Local UFCW Members Support Strikers In Massachusetts

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Workers at area Shoppers Food & Pharmacy stores are supporting a strike by fellow union members in Methuen, Massachusetts. Three hundred members of UFCW Local 791 who work at the Supervalu-owned Shaw's Distribution Center in Methuen were forced to strike on March 7 to protect their jobs and affordable health care for their families. Shoppers is a subsidiary of Supervalu, and the metro-area members of UFCW 400 are supporting the Methuen strike by wearing stickers at work and engaging customers and managers to urge Supervalu to sit down at the bargaining table for a quick and fair resolution. “Supervalu is getting the message that we are one union, speaking with one voice,” said Tom McNutt, President of Local 400, which represents 37,000 members in Virginia, Maryland, DC, West Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky. “Our members work for a different subsidiary than the Shaw’s workers, but they are willing to take a stand to support their struggle. It’s time for Supervalu to get Shaw’s back to the table and negotiate a fair settlement.” Click here for a flyer you can print out and take to your local Shoppers store manager to let them know you support the Methuen strikers too. - report/photo by Marc Goumbri