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Union Asks for Help With A&P

NEW YORK United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 here said it sent letters to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn seeking to avert the closure of A&P stores in the city. The 58 stores operate under the Pathmark, Waldbaums and Food Emporium banners and employ about 6,500 workers. A&P, which operates about 395 stores in several states, filed for

NEW YORK — United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 here said it sent letters to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn seeking to avert the closure of A&P stores in the city.

The 58 stores operate under the Pathmark, Waldbaums and Food Emporium banners and employ about 6,500 workers. A&P, which operates about 395 stores in several states, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Dec. 6, but it has not yet disclosed any specific plans for store closures.

UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce W. Both asked for a meeting to discuss the “tremendous negative effects on the economy of New York City” should there be store closings or layoffs.

“The food desert crisis that this city currently faces would reach unimaginable levels without these 58 stores,” he added. “These 58 stores provide neighborhoods throughout New York City the essential building blocks for economic security: good food, good jobs and good health.”

A&P's primary supplier, C&S Wholesale Grocers, also said the chain's bankruptcy could impact jobs at the Keene, N.H.-based distributor.

C&S filed a notice with the New Jersey Department of Labor that its Woodbridge Logistics subsidiary could close all six of its warehouses in New Jersey serving A&P and Pathmark, according to reports. The notice warned that 1,114 workers could be laid off, effective Feb. 6, the Newark Star-Ledger reported. A&P filed bankruptcy this month, citing its distribution contract with C&S as an obstacle to obtaining new financing before the filing.

The facilities are located New Brunswick, North Brunswick, Dayton and Woodbridge (three locations).

C&S could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, A&P, which rejected 73 dark store leases upon its filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, has asked the bankruptcy court in While Plains, N.Y., for permission to reject leases for another 25 properties — all former stores since subleased to other tenants.

The retailer in court papers said income from tenants at those properties in most cases falls short of its rent obligations, and that rejecting the leases would save the company $8.6 million in 2011.

Most of the properties are former Farmer Jack stores in Michigan, with several since subleased to Spartan Stores' Family Fare chain.
Additional reporting by Jon Springer