President's Message

KINGS & ACME ESTABLISHING A “THANK YOU BONUS”

As our Brothers and Sisters know, your Union is in constant communication with our Employers concerning any program for additional pay as the COVID-19 Pandemic continues and we work in more demanding and threatening conditions.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ARE PROVIDING FREE COVID-19 TESTS

 

 

President Niccollai reported today that there are several sources from which individuals can obtain free COVID-19 tests.  Late yesterday afternoon, both the United States Government and the Unites States Postal Service put up websites through which those seeking at-home tests could have them mailed to their residence.

 

The sites are as follows:

 

SUPREME COURT BLOCKS VAX OR TEST BIDEN MANDATE FOR ALL BUT HEALTH CARE WORKERS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2022

HEALTH INSURANCE WILL REIMBURSE FOR AT-HOME COVID TESTS

President Niccollai announced today, on behalf of the Union Reimbursement Medical Plan, that there will be a modification to cover the cost of At-Home COVID Tests for members and their eligible dependents under a program requiring the submission of a claim form, accompanied by a receipt acknowledging proof of purchase.

UPDATE ON COVID TESTING FOR NON-VACCINATED MEMBERS

As we get closer to the February 9, 2022 deadline for employees either being vaccinated or tested, we continue negotiations with our Employers.   Obviously, as we stated in our previous posting of December 30, 2021 we are vehemently opposed to the cost of the tests being paid by the employee.

THURSDAY - DECMEBER 23, 2021

As we regress over the past year, many of us view it as “A Trip to Hell and Back Again”. First the Omega variant of Covid-19 and now the Omicron variant, but these are not the thoughts we should be having during this holiday season.  We should count our blessings and all the things for which we are thankful for like:

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JOHN T. NICCOLLAI : FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021

FINAST MEMBERS ATTAIN INDUSTRY CONTRACT

INCLUDING NO CO-PAY MEDICAL

President Niccollai reported today that the Finast Negotiations were extremely difficult but because of our unshakeable Membership support, we prevailed in all areas.

SALE OF PERLMART STORES TO SAKER SHOPRITE

Your Local Union continues to work diligently to assure all our Brothers and Sisters that the transition of the Perlmart Stores to Saker ShopRite ownership will be smooth and painless.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JOHN T. NICCOLLAI   : The General Membership Meeting for Tuesday, December 14, 2021 will be held telephonically at 7:00 P.M.  Members who wish to participate should contact JoAnn Piscitelli at 973-256-6790 in order to verify membership and obtain access instructions for participating. 

RATIFICATION VOTE – FINAST CONTRACT

 

 

President Niccollai reported today that the Ballots were tabulated regarding the Ratification Vote of the Company’s Final Offer for our Finast Brothers and Sisters.

 

We are pleased to report the results as follows:

 

YES VOTES – 263

VOTES TO STRIKE – 2

NO VOTE – 1

 

FINAST CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

President Niccollai reported that after a long session of contentious negotiations and some progress, there are still monumental problems that remain unresolved in our negotiations.  Your Committee has emphatically impressed upon the Company the fact that we expect the Industry Contract, including no co-pay for part-time or full-time Medical.  The Company has indicated that they have taken the position that with other Locals paying a portion of their Health Care they can no longer absorb the total cost. 

The Annual Shop Stewards Seminar will be held on Tuesday, October 19, 2021.  In order to safeguard the well-being of our Shop Stewards, the event will be held in a large outdoor tent in the parking lot of The Brownstone, 351 West Broadway, Paterson, NJ 07522.  We will be observing social distancing and participants may or may not wear masks, since it will be outdoors, depending on individual comfort levels.   The program will include lectures and informational discussions.  The purpose of the Seminar is to train Shop Stewards to be more effective in resolving proble