Reader's Voice: Developing Dispute At Giant

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

“I read your comment about the rumored dispute at Giant in today’s issue (Reader’s Voice: No Giant Boycott 4/15),” writes Gary Witlen of the Teamsters. “While you accurately reported that the UFCW does not have an active dispute with Giant, you should be aware of the developing dispute with the Teamsters local unions that represent warehouse workers and drivers, as a result of Giant’s decision to subcontract work to C&S Wholesale, a warehouse management firm out of Vermont.  This has raised the prospect of unionized warehouses being closed in Maryland and the work transferred to non-union facilities in York, PA.  All of this is expected to come to a head when the major Teamsters contracts expire on May 14.  While no boycott has been called to date, there have been and will be leafleting activities at Giant stores to notify the general public about the impending dispute.”
Peapod by Giant -- the home delivery arm of Giant -- plans to lay off 120 employees -- members of Teamsters 639 -- in Montgomery County effective May 31, according to a report in the Washington Business Journal last week. See also our 3/31 report: Grocery Workers Rally To Save Good Jobs In DC.  - photo: at the March 30 rally; photo by Adam Wright