Breaking News: New York Grocery Workers Union Reaches Tentative Agreement

“Union Solidarity Victorious As Grocery Workers Union Reaches Tentative Agreement"

Union Singles Out Stop and Shop for “Vulture-Like” Tactics

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 and representatives for Pathmark, Stop and Shop and King Kullen Supermarkets reached a tentative agreement Monday evening in what a Union spokesperson termed a “victory for union solidarity.” The agreements mean that there will be no strike at any of the three area supermarkets.

“Negotiations are always difficult,” said Patrick Purcell, spokesperson for the Union. “In this case all three companies had three very different sets of economics. Pathmark and King Kullen had particular challenges and together we bargained hard and fair to resolve them. It was Stop and Shop that made these talks extremely difficult.”     

 The Union singled out Stop and Shop for their reprehensible bargaining tactics. “We all understood that Pathmark was dealing with some financial difficulty,” said Purcell. “Sadly, Stop and Shop swooped in like a vulture hoping to capitalize on Pathmark’s economics and brought us to the brink of a strike. Fortunately it back fired on them as their workers saw through their tasteless tactics and responded with an unprecedented level of solidarity,” Purcell continued. “The consequences of their actions will be felt for many years to come in the form of a more difficult labor-management relationship”   

Purcell announced that one casualty is the end of a labor/management legislative committee. In recent years, the union and Stop and Shop had partnered on legislative issues such as fighting against the bottle bill, a tax on plastic bags, a tax on sugary beverages, high debit card fees and advocating for new supermarket funding via city programs and federal stimulus money. “The Union and their members lobbied to help Stop and Shop receive $16 million in Federal stimulus money and they said thank you by arguing over nickels. That is not a partnership.”

The Union was victorious in many areas of the contract. The workers will not have paycheck deductions to cover their healthcare cost. They will receive wage increases that will put top rated clerks at over $50,000 a year. The entire cost of the pension will be funded by the employers and have no employee contributions. Sunday premium pay will have a modest change with minimal impact on the employees. Lastly, the amount of guaranteed weekly hours for thousands of workers was increased.

“The members of Local 1500 stood up as one Union with one voice,” Purcell noted. “They also showed a great understanding of the effect a strike would have on their customers, many of which have become their friends over the years,” Purcell said.

All agreements are subject to ratification by the members of Pathmark, Stop and Shop and King Kullen. A vote to ratify will be held in approximately 10 days.  Voting on the tentative agreement will be taking place on July 8, more details on locations will be available tomorrow.

Monday Morning News

Stop & Shop Wokers Vote to Permit Strike
Negotiations continue, and no actual strike has been called. But the voting that finished Friday gives the negotiators of Local 1500 of the United Food and Commercial Workers union the OK to call for a work stoppage. 


Grocery Workers Contract Negotiations...
With the threat of a grocery worker strike over the July 4th holiday weekend looming, UFCW Local 1500 and company representatives resumed negotiations Monday morning. 


Interfaith Prayers Press for Food Justice in New York City


Surprise! Entrepreneaurs Have Pro-Union Slant


Biz Bigs Wage War on Union-Scale Match
A bill passed by the state Senate that was intended to force contractors utilities  to pay union-level wages has become a runaway train, with provisions so drastic that the state Assembly is planning sweeping revisions. 

Wal-Mart Aggressively Scouting Sites in Palm Beach County
Wal-Mart Stores, the nation's largest retailer, is aggressively scouting new store locations throughout Palm Beach County.


Wal-Mart Offers Plans for Dozens of Chicago Stores
The plan would let Wal-Mart expand into a large urban area at a time when its U.S. sales growth has been hot by a week economy


Retired Los Angeles Judge Will Hear Wal-Mart Distribution Case
A new judge has been assigned to oversee a lawsuit filed by a local group alleging the environmental review of its city's proposed Wal-Mart distribution center was faulty, according to a release from the city's attorney's office. 


Giant Eagle, Workers Reach Contract
A four-year agreement has been reached by Giant Eagle and Local 23 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. 


Kroger and United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 876
NOVI,Mich-- Associates of The Kroger Co. of Michigan, and affiliate of The Kroger Co. have ratified an agreement with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 876.


Union Ousted at Berkeley Bowl: What's Next?


