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Workers to deliver petition to Giant HQ

Union workers and local officials in Maryland and Virginia said this week that they would deliver signed petitions to Giant Food's Landover, Md. headquarters on Wednesday, urging that the retailer divest stores to operators that would honor existing labor contracts.

Jon Springer, Executive Editor

May 9, 2016

1 Min Read
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Union workers and local officials in Maryland and Virginia said this week that they would deliver signed petitions to Giant Food's Landover, Md., headquarters on Wednesday, urging that the retailer divest stores to operators that would honor existing labor contracts.

The workers, represented by United Food and Commercial Workers union, were informed earlier this year that six Giant stores in Fredericksburg, Va., could be among those sold as a condition of parent Ahold's forthcoming merger with Delhaize Group. Sources expect an announcement of stores to be sold shortly, although neither company, nor the Federal Trade Commission, has commented publicly on the timing or the number of stores to sold.

According to the union, the petition reads: "We intend to do whatever it takes to preserve our collective bargaining agreement —­ no matter who owns the stores or what brand they are operated under. We value the protection of our union contract — including allowing current employees to transfer to other locations in the event of a sale or merger. We call on you to respect our loyalty, dedication, and years of service to this company by preserving good jobs in our community."

About the Author

Jon Springer

Executive Editor

Jon Springer is executive editor of Winsight Grocery Business with responsibility for leading its digital news team. Jon has more than 20 years of experience covering consumer business and retail in New York, including more than 14 years at the Retail/Financial desk at Supermarket News. His previous experience includes covering consumer markets for KPMG’s Insiders; the U.S. beverage industry for Beverage Spectrum; and he was a Senior Editor covering commercial real estate and retail for the International Council of Shopping Centers. Jon began his career as a sports reporter and features editor for the Cecil Whig, a daily newspaper in Elkton, Md. Jon is also the author of two books on baseball. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English-Journalism from the University of Delaware. He lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. with his family.

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