Stop Albertsons Now

[gnarlydorkette]

Their Press Release at their website, StopAlbertsonsNow.org

For Immediate Release


One year after Southern California’s devastating 141-day grocery strike, Albertsons Supermarket pulls off backroom deal with their wholly owned subsidiary to get rid of union workers. Press Conference & Protest to be held Thursday, July 7, 2005.

Los Angeles, CA – The 1.7 million strong United Food & Commercial Workers will hold a Press Conference & Rally to protest the sale & closure of one of Albertsons’ largest and highest grossing Supermarkets to non-union Bristol Farms – their wholly owned subsidiary. The price of the sale is being kept secret and there were no other bidders allowed.

More “sales” of Albertsons’ best stores, without considering other buyers besides non-union Bristol Farms, are expected in the coming months.

The Press Conference will be held at Albertsons Supermarket #6161 located at the corner of Lincoln Blvd. and Manchester Blvd. in Westchester, which is in West Los Angeles just north of LAX. The Press conference will start at 4PM. A protest/rally will follow. The store will close its doors for the last time at 6PM, Thursday, July 7, 2005.

The store closing will displace over 50 Albertsons employees.

Speaking at the Press Conference will be the International President of the UFCW, Joseph Hansen; Los Angeles City Councilman Martin Ludlow, who has been named the Secretary Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, and Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl.

Several of the fired employees will also speak. Some of them have been employed at this store since 1979.

“Albertsons is the most anti-union employer we have to deal with in Southern California,” said Hansen. “This is just another example of how far Albertsons will go to keep from paying fair wages, healthcare, and pensions.”

“The economics of this sale are simple,” chided Martin Ludlow, “If this store wasn’t worth keeping, non-union Bristol Farms never would have purchased it. This is nothing but an ill-willed effort by Albertsons to break their contract with their employees by using blue smoke and mirrors. Albertsons just doesn’t care who they hurt in the process of fulfilling their greed.”

“For all the public knows, Albertsons sold this store for one dollar,” declared Hansen. “This act of double-dealing will not stand. We are going to do everything possible to stop Albertsons. Nothing will keep us from getting these people their jobs back. And just like the recent grocery strike, we are going to win this fight with the help of the citizens of Southern California.”


Thursday, July 7 at 4PM

Press Conference/Protest
Albertsons Supermarket
8448 Lincoln Blvd. at the corner of Manchester
Westchester, CA


Contact:
Rick Eiden
800/244-8329 ext. 224

I found this out through a TV commerical I caught on a local network. I don't know what to say about this since I am a frequent shopper at Albertsons second to Trader Joe's (since it opens longer and is closer to my home compared to TJs so Albertsons has served as my midnight run for groceries.)
My husband said: "Guess it is time for you to switch over Vons!" Ugh.
We did suffer big time when the grocery stike occured (for Vons, Albertsons and Ralphs!!!) and we ended up venturing out to FARAWAY stores like Costco and Smart&Final to show our support for the unions. Hope this won't be a second round...

 

[Liza]

Sometimes integrity has a high price, eh? :P
Perhaps you could ask the local union about that store... that way you get confirmed info before shopping at other places?

 

[apathrev]

Although I'm not sure of any such strike or anything, I'm surprised to see Ralph's mentioned. When I worked for Kroger, head company of Ralph's, the union and management worked very closely and had what I'd consider an exemplary relationship of how companies and labor unions should work together.