Grocery workers kick off contract campaign (security is a union contract)

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_4698

By Barb Kucera, Workday editor
2 December 2010

ST. PAUL - Contract talks are more than a month away, but east metro grocery workers sent a strong message Thursday about maintaining good wages, health care and retirement security.

Some 5,000 members of United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1189 start negotiations Jan. 11 with the Cub, Festival, Jerry’s Foods, Kowalski, Lunds/Byerlys and Rainbow grocers in the St. Paul area.

Members and supporters kicked off their campaign with a rally at the Rondo Community Library, then held up signs at the intersection of Dale St. and University Ave. Drivers honked their car horns as workers held up signs that read, “Affordable health care for all” and “Security is a union contract.”

“Our goal in these negotiations will be one of crafting an agreement that delivers good wages, affordable healthcare and pensions along with the ability for the grocers not only to retain market share but to grow in a competitive market,” said Don Seaquist, president of Local 1189.

At the rally, he introduced more than 30 members of the negotiating committee – the largest group in the union’s history.



FULL story at link.