UFCW 132 - Strike in San Diego

[DK666]

The repugs are tearing the Union apart in the press. They are minimizing the contribution these union workers make to society. Meanwhile the corporate execs keep getting more pay.

http://www.ufcw7.com/researchdoc.htm


If they cannot weather the storm they will succede in breaking the unions back just like raygun did with the air traffic controlers.

Please do not cross the picket lines.

[Padraig18]

1. STRIKE!

"Solidarity forever, solidarity forever..." :thumbsup:

[revcarol]

2. Where can I get one of those "Union, yes" avatars?

We must all stick together or we will hang separately.(Misquoted from someone famous.)

[Sandpiper]

3. This is a backyard issue for me

So for any west coasters out there, or for anyone who lives where these stores are found. Do not patronize Vons, Albertsons, or Ralphs.

These companies operate 900 stores in SoCal, have seen a 91% increase in profits in the last five years and control 60% of the retail food market in California, yet, now that it's time to renegotiate, they're asking UFCW workers to take cuts in healthcare and retirement benefits.

Their excuse is the bogey man of Wal Mart. Don't be fooled. There are zero Wal Mart Super Centers in SoCal, and even if Wal Mart achieved its stated goal of having 40 super centers operating by 2007, it would account for only 1% of the California retail food market.

For facts and figures visit:

http://www.ufcw.org/press_room/index.cfm?pressReleaseID=47

[maveric]

6. When I drive by I honk my horn and display the clenched fist.

Its great that they are making sacrifices to stand up against the greedy corporations who are trying to strip them of benefits.

[DBoon]

7. Instead, go to

- Whole Foods or other health-foods type establishment
- Trader Joe's
- Any independent grocery stores by you
- For dry goods, consider Rite Aid or other drug stores.

Also be sure to honk and wave as you drive by pickets.

[rucky]

12. Do NOT go to Whole Foods

They're fighting hard against union organization, and contrary to their percieved "corporate culture" do NOT treat their employees any better than the rest of 'em. They're on a campaign to spread veiled threats and disinformation about unionizing...

more details at: www.wholeworkersunite.org

[Sandpiper]

13. Another good option

Is Food 4 Less. UFCW is recommending them.

[DK666]

19. Food 4 Less

pushed the repub canditates during the recall... My own boycott.

[zoidberg]

18. Any other source for the profit figure?

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=SWY&annual

For Safeway, neither revenues nor profits have been growing anywhere near 91% for the past three years. Can't find data for the past five years though. I'm sure it's out there though.

[maveric]

4. The TV news stations are putting a negative spin on the strike.

Channel 8 has been interviewing people on the street,asking them about how the strike is affecting them, and the only interviews they air are the scathing disdain for strikers variety. Peole saying that "They get paid enough", and "They should be happy that they even have a job", "They should respect their employer". Basically showing Union workers as greedy ingrates that just want MORE.
This is a repug town but the facist order has been creeping in more and more over the past 3 years.
I dont read the Union Trib anymore, but can imagine what they printed. Truly a RW rag.

[DK666]

8. Rick Roberts

Was railing on the strikers today he was portraying them as whiners and if they dont watch it they will be out of a job.

[maveric]

9. Rick Roberts is whining shithead!

Constantly whoring for the GOP/conservatives and corporations.

Dave Rickerts on KGB FM (clear channel)is also whoring it up.

[DK666]

11. I feel

like we are opressed by the right wing media always negative always pro-repug....

[frylock]

14. channel 8 in san diego?

KFMB in San Diego were pimpin non-stop for Governor Gangbang. Doesn't surprise me in the least that they would be bashing the union.

[DK666]

20. This is a dark time

for unions to be getting all "upity" with a repuke in office....


Fear these two words "Binding Arbitration"

[Sandpiper]

15. The Unions need to regain the upperhand with public

In this particular fight. They need to remind the people that the Unions represent regular people like you and me, while management only cares about improving their bottom line.

