Shaw's Workers Prepare for Contract Ratification or Strike Vote

 

Shaw's Workers Prepare for Contract Ratification or Strike Vote

 

Workers at Shaw's supermarkets throughout New England and at a Shaw's distribution center in Wells, Maine will vote on Sunday August 3rd whether to ratify the company's latest contract offer or to call a strike. Shaw's workers are represented by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 791. Local 791's negotiating committee met with the company on July 30th to continue negotiating vital sections in the union contract. The main focus of these talks includes economic related issues like wages, pensions, and health insurance.

 

Shaw's contract offers have proposed to reduce healthcare benefits while increasing the employee contribution rate, eliminate the defined pension plan, significantly reduce vacation time and sick days for new hires, and require that the employee pay $50 if a spouse on the plan has access to health insurance. These are substandard proposals that reflect a lack of concern and respect for the contributions of their hard working employees.

 

Local 791 President Russell Regan has assured workers that the "negotiating committee is working hard and is focused on reaching the best possible agreement." They will continue to work tirelessly on these tough issues right up to the expiration of their current contract on August 2nd. If no agreement is reached a vote on whether to call for a strike is scheduled for the following day.

 

The Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Rhode Island AFL-CIO, Maine AFL-CIO, other local unions, community groups, and Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry have all expressed their support for Shaw's workers and urged the company to reach a fair agreement with their employees. President Regan is greatly appreciative of all the support and encouragement that he's received during these important negotiations and is calling for continued unity in order to reach their ultimate goal of "a fair contract for all of the members."

 

Please show your solidarity by sending a letter in support of Shaw's workers. You can easily send a letter by clicking here.