Safeway Merger Underlines Importance of Union
Monday, March 10, 2014
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Friday’s announcement
of the merger of Albertson’s and Safeway was a reminder of the importance of
being a union member. “In our Union contract, we have language that requires
any purchaser to agree to take our contract and all its benefits and to hire
all of the current employees and recognize their seniority for all purposes,”
said Mark Federici, president of UFCW Local 400, which represents area Safeway
workers. Federici noted that while Giant – whose workers are also
represented by Local 400 -- has changed hands several times over the last 20
years, “Giant employees have always maintained their contract and no
employees
lost their jobs because Giant has the very same language that Safeway does.”
“Without our Union, employees would be nothing but an afterthought in this
deal,” said Federici. “With our Union, our solidarity, and our strong
contract
language, we are an important player and have the means to preserve our wages
and benefits, and our jobs.” photo: Giant and Safeway ratified their 3-year
contract agreement by standing vote at the D.C. Armory on Dec 17, 2013. photo
by Bill Burke/Page One