Labor needs to remind the people that they should be very suspicious of anyone who says that they're anti-Union, but a friend of the working class.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

5. "There is power in a Union"

http://www.ocap.ca/songs/powunion.html

There Is Power In A Union
by Billy Bragg

There is power in a factory, power in the land
Power in the hand of the worker
But it all amounts to nothing if together we don't stand
There is power in a Union

Now the lessons of the past were all learned with workers blood
The mistakes of the bosses we must pay for
From the cities and the farmlands to trenches full of mud
War has always been the bosses way, sir

The Union forever,defending our rights
Down with the blackleg,all workers unite
With our brothers and our sisters from many far-off lands
There is power in a Union

Now I long for the morning that they realise
Brutality and unjust laws cannot defeat us
But who'll defend the workers who cannot organise
When the bosses send their lackeys out to cheat us?

Money speaks for money,the Devil for his own
Who comes to speak for the skin and the bone?
What a comfort for the widow,a light to the child
There is power in a Union

The Union forever,defending our rights
Down with the blackleg,all workers unite
With our brothers and our sisters together we will stand
There is power in a Union

[SCDem]

10. How East Coasters or No-Coasters can Support UFCW

My mother supports the workers....But she lives on Catalina Island (26 miles off the coast of Long Beach). Anyway they only have 2 grocery stores on the island and one is a Vons and the other is a Vons express.... but I talked with her this morning and she said that all the people on the island are trying to support the workers. She said she hasn't gone there yet but she misses her yogurt.

I'm thinking of sending her a care package... I guess it would have to be non-perishables though. All of you who are on the East or no coast should do the same even though your friends or relatives probably don't live on an island. I think it will get the message through to people!!

[cosmicdot]

16. the Kroger family

Kroger Board of Directors

Each non-employee director currently is paid an annual retainer of $45,000 plus fees of $1,500 for each board meeting and $1,500 for each committee meeting attended. Committee chairs receive an additional annual retainer of $8,000.

Reuben V. Anderson
Mr. Anderson is a member, in the Jackson, Mississippi office, of Phelps Dunbar, a New Orleans law firm. Prior to joining this law firm, he was a justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi. Mr. Anderson is a director of Trustmark National Bank; BellSouth Corporation; Mississippi Chemical Corp.; and Burlington Resources Inc. He is chair of the Social Responsibility Committee and a member of the Audit Committee.


Richard K. Davidson
Mr. Davidson is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Union Pacific Corporation. He began his railroad career with the Missouri Pacific in 1960. Mr. Davidson joined Union Pacific Railroad in 1982 when it merged with the Missouri Pacific and the Western Pacific Railroads. He was promoted to Vice President – Operations in 1986 and Executive Vice President in 1989. Mr. Davidson was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Railroad in September 1991 and Chairman and CEO of the Corporation on January 1, 1997. He is a director of Grupo Ferroviario Mexicano. Mr. Davidson is a member of the Financial Policy Committee.


Clyde R. Moore
Mr. Moore is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Service Networks, a national provider of facility and maintenance repair services. Prior to that he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Thomas & Betts Corporation, a manufacturer of electrical and electronic components. He is a director of American Manufacturing, First Service Networks and Mayer Electric. Mr. Moore is a member of the Audit and Financial Policy Committees.


Joseph A. Pichler
Mr. Pichler is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Kroger. He is a director of Milacron Inc. and Federated Department Stores, Inc. Mr. Pichler is chair of the Executive Committee.


Steven R. Rogel
Mr. Rogel was elected Chairman of the Board of Weyerhaeuser Company in 1999 and has been President and Chief Executive Officer and a director thereof since December 1997. Before that time he was Chief Executive Officer, President and a director of Willamette Industries, Inc. Mr. Rogel served as Chief Operating Officer of Willamette Industries, Inc. until October 1995 and, before that time, as an executive and group vice president for more than five years. Mr. Rogel is a director of Weyerhaeuser Company and Union Pacific Corporation. He is vice chair of the Corporate Governance Committee and a member of the Executive and Financial Policy Committees.


