SN, WHOLE HEALTH TO EXHIBIT AT FMI SHOW IN CHICAGO
SN and its sister publication, Whole Health, invite readers to visit their booth in the exhibit hall of the FMI Show in Chicago next week. The booth number is 1473.
TEAMSTERS END STRIKE AT LOUISVILLE KROGER WAREHOUSE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Warehouse workers and drivers at the warehouse facility serving Kroger Co.'s Mid-South division signed a new contract April 20, ending a two-day strike. The workers, represented by Teamsters Local 89 here, walked off the job displeased over negotiations with the warehouse's new owner, Zenith Logistics, and transportation manager, Transervice. Paul Verst, chief executive of Zenith, told SN that Kroger stores in the area got service via temporary workers in Louisville and from Zenith-operated Kroger warehouses in Indianapolis and Cincinnati. The new contract, which Verst described as “better than the one it had” with Kroger, lasts through 2013.
UNITED SUPERMARKETS JOINS TOPCO FOR PRIVATE LABEL
LUBBOCK, Texas — United Supermarkets here has become a member-owner of Topco Associates, Skokie, Ill. Topco aggregates the purchasing power of its retailer member-owners to procure a range of private-label products and services. “We look forward to working with Topco's outstanding procurement organization, which will enable us to continue our tradition of offering high levels of service while providing quality products at competitive prices,” said Dan Sanders, chief executive officer of United Supermarkets, in a statement. “Our growth and success are tied to our unwavering commitment to service, to our guests, team members and communities.”
CANADA SUPREME COURT DENIES WAL-MART BIAS APPEAL
REGINA, Saskatchewan — The Supreme Court of Canada here last week declined to hear Wal-Mart's charges of bias in the Saskatchewan Labor Board. Wal-Mart, Bentonville, Ark., was appealing a decision of two lower courts that ruled that the retailer's claims of Labor Board member bias against Wal-Mart lacked sufficient evidence. Those claims relate to the retailer's challenge of a union certification application for a Wal-Mart store in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers Canada.
CONGRESS AGREES ON TAX CUTS FOR MINIMUM WAGE BILL
WASHINGTON — Democratic leaders in the House and Senate said they have reached an agreement on a $4.8 billion package of tax cuts for small businesses that could help gain passage of a minimum-wage hike. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said they had reached a compromise between the $1.3 billion in tax cuts approved by the House and the $12 billion sought by the Senate. The bill was attached to the war spending bill, which is expected to be vetoed by President Bush, but it could be sent through again. The bill calls for raising the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over the next two years.
AG FINALIZES SALE-LEASEBACK ON SEATTLE WAREHOUSE
SEATTLE — Associated Grocers here said it has finalized its sale-leaseback agreement with Sabey Corp., two months after an agreement in principle was reached. According to John Runyan, AG president and chief executive officer, “This is a win-win for all involved and a big step for AG toward reaching our strategic objectives.” Under terms of the sale-leaseback, AG sold the 55.27-acre facility that houses its headquarters and distribution center to the real estate development and investment company for $91 million; it will be able lease back the property for up to four years.
