Mornin' Read: Thursday April 28

John Castimatidis' Red Apple Group has submitted plans to develop in Coney Island. 500,000 square feet w/ 25,000 dedicated to retail.

ShopRite in New Dorp, Staten Island, keeps a dietitian on staff.


Working in These Times covers our new campaign to help the workers at Target.

New Yorkers gave Walmart CEO, Mike Duke, an NYC welcome, check the video here.  Crain's New York Business reported the protest also....

As the forum wound down, Mr. Murray, the Journal editor, said to Mr. Duke, “Mike, I hope you appreciate this rousing welcome to New York.”

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 Mid-Week News Briefs: A&P Looks for More Bonuses...

“We have pride in our company, but we just don't feel they have pride in us,” said Sonia Williams, of Jamaica, Queens, an overnight clerk at the Valley Stream store...-Crain's NY "Target Workers to vote for Union Representation"

Fairway revamps their online grocery store.  They've also selected a price optimization system.

A&P top Execs are now asking for bonuses up to $3.7 million in performance bonuses.... CEO Martin could earn up to $1.3 million, or 250% of his salary, for meeting the maximum performance goals over the seven-month period. Read is @ Supermarket News: A&P amends bonus plan.

Super shopping woes at Sheepshead Bay after Pathmark closed. 

The land developer @ Cherry Street Pathmark in lower Manhattan is asking the bankruptcy judge to lift the automatic stay in A&P's bankruptcy case.

There's a lot of speculation on the 25 pending SuperFresh stores that A&P is looking to sell.

A new iPhone app allows you to scan and pay for groceries at Stop & Shop.

Last week, Target workers along with UFCW Local 1500 filed for election.  Support and join the campaign to Change Target on Facebook.  You can also send letters of support to Target workers by emailing targetchangeny@gmail.com.

Walmart is testing their online Food Buying service.

There's still a mixed reaction to Walmart in NYC, ABC News.

Jamaica Plain Patch looks at Whole Foods' history with labor & unions.

And the Public doesn't want Medicare cut, but House Republicans aren't listening.

Target Change

Image via WikipediToday, Crain's NY Business reported the workers at Target in Valley Stream have filed for a union election.  You can follow and support the campaign on Facebook & Twitter @TargetChange, hashtag and follow campaign news with #targetchange or #nytarget

“We have pride in our company, but we just don't feel they have pride in us,” -Target Employee

The campaign is about changing the environment at a growing company which has essentially gotten a free pass.  The Walmart NYC battle has truly inspired workers at Target to fight for their own change. Check out the article @ Crain's and be sure to support the workers at Target who are fighting for change.  You can send them an email of support at targetchangeny@gmail.com.

Below is a message that Target workers have been forwarding to each other since they filed for election:

"Dear Team, We have submitted the relevant document to the department of labor of our intention for a union to represent us.  There is strength in unity, that is us."

Your messages of support to the workers at Target are greatly appreciated.

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!