Susan M. Phillips
Dr. Phillips is Dean and Professor of Finance at The George Washington University School of Business and Public Management, a position she has held since 1998. Previously, she was a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from December 1991 though June 1998. Before her Federal Reserve appointment, Dr. Phillips served as Vice President for Finance and University Services and Professor of Finance in The College of Business Administration at the University of Iowa from 1987 through 1991. She is a director of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Life Insurance Company, State Farm Foundation, State Street Research Mutual Funds, National Futures Association, Chicago Board Options Exchange, AACSB—International, and the Cantor Exchange.


Robert D. Beyer
Mr. Beyer is President of Trust Company of the West, an investment management firm, where he has been employed since 1995. From 1991 to 1995, he was the co-Chief Executive Officer of Crescent Capital Corporation, which was acquired by TCW in 1995. Mr. Beyer is also a member of the Board of Directors of Trust Company of the West, SG Asset Management, and American Restaurant Group, Inc. He is vice chair of the Financial Policy Committee and a member of the Social Responsibility Committee.


John T. LaMacchia
Mr. LaMacchia is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and a director of Tellme Networks, Inc., a provider of voice application networks. From October 1993 through February 1999, Mr. LaMacchia was President and Chief Executive Officer of Broadwing, Inc. (formerly Cincinnati Bell Inc.). From May 1999 to May 2000 he was Chief Executive Officer of CellNet Data Systems, Inc., a provider of wireless data communications. CellNet Data Systems, Inc. filed a voluntary petition for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in connection with the acquisition of the company’s assets and assumption of certain debts by Schlumberger Ltd. Mr. LaMacchia is a director of Tellme Networks, Inc. and Burlington Resources, Inc. He is chair of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Corporate Governance and Executive Committees.


Edward M. Liddy
Mr. Liddy is Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Allstate Corporation, the parent of Allstate Insurance Company, a personal lines insurance company. Prior to this, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Allstate Corporation from 1994-1998 and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sears, Roebuck and Co., where he held a variety of senior operating and financial positions since 1988. Mr. Liddy is a director of The Allstate Corporation and 3M Company. He is chair of the Financial Policy Committee and a member of the Corporate Governance Committee.


Katherine D. Ortega
Ms. Ortega served as an Alternate Representative of the United States to the 45th General Assembly of the United Nations in 1990-1991. Prior to that, she served as Treasurer of the United States. Ms. Ortega is a director of State Farm Bank, Rayonier Inc., Washington Mutual Investors Fund and JPMorgan Value Opportunities Fund, and Trustee of the American Funds Tax Exempt Series I. She is chair of the Audit Committee and vice chair of the Social Responsibility Committee.


Bobby S. Shackouls
Mr. Shackouls has been Chairman of the Board of Burlington Resources Inc., a natural resources business, since July 1997 and its President and Chief Executive Officer since December 1995. He has been a director of that company since 1995 and President and Chief Executive Officer of Burlington Resources Oil and Gas Company (formerly known as Meridian Oil Inc.), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Burlington Resources, since 1994. Mr. Shackouls is vice chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee.


John L. Clendenin
Mr. Clendenin is Chairman Emeritus of BellSouth Corporation, a holding company with subsidiaries in the telecommunications business. From January 1984 through December 1996 he was its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Clendenin is a director of Equifax Incorporated; Coca Cola Enterprises, Inc.; The Home Depot, Inc.; Powerwave Technologies, Inc.; and Acuity Brands, Inc. He is chair of the Corporate Governance Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee.


David B. Dillon
Mr. Dillon was elected President and Chief Operating Officer of Kroger in 2000. He served as President in 1999, and prior thereto as President and Chief Operating Officer since 1995. Mr. Dillon was elected Executive Vice President of Kroger in 1990 and President of Dillon Companies, Inc. in 1986. He is a director of Convergys Corporation. Mr. Dillon is a member of the Executive Committee.


