Supervalu squeezes life from Acme Workers - We Can Help

Written by: Tom Alba on Jul 14, 2009 4:56 PM EDT

Linked to groups: PA for Democracy, Upper Bucks for Democracy, PA Single Payer Healthcare Action Committee, Lower Bucks for Democracy, Northeast Philadelphia for Democracy

Supervalu, the parent of Acme, wants to disenfranchise the workers, members of  The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776.

I've seen this before,  as an active member of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) for 35 years (Retired Member status since 2002 and an associate member of the United Steel Workers (USW) since 2007).  After acquisitions, corporations become hostile and ruthless to increase their short term bottom line, but do not see the value of experienced workers, nor do they respect them as human beings.

Supervalu purchased Acme from Albertsons (now the "New Albertsons") in January 2006 and inherited the Union contract, which they obviously do not appreciate.

The contract expired in February, 2008 and since that time, the workers have been operating on an extension, while the Union has continued negotiatons.

Recent events have been ugly.  On June 9th, Acme issued an utimatum: This is our final, best offer.  Take it or leave it.  We will unilaterally terminate the contract on July 10th.

Acme workers didn't buy it.  The offer imposed serious setbacks and losses.  On June 24th, 95 percent rejected the ultimatum at a meeting in Philadelphia's Spectrum, attended by over 3,000 members.

Local 1776 said that as recently as a week ago, the union made a comprehensive offer to settle the contract. The company did not counter, but instead insisted that the members of Local 1776 take another vote on its ultimatum.  Apparently, Acme wants a vote outcome that suits their needs.

The outpouring of support has been quite impressive.  Our U.S Senators, Representatives at Federal and State levels, Labor Organizations, Community Organizations and everyday consumers have written to the Acme headquarters in Malvern, PA to express their views.  A sample of letters is at http://www.1776contractfacts.org/Support.html.   Use one to gather some thoughts for your own letter (this is how we can help).

The media has been on top of this story.  The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on the June 24th meeting and the July 10th follow up.

My PHL17 has a TV news segment.  Fox Philly 29 TV also did one.

The UFCW Local 1776 took out a full page ad in The Inquirer on June 26th.  (Local 1776 has a special site for contract news.)

Other coverage has come from The Global Report with a story in its  July 14th edition and another in its July 7th edition.  The Progressive Grocer did a story on July 9th.

Local 1776 has instructed its members to continue working and has a meeting scheduled for July 15th.  Some news sources have implied that Acme could implement a lockout.

Acme's game plan is in the union buster's guide.  UFCW Local 152, from Hammonton, representing almost 1900 workers in South Jersey, is also at an impasse since it contract expired in May.

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