AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JOHN T. NICCOLLAI - FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021

POSITIVE PROGRESS ON KINGS AND ACME

CONTRACT RAISES AND RETRO PAY

President Niccollai reported today that as everyone is aware, your Union has been in constant contact with every possible source in order to get our contract raises and retro pay money from Kings Supermarkets and ACME Markets.  Apparently our efforts are now turning out to be successful and the wage raises may hit in as early as the first or second week in July; the retro pay should follow shortly thereafter.

I have personally had numerous and extensive meetings and conversations with Dan Dosenbach and Joan Williams who represent the Companies.  Your Local Union has also formed a Coalition with all other Locals who negotiated contracts in order to apply joint pressure.  In addition, we have contacted our International Union and they have demanded that this matter be immediately resolved.  Furthermore, we have threatened the Companies with arbitrations including sanctions.  After having done all of the above, we are now finally seeing plans to resolve these issues being implemented.

Some of our Brothers and Sisters question why this has taken so long and I view that as a good question.  Part of the answer relates to the following:

Both Kings and ACME are Companies recently acquired through bankruptcy.  Much of the former staff members and systems are either unavailable or not suitable for the new operators who are developing their own programs and systems from their Phoenix, Arizona location.

Another important factor to remember concerning our Kings Brothers and Sisters is the fact that our retro wage payments will go back to the October 31, 2020 previous contract expiration date and not the February 21, 2021 takeover date.  This is a monumental, economic advantage for all our Kings members and one your Union fought hard to obtain.

Although it now appears that the problem with contract raises and retro pay is being solved, your Union will not back off until we have received those payments for both Kings and ACME.  We truly deserve this money, especially in light of our extraordinary efforts during this Pandemic on behalf of our Employers.  Please remember to include your families in any plans for this money, as they have also been affected by the Pandemic.

In conclusion, we wish to thank Kings and ACME members for their patience and support which made these results possible.

WORK SMARTLY – WORK SAFELY!!