Alaskan Workers Unite for Solidarity Summer Picnic
Anchorage hosted one of the largest labor gatherings in the state Sunday, the Solidarity Summer Picnic


Shareholder Action Strengthens Rite Aid Workers' Coalition
Rite Aid workers from Pennsylvania, New York and California gathered in Harrisburg, PA. on June 23, before the company's annual meeting to rally for good jobs and show support for the five year struggle by more than 550 employees to form a union at Rite Aid's massive distribution center in Lancaster, Calif. 


Companies Haul Beans for Annual Food Bank Olympics
The Food Bank for Westchester was able to prepare more than 17,000 pounds of pinto beans for pantries as the result of its second-annual Give Back Olympics.

Breaking News: New York Area Supermarkets Authorize Strike

New York Area Supermarkets Authorize Strike

News from UFCW Local 1500

New York Area Supermarket Workers Authorize Strike

Job Action against "Corporate Greed" to Affect Entire Region as 4th of July Weekend Approaches

QUEENS VILLAGE, NY (06/26/2010)(readMedia)-- Over 16,000 supermarket workers have sent a clear message to the three major supermarket chains that are seeking to "wage a campaign of corporate greed against both the workers and the public": We are prepared to strike you. United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW ) Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers Union, held meetings with employees of Stop and Shop Supermarket, King Kullen Markets and A&P/Pathmark on Wednesday and Friday of this week and received unanimous support to authorize a strike against the three companies. The job action will affect 150 supermarkets and 16,000 workers as well as millions of New Yorkers preparing for 4th of July celebrations.
"Stop and Shop and the other two supermarkets are examples of the widespread corporate greed New Yorkers read about every day in the newspaper," said Patrick Purcell, spokesperson for UFCW Local 1500. "Their irresponsible push to squeeze every penny they can from the pockets of workers and shoppers is coming to an end now. Our members are prepared to walk the line on behalf of not just themselves and their families but for every customer that has expressed anger over the business practices of Stop and Shop and the other two Supermarkets."

"Customers have been telling our members for weeks how tired they are of under staffed stores, empty shelves and long lines. They tell our members that they see how prices go up when cost such as fuel go up but that prices never go down when those cost go lower," said Purcell. "The customers have been victims of this greed and they can see that Stop and Shop and the other two companies are now going after the workers. The public is sick of corporate greed and so are our members. This fight will not just be about the workers but a statement on massive corporate greed against the general public," Purcell concluded.
Negotiators for Stop and Shop and the other supermarkets continue to seek reductions in the employees' health benefits and pensions while asking the workers to contribute more out of their paychecks for both. They are also seeking wage freezes, job elimination and refuse to give any new money for student scholarships. "I did not truly know what greed looked like until I sat across the table from Stop and Shop negotiators," said Greg Pasquale, a Stop and Shop employee from Poughkeepsie. "They have such little respect for their workers and their customers. All that matters to them is money and they seem to think they should have all it."

For consumers, the Union has sent up a web address that will lead them to public updates about the potential strike. The website is www.nysupermarkets.com.
United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 is based out of Queens Village and represents 23,000 grocery workers in the Metropolitan New York area.

For updates, continue to visit www.1union1voice.com or call the Contract Update Hotline:1-800-522-0456 ext.245

Last Two Week's Media Coverage:

• 
  

  Newsday: Supermarket union gives leaders power to call strike

  Supermarket union members at Stop & Shop and King Kullen Wednesday gave their leaders the power to call a strike as the expiration of their contract nears on Saturday. Officials of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 have been in negotiations with those stores and Pathmark since...
  
• 
  

  People's World: Supermarket Workers Fight to Bag a Fair Deal

  NEW YORK - With the clock ticking towards a June 26 contract deadline, thousands of unionized supermarket workers are negotiating in an attempt to avoid a strike, but their employers at Stop and Shop, King Kullen and Pathmark are refusing to budge. Their union, United Food and Commercial...
  
• 
  

  Workers Independent News: UFCW Could Strike 150 Supermarkets In Southern New York State

  UFCW Could Strike 150 Supermarkets In Southern New York State Southern New York State could be facing a grocery workers strike. Sixteen thousand workers represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 are holding strike authorization meetings today. Contracts for the...
  
• 
  

  Crain's NY: Supermarket Union Readies Strike Vote

  Supermarket union readies strike vote Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 could walk off their jobs at 150 New York area Pathmark, Stop & Shop and King Kullen locations before the July 4 holiday. By Daniel Massey Published: June 23, 2010 - 1:16 pm...
  