David B. Lewis
Mr. Lewis has been Chairman of the Board and a Director of Lewis & Munday, a Detroit law firm, since 1972. He was also President and Chief Executive Officer of the firm from 1972 to 1982. He is a director of Comerica, Incorporated; Lewis & Thompson Agency, Inc.; and Lakefront Capital Advisors, Inc. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Audit and Social Responsibility Committees.


Thomas H. O’Leary
Mr. O’Leary is the retired Chairman of Burlington Resources Inc., a natural resources business. He is a member of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committees.

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/56873/000095010903003130/ddef14a.htm

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK



As of March 10, 2003, the directors of the Company, the named executive officers and the directors and executive officers as a group, beneficially owned shares of the Company’s common stock as follows:



Name
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership


Reuben V. Anderson
38,800
(1)

Robert D. Beyer
6,412
(2)

John L. Clendenin
38,800
(3)

Richard K. Davidson
2,000


David B. Dillon
1,281,354
(4)(5)(6)

Michael S. Heschel
317,967
(4)(6)

John T. LaMacchia
43,800
(1)

David B. Lewis
1,500


Edward M. Liddy
28,400
(7)

Don W. McGeorge
551,707
(4)(6)(8)

W. Rodney McMullen
713,180
(4)(6)

Clyde R. Moore
15,800
(3)

Thomas H. O’Leary
38,800
(1)

Katherine D. Ortega
41,156
(1)

Susan M. Phillips
0
(9)

Joseph A. Pichler
1,935,354
(4)(6)(10)

Steven R. Rogel
18,628
(2)

Bobby S. Shackouls
5,600
(2)

Directors and Executive Officers as a group (including those named above)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
7,911,673(4)(6)(11)(12)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) This amount includes 34,800 shares that represent options exercisable on or before May 9, 2003.


(2) This amount includes 3,600 shares that represent options exercisable on or before May 9, 2003.


(3) This amount includes 10,800 shares that represent options exercisable on or before May 9, 2003.


(4) This amount includes shares that represent options exercisable on or before May 9, 2003, in the following amounts: Mr. Dillon, 483,000; Mr. Heschel, 193,500; Mr. McGeorge, 316,500; Mr. McMullen, 368,000; Mr. Pichler, 788,000; and all directors and executive officers as a group, 4,264,132.

(5) This amount includes 223,600 shares owned by Mr. Dillon’s wife and children, and 54,024 shares in his children’s trust. Mr. Dillon disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

(6) The fractional interest resulting from allocations under Kroger’s defined contribution plans has been rounded to the nearest whole number.

(7) This amount includes 18,800 shares that represent options exercisable on or before May 9, 2003.


(8) This amount includes 10,063 shares owned by Mr. McGeorge’s wife. Mr. McGeorge disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

(9) Dr. Phillips was elected to the Board on April 10, 2003.


(10) This amount includes 32,425 shares owned by Mr. Pichler’s wife and children. Mr. Pichler disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

(11) The figure shown includes an aggregate of 36,475 additional shares held by, or for the benefit of, the immediate families or other relatives of all directors and executive officers as a group not listed above. In each case the director or executive officer disclaims beneficial ownership of those shares.


(12) No director or officer owned as much as 1% of the common stock of the Company. The directors and executive officers as a group beneficially owned 1% of the common stock of the Company.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
As of March 10, 2003, the following persons reported beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock based on reports on Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other reliable information as follows:

Name
Address of Beneficial Owner
Amount and Nature of Ownership
Percentage

The Kroger Co. Savings Plan
1014 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
67,578,622
(1)
8.9
%


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Shares beneficially owned by plan trustees for the benefit of participants in employee benefit plans.

[cosmicdot]

17. Safeway and Albertson's proxy statment links

Safeway
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/86144/000095014903000802/f88620def14a.htm#002

Albertson's
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/3333/000113388403000311/gdef14a-30993.txt