Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2004 00:49:15 GMT From: "Working Families e-Activist Network" <peoplepower at aflcio.org> Subject: California Grocery Workers Settle Contract, Save Health Care
Dear Working Families e-Activist:
California grocery workers saved affordable health care benefits and beat back employer demands to freeze pension funds after holding strong on the picket line for five months. Over the weekend, some 59,000 members of the United Food and Commercial Workers voted in support of a new three-year contract with southern California grocery chains, including Safeway-owned Vons, Kroger-owned Ralphs and Albertsons. They could return to work as early as Wednesday.
This strike was marked by the heroism and commitment of these workers. In standing up for affordable health care, these workers put health care on the national agenda and sent a message to employers everywhere that attempts to eliminate health care benefits will come at a high price. The strike also raised the alarm for national health care reform.
The support and solidarity of millions of people across America was a big help to these striking workers. Members of this e-mail network and others made a big difference.
+ We didn't cross picket lines or shop at Safeway stores during the strike. Safeway reported a $700 million loss for the last part of 2003 because thousands of people didn't shop there. The strike is over. You can return to your favorite grocery store.
+ We took action. Activists sent thousands of faxed letters to Safeway CEO Steve Burd. And, hundreds of thousands of members of this e-mail network spread the word to their friends, family and co-workers.
+ We donated money to help the strikers. More than $250,000 was donated over the Web to help strikers deal with their everyday needs and especially hardship cases where somebody was sick or in special need.
This e-mail activist network is another example of the power that workers can create for each other when they come together to form and join unions. Even workers without a union at work are part of our movement through this e-mail network!
Thanks for all you did for these strikers! Look for more on health care, overtime pay and other issues in the coming weeks.
In Solidarity,
Working Families e-Activist Network, AFL-CIO March 1, 2004
P.S. Learn More
Check out the AFL-CIO website coverage of the grocery strike. http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/Ed1_1x51B18m/
Visit the United Food and Commercial Workers website. http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/E71_1x51B18E//
Read the statement by UFCW President Douglas Dority on the new agreement. http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/Ep1_1x51B18U/
Read the statement by AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney on the new contract. http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/E11_1x51B18j/
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