AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JOHN T. NICCOLLAI - 10-1-2020

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JOHN T. NICCOLLAI

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

President Niccollai reported today that the fourth negotiating session was held involving ShopRite, Stop & Shop, and Foodtown via Zoom this morning.  Kings again failed to participate in the meeting, and it appears that we will be negotiating with whoever is the successful bidder through the Bankruptcy Court.    

President Niccollai spent approximately two hours with an in-depth discussion of our proposals.  The Companies responded with their position as we preceded from one of our contract demands to another.  The Companies have not backed off any of their counter-proposals and is still looking for both full-time and part-time medical co-pay, and a restructure of the Medical Plan to eliminate a large percentage of part-time employees.

President Niccollai emphatically stated that the issue of “hazard pay” is still on the table, notwithstanding a proposed settlement of this issue through our International involving other Local Unions.  As previously stated the issue of “hazard pay” is also in arbitration as well as involved in these negotiations.  We project that the issue of “hazard pay” will be resolved in one forum or another and no member will suffer any economic loss because of our course of action.

The meeting was concluded with an understanding between the Union Negotiating Committee and the Employers that in order to reach a settlement, the Negotiating Committee needs to receive an initial offer from the Companies.  In addition, the Negotiating Committee and the Companies agreed that our Actuaries and Accountants must immediately commence work in reviewing cost projections for health care and pension going forward.

A future meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2020, at which point we anticipate that the Companies will present us with their initial contract offer.

All our Brothers and Sisters affected by these negotiations should understand that initial progress moves slowly, but we are now getting to a point where we must begin to witness greater progress in order to see these negotiations successfully concluded.  There are many difficult and costly issues that both sides are endeavoring to resolve.  Our Contract Committee is standing strong and working well on behalf of the membership.  Without a doubt, the Committee and the Companies understand the problems of each respective side.  The paramount issue now is the ability to resolve those differences and structure a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

We will continue to post updates on our website as the negotiations progress.

WORK SMARTLY – WORK SAFELY