• 
  

  Fox New York: Grocery Workers Threaten Strike

  Grocery Store Workers Threaten To Strike Updated: Tuesday, 22 Jun 2010, 3:40 PM EDT Published : Tuesday, 22 Jun 2010, 3:40 PM EDT BY LUKE FUNK MYFOXNY.COM - 16,000 workers at local grocery stores are getting closer to a possible strike. The current contracts with Stop and Shop, King...
  
• 
  

  Poughkeepsie Journal: Union of grocery store workers seeks strike authorization

  The labor union representing about 1,000 workers at Stop & Shop in the mid-Hudson Valley has called on them to attend a strike authorization meeting Wednesday as the end of a four-year contract approaches. A strike authorization doesn't mean a strike. It gives the group's leaders the OK...
  
• 
  

  Bronx Times: Grocery Workers Call Federal Mediator

  United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW ) Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers Union, has called Federal Mediators into negotiations with the three major supermarkets in hopes of avoiding a crippling strike that would effect over 150 supermarkets and 16,000 workers....
  
• 
  

  Just-Food: US: Ahold, A&P face strike action in New York

  US supermarket's Stop and Shop, King Kullen Markets and A&P are facing the prospect of strikes in New York state.
  
• 
  

  SN: N.Y. Union Warns of Possible Strike

  The union representing 16,000 workers at supermarkets in the New York Metro area has begun a campaign to notify local officials and consumers of a potential strike as its contract with employers approaches a June 26 expiration date.
  
• 
  

  PG: As N.Y. Metro Strike Looms, UFCW Moves to Alert Public, Law Enforcement

  United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 1500, New York state's largest grocery workers' union, has begun notifying members of the public and local law enforcement of an impending strike that could affect over 150 Stop & Shop, King Kullen and A&P/Pathmark supermarkets and 16,000...
  

GROCERY UNION HEADS TO AIRWAVES TO FURTHER MESSAGE OF LOOMING STRIKE

GROCERY UNION HEADS TO AIRWAVES TO FURTHER MESSAGE OF LOOMING STRIKE

Union will Notify Millions of New Yorkers of Potential Strike over the July 4^th Weekend which would affect hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers

QUEENS VILLAGE, NY (06/23/2010)-- United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers’ Union, has purchased airtime on New York’s number one AM Radio  station (1010WINS) to notify millions of New Yorkers of an impending strike with Pathmark/A&P, Stop & Shop Supermarket and King Kullen Markets.  UFCW Local 1500 is currently negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the three companies, though little progress has been made through months of negotiating.  The strike would affect supermarkets on Long Island, the Five Boroughs, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties and may also possibly affect supermarkets in New Jersey and Connecticut. The contract expiration date is Saturday, June 26th.  Any potential job action will directly affect the 4th of July weekend for hundreds of thousands of customers.

Beginning on June 23^rd, UFCW Local 1500 will run Public Service Announcements on 1010WINS, during “Drive-Time”.  The announcements will air during both the morning and evening commutes.  “This is a serious situation,” said Pat Purcell, a spokesperson for UFCW Local 1500. “We feel that it is our responsibility to notify the public of the gravity of the situation.” UFCW Local 1500 began notifying the public and law enforcement agencies of the impending strike last week. The release informed customers that fulfillment of their 4^th of July grocery orders rests upon fragile and boiling labor negotiations. “Frankly speaking, Stop and Shop, King Kullen and Pathmark are playing with fire, and it’s their customers who will get burned.”
The looming strike would affect over 150 Supermarkets, 16,000 workers and hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. “The three companies have put their corporate greed in front of doing what’s right, both for their employees, and for their customers. As members of the communities they do business in, these companies have a responsibility to their customers, right now, they’re essentially gambling with their customers’ 4^th of July weekend plans.” Purcell concluded.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 will continue purchasing airtime and print media throughout the week to keep the Public informed of the looming strike. “We’ll continue to be honest with the public while Stop and Shop, King Kullen and Pathmark continue to avoid reality.” The Union has also set up a website which will notify the consumers with updates about the potential strike. The website is www.nysupermarkets.com.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 is based out of Queens Village and represents 23,000 grocery workers in the Metropolitan New York area