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This notice is in response to the overwhelming number of calls and inquiries pouring in to Local 1546 from concerned Dominick’s members offering to help in the Jewel situation. Be assured that our Jewel members (Meat/Fish/Deli) appreciate your clear show of support and unity. Local 1546 salutes your courage, loyalty and willingness to stand up to DEFEND your union brothers and sisters at Jewel! In unity, there is strength.
In call after call to Local 1546, Dominick’s members express shock at the dismal proposal made by Jewel (Albertson’s) to the union’s bargaining team on May 14, 2004—particularly since Jewel has 44% of this area’s retail food market share. They also say they are appalled at Jewel’s THREAT (as posted on its web site) to WITHDRAW retro-pay if Jewel members REFUSE to accept its proposal “as is.” Why, they ask, does Jewel want to push an inferior contract on its current workers AND also do away with any hope of health insurance for new hires? These are tough questions that Jewel will not answer.
The truth is, throughout our 27 bargaining sessions, Local 1546 presented Jewel with a wide variety of reasonable changes to the contract. Your union suggested practical ideas to reduce some costs, and to alter the contract in other ways…but Jewel would not hear of it. In fact, as we stated in our previous web site update, Jewel threw its so-called “last, best and final” offer on the table BEFORE a number of issues had even been discussed!
Member Mobilization: Local 1546 Volunteers Are Preparing to Get Active!
Our Dominick’s members have told us LOUD AND CLEAR that they will do “whatever it takes” to help our Jewel members. Our members will not sit back and do nothing while companies like Albertson’s and Safeway use shameless tactics to try to destroy good union jobs in the retail food industry. That’s why Local 1546 is already working up plans for the UNION MEMBER MOBILIZATION PROJECT to link Dominick’s members to the locations and tasks to be done if Jewel fails to significantly improve its contract offer.
All Local 1546 Union Reps are compiling lists of names from the many members who’ve contacted us to volunteer. You may be called for picketing duty, phone banking, leafleting, mass mailings, community outreach, rallies and more. You’ll be placed where you’ll be most effective; you may receive several assignments throughout this campaign.
To the large number of Dominick’s members who have already called in to lend a hand, we urge you to remain prepared and “ON ALERT.” You will be contacted at the appropriate time, and your involvement will be valued and appreciated. All other members wanting to participate and show support for Jewel members can phone our suburban office (toll-free) at 800-592-3508 or the Main office at 312-733-2999.
We will keep you informed of new developments as they occur. Again, THANK YOU.