Butchers Union to Honor Picket Lines If Grocery Workers Strike

First Strike Authorization Meetings Set for Wednesday, June 23rd

QUEENS VILLAGE, NY (06/22/2010)(readMedia)-- United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers Union, has received the support of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 342, the Union representing Butchers as well employees from the deli and seafood departments at Stop and Shop, Pathmark and King Kullen. In the event of a strike at these stores, the members of UFCW Local 342 will join UFCW Local 1500 members on the picket line.

"The leadership of UFCW Local 342, led by President Richard Abondola notified us last night that they will honor all UFCW Local 1500 picket lines set up at Pathmark, King Kullen and Stop and Shop," said Patrick Purcell, spokesperson for UFCW Local 1500. "This will effectively shut down these stores going into the 4th of July weekend. Any statement to the contrary from these supermarkets would an outright deception of their loyal customers."

UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce W. Both thanked UFCW Local 342 for their support. "As they have been for so many years, President Abondola and the members of UFCW Local 342 continue to be a true symbol of the word solidarity."

In other action, the Union will be conducting their first strike authorization meetings this Wednesday, June 23 at the following locations:

- International JFK Airport Hotel: 144-02 135th Ave. Jamaica, NY 11436

- Sheraton Long Island Hotel (Suffolk Smithtown Room): 110 Motor Parkway, Smithtown, NY 11788

- Holiday Inn Mount Kisco: One Holiday Inn Drive [Exit 37-Saw Mill Pkwy.] Mount Kisco, NY 10549

All meetings are scheduled to start at 7:00 PM and conclude by 8:00 PM

Any media outlet wishing to attend should contact Pat Purcell 973-583-9651

Any strike strike would effect over 150 supermarkets and 16,000 workers. The strