By
rand wilson, on May 28th, 2010
Cross-posted from Labor Notes.
Striking 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
Continue reading Strikers March from Methuen to Boston to Win Justice at Shaw’s
By
jwjnational, 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 lay off 4% of the workers
Continue reading Tell Supervalu to be good Parents! Support Striking Shaw’s Grocery Workers
