Walmart's Ripple Effect Hits Brentwood Giant
Monday, October 7, 2013(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
Pre-packaged meat at the Brentwood Giant could be a
sign of
the ripple effect of Walmart’s arrival in the District, say local activists.
“Pre-packaged meat means getting rid of meat cutters, some of the most highly
skilled and highly-paid grocery store workers,” says Mike Wilson of Respect
DC,
noting that Walmart got rid of all of its meat cutters in 2000 after meat
cutters at one store voted to form a union. Giant’s attempt to follow suit
means that “despite the promises of our elected officials, DC residents are
already facing less access to fresh food -- in this case, freshly cut meat --
and fewer jobs,” Wilson says. Respect DC turned out at the Brentwood Giant
(photo) last Saturday “to inform customers about what is happening at their
store and let Giant know that we want good jobs and fresh cut meat!” said
Wilson. "Giant should not mess with the integrity of the meat program that
has been in place all these years,” said Calvin Parker, a Meat Cutter at
Giant
for 17 years. “Freshness and customer service has been the back-bone of the
program and now with the threat of eliminating meat cutter jobs,Giant may not
have either." photo by Karlyn
Williams/UFCW 400