Strikers March from Methuen to Boston to Win Justice at Shaw’s

By , on May 28th, 2010

Cross-posted from Labor Notes.

March for Justice at Shaw'sStriking workers at the Supervalu- owned Shaw’s Distribution Center in Methuen, Mass., have been marching from Methuen to Boston for justice since Sunday, May 23.

The 310 workers, members of UFCW Local 791, have been on strike since March 7 over the company’s insistence that the burden of increasing health care costs be borne by workers.

As a resident of Somerville, I chose to meet up with the strikers on their march from Medford to Somerville, the third day of their four-day journey. While we marched, the 50 or so workers and supporters enjoyed broad support from passing motorists, as well as cheers from many residents in the neighborhoods along the route.

It was easy to see how bringing the strike into the community gets people mobilized in different ways than just walking a picket line. All kinds of people get involved. I especially liked the opportunity to meet up with other labor activists from Somerville.

I also had a surprising connection with one of the strikers–Al Bowers, a former Teamster Local

Continue reading Strikers March from Methuen to Boston to Win Justice at Shaw’s

May 28th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , | Category: Campaigns, Unions | Comments are closed

Tell Supervalu to be good Parents! Support Striking Shaw’s Grocery Workers

By , on April 22nd, 2010

Supervalu, the parent company of New England grocery store chain Shaw’s, is behaving badly.  The 310 workers from Shaw’s Supermarkets Distribution Center in Methuen, MA, members of UFCW Local 791, have been on strike for almost 7 weeks.  Although Supervalu is the driving force behind negotiations, they refuse to take responsibility and come back to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith.  They claim that they are not responsible for their subsidiary Shaw’s.

Call and write Supervalu today to tell them to be good parents and settle the strike now!

  • Call Supervalu CEO Craig Herkert at (952) 828-4000 
  • Click here to send a fax to Supervalu.

    • Last month, union workers at Shaw’s distribution center voted to go out on strike after the company refused to return to the bargaining table.  Workers rejected a company proposal that would have increased employees’ health insurance payments, resulting in a net loss of pay. 

    To make matters worse, the company is threatening to permanently replace all striking workers, placing all the workers at the distribution center jobs in peril.  Shaw’s followed up its refusal to bargain with an announcement that they were going to Continue reading Tell Supervalu to be good Parents! Support Striking Shaw’s Grocery Workers

    April 22nd, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , | Category: Campaigns, Take Action, Unions | One comment - (Comments are closed)

    Mass JwJ Rallies Support for Striking Shaw’s Warehouse Workers

    By , on March 24th, 2010

    Over 200 labor and community supporters turned out for a rally in at the Shaw’s Supermarket in Dorchester to support striking warehouse workers at the company’s Methuen Distribution Center.

    Click to see more photos

    Over 300 members of UFCW Local 791 voted overwhelmingly to reject the company’s final contract offer and have now been on strike since March 7th.

    The company’s substandard wage proposals combined with its demand for increased employee health care contributions would result in a net loss of income for workers during the term of the proposed contract.

    The company’s final offer would also allow for the use of outside agencies to perform work at the facility, costing union jobs.

    In addition to Massachusetts Jobs with Justice, the rally was sponsored by UFCW Local 791, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and the Greater Boston Labor Council.

    Don’t shop at Shaw’s until it respects its workers and reaches an agreement that preserves good jobs with decent wages and benefits!

    You can keep up with what’s happening by joining the Facebook group “We support the Shaws Methuen Distribution Center“

    March 24th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , | Category: Campaigns, Unions | Comments are closed