Unified Letter Seeks to Reassure Employees

LOS ANGELES — Unified Grocers, the retailer-owned cooperative here, sent a letter to the homes of all its employees late last week emphasizing the company’s commitment to helping its administrative staff deal with the uncertainties of the economy.

In the letter, Al Plamann, president and chief executive officer, reassured employees that the company is in “a very strong financial position,” with solid bank financing and access to additional capital if needed. However, he asked all employees “to put extra energy into developing and implementing ideas that can help us reduce expenses and keep our cost structure at a level that enables successful business operations … to [help] weather the conditions we now face and survive those that are yet to come.”

To reduce stress levels that may occur off the job, Plamann said Unified’s employee assistance program, which has existed for years, is available 24 hours a day to help employees or family members who need “advice or support on a wide range of everyday issues.” He also said the company’s human resources department plans to conduct meetings to help employees deal with stress and tension.

Read More of Today's Headlines