Congratulations to our Stop & Shop membership. The tentative agreement was overwhelmingly accepted this morning in Bridgeport , Ct. The contract highlights will be mailed out as soon as possible.

Thank you for your continued support.

In Solidarity,

 Brian A. Petronella

As of 6:15 this evening, Friday, March 9th, there has been NO PROGRESS with any of the five local unions and Stop & Shop regarding your contract.  Your employer has a philosophy that you should not have any improvements in your pay, pension and health insurance.  On Saturday, representatives of Local 371 will be visiting your stores.  The company needs to know that you WILL STRIKE if you have to.  Let your store manager know, let the customers know, and all of your brothers and sisters in the stores know that you want a fair contract and if necessary you will strike on Sunday, March 11th. 

In Solidarity,

I am

Brian A. Petronella
International Vice President
President, UFCW 371

This morning at 9:30 AM, Stop & Shop presented all five of the Local Unions a response to the proposals given to them on Saturday, March 3rd.  The company made some progress on funding our pension funds, and there was a small change in the wage offer, as well as some changes in the health and welfare proposal. However, the major issues that will either present a job action or ratify a new agreement still exist.  Wages need to go up, pension needs to be improved upon, and health & welfare issues have to be resolved

Negotiations are continuing through the night and are scheduled for tomorrow as well.   Stay strong and stay united, as this is what gives us our strength at the bargaining table. 

This is a reminder that our meeting is scheduled for 9:00 AM on Sunday, March 11, 2007 at the Klein Auditorium located at 910 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport.  Don’t forget to change your clocks!

In Solidarity,

Brian

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we continue to go down this very difficult road, it is obvious that it is necessary for us to put a deadline in place that will bring these negotiations to a final conclusion.

Today, the five local unions have given the company a very complicated and comprehensive contract proposal that covers every aspect of our five agreements and identifies what we believe to be a fair and equitable contract for everyone. All five locals have secured locations for meetings with the membership next Sunday, March 11th. These meetings will not be informational meetings. These will be meetings where our members will be voting on a contract proposal to either accept or to reject and to strike.

We realize how serious these decisions are for you and your families and we are doing everything in our power to give this company the opportunity to do the right thing. Stop & Shop has only been successful as a result of your hard work and dedication. We are not requesting anything other than what you not only deserve, but have earned.

The company has said that they will go through our proposals very carefully and they will get back to us on Thursday of next week, and we hope that they will return with a package that will allow us to settle these negotiations in a positive manner. Negotiations will resume on Thursday, March 8, 2007.

Your strength and solidarity is what will give us the opportunity to be successful. So stay united and stay strong.

In Solidarity,

Brian, Mark, Rick, Scott, and Dave

Presidents, UFCW Locals 371, 919, 1445, 1549, and 328

The Local 371 Contract Ratification Meeting will be held on Sunday, March 11th, at the Klein Auditorium in Bridgeport CT. The address is 910 Fairfield Avenue. The meeting will start promptly at 9:00 AM. The purpose of the meeting will be to report on contract negotiations, vote to accept or reject proposed contract, and if the contract is rejected, to take a strike vote. See driving directions below:

Directions to the Klein Memorial Auditorium:

From I-95 NORTH

Take I-95 North to Exit 27A (25/8 Connector).

Take immediate exit (Exit 2-Golden Hill Street) and bear right off ramp.

At bottom of hill at light take a right.

Take left at third light (Iranistan Ave) to free parking.

FROM I-95 SOUTH

Take I-95 South to Exit 27A (25/8 Connector).

Take immediate exit (Exit 2- Golden Hill Street) and bear right off ramp.

At bottom of hill at light take a right.

Take left at third light (Iranistan Ave) to free parking.

FROM MERRITT PARKWAY

Exit 47, Park Avenue, heading South towards Bridgeport.

Go 4 1/2 miles, then right on Fairfield Avenue at St. John's Episcopal Church

The Klein is 1-1/2 blocks down on the right.

FROM ROUTE 8/25 SOUTH

Exit 2, Fairfield Avenue

Bear right at the fork onto Fairfield Avenue.

Go a few blocks, cross Park Avenue with St. John's Episcopal Church on your right.

The Klein is on your right.

PARKING

There is a large, well-lit, guarded lot directly across the street. No charge.

As of 4:00 PM today, Friday, March 2, 2007, negotiations are continuing in Providence, RI with the Stop & Shop Supermarket Company.  All of the New England Locals are involved in these negotiations and the major issues regarding health insurance, pension, and wages have not been resolved.   

All five of the New England Locals are currently in the process of securing meeting locations so that we can give each member a chance to vote to either ratify or reject the Company’s contract proposals.  As soon as I have the information regarding the date and location of your meeting, I will send a letter to each of you and have this information posted on our website. 

In the meantime, I want to thank you for your continued support and patience during this difficult time.

In Solidarity

I am

Brian A. Petronella
International Vice President
President UFCW Local 371.

Progress was made today as negotiations with your employer continue.  Agreements were reached on non-economic issues, though  major issues (wages, pension, medical) still remain unresolved.  We realize that these are stressful times for you and your families; however, it is important that you remain strong.  We continue to be optimistic that a settlement can be reached with your employer, in hopes of getting an equitable settlement.  YOUR SOLIDARITY IS OUR VOICE AT THE BARGAINING TABLE.

Thank you for your continued strong support and patience.

In Solidarity,

I am

Brian A. Petronella

International Vice President

President, UFCW Local 371

Full session negotiations resumed today with both sides meeting today in sub-committees to discuss non-economic issues in hopes of resolving some of these open matters. There has been no progress and we are still scheduled to meet tomorrow and Friday in Providence, RI.

All of the local unions are UNITED and share your frustration with the lack of progress. Please continue to check the website for updates.

In Solidarity, I am

Brian A. Petronella
International Vice President
President, UFCW Local 371

Please be advised that all five local unions continue to be in ongoing negotiations with Stop & Shop Supermarkets. As the chief spokesperson for the unions, I want you to know that there has been no real progress at the bargaining table. In fact, there is escalating frustration on the part of the negotiating committees because the company continues to make proposals which adversely affect your wages, your health benefits and your pension benefits. Earlier this morning, rumors were flying that Local 919 had settled with the company. As the chief spokesperson for all five unions I can assure you that there has been NO separate settlement with any of the New England locals and Stop & Shop. We will continue to negotiate with the company through Friday, March 2, 2007. I will give you daily updates for the remainder of the week.

 In Solidarity, I am

Brian A. Petronella International Vice President President, Local 371 U.F.C.W.

All five New England UFCW Locals continue to meet and bargain with the company on an hour by hour basis today starting at 9am. More details to follow as they become available.