IBEW Local 2320

Methuen, Mass., March 7, 2010

By a vote of 228 to 8 the workers of the Shaw's Supermarket's Methuen Distribution Center voted overwhelmingly today to reject a final contract offer by Shaw's Supermarket's and voted to strike following the expiration of the current contract at midnight on March 6, 2010. All the workers are members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 791. The Methuen Distribution Center distributes perishable products to all Shaw's Supermarkets and Star Markets. A picket line was established at the Methuen facility early
Sunday afternoon.

"Unfortunately Shaw's has failed to offer a fair and equitable package to the workers in Methuen and gave the union members no other option but to exercise their right to strike because of Shaw's unjust and inequitable contract offer," said union spokesman Peter Derouen.

"The workers at the Shaw's perishable warehouse in Methuen perform physically exhausting work and take pride in working hard to ensure that Shaw's perishable food items are delivered in the freshest, safest and highest quality possible for Shaw's customers. Shaw's substandard wage offer coupled with its proposal for increases in employee health care contributions will result in the net loss of money for the workers during the term of the proposed contract. Local 791 is seeking a fair and equitable contract that preserves full time jobs and work rules and contains good wages and benefits," said Derouen.

"We regret the inconvenience of a strike, but the company has chosen this path, not the union. The goal of the union was and is to get a fair and equitable contract for our members," said Derouen. Local 791?s members from the Methuen warehouse will be establishing picket lines at the Methuen warehouse and at various non-union Shaw's and Star Markets stores. Local 791 members are asking the public to support their strike for fair wages and benefits by not patronizing the Shaw's and Star Markets stores where picket lines are set up.

Dear Union Brothers and Sisters:

I am writing this letter to inform you that our brothers and sisters at the Methuen Distribution Center are on strike.

A strike vote was taken Sunday, March 7, 2010.  The vote was 228 in favor of a strike and 8 opposed.  The strike vote was taken after 17 days of negotiations that started back in January.  It was clear from the beginning of those negotiations that the Company intended to force the workers at that facility to accept a contract with substandard wages and benefits.  The men and women at that facility decided that enough was enough and rejected the Company’s offer of an inferior contract.

The Union is ready at any time to get back together with the Company and continue negotiations for the Methuen facility.

I am asking all of you who are under contract either in the stores or in the Wells Distribution facility to support your brothers and sisters in Methuen during this strike.  Details on how you can help will be forthcoming.

Remember, united we stand, divided we beg.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Russell Regan, President

UFCW Local 791

Our new E-mail address set up specifically for your cost saving ideas is now operational. We have set up link on our website or you can email your idea directly to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it [To access the website link, you must be logged in].

Unit meetings scheduled for next week are:

This following safety reminder is brought to you from the N.H. safety coaches:

All techs working in the field must complete initial and ongoing voltage detector testing for any electrical potential hazard during the job. Have all Personal Protective Equipment in place according to our safety procedures. This is even more important during storm and storm recovery conditions.

Also, be aware of the safety practices of those companies with whom we are working side-by-side.  Be aware of the potential for conflicting safety practices and always adhere to the practices we utilize.  Regardless of the company, be it power, cable TV or tree maintenance; be especially conscious of your safety requirements.

If you have any safety concerns ask the question and do not hesitate to call the safety coaches Dave Coates (603) 703-9007 or John Murphy (603) 493-5393.

And remember to keep safety first and make it last!

Sponsored by Local 2320, IBEW

ELIGIBILITY:

• Children, stepchildren and grandchildren of Local 2320, IBEW, active members or retirees.
• One year of continuous good standing Union membership (satisfied by March 31, 2010 and retirees with Honorary Withdrawal Cards).
• Acceptance into an accredited college or university, community college or recognized technical or trade school at the time of the award. Graduate students are not eligible.
• Only one application will be accepted per individual.
• Scholarship application forms may be photocopied and will be accepted.

DEADLINE DATE:

• Application must be received at the Union Hall by the close of business on May 4, 2010 to be considered.
• IBEW, Local 2320, will not be able to advise applicants as to the status and/or receipt of their applications.
• Only winners will be notified in May of 2010.

AWARDS CRITERIA:

• Three (3) one-time scholarships in the total amount of $2,000 each will be allocated.
• Applicant must submit a typewritten, double-spaced essay describing career goals and aspirations. Describe your relationship with our Union and the labor movement and why you are deserving of an IBEW scholarship. Essay must be between 500-750 words. Do not send essays separately. Essays sent separately will not be considered.
• A union member verification form (enclosed) must accompany each scholarship application to be considered for submission.
• IBEW, Local 2320, Collette P. Lemay Memorial Scholarship Committee will determine the awards. Upon receipt of each scholarship application, the applicant’s name, union affiliation and union member will be separately indexed. Once completed, this information will then be obscured to assure complete impartiality by the Scholarship Committee.

Attachments:

Scholarship Application

[Scholarship application for 15th Annual Collette Lemay Memorial Scholarship]

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