. Recovery? Mission Accomplish? Avoiding Buzz Words and Finding Out What's Really Going On w/ the Economy 11.  Editorial: Raise the Wage for Everyone...Not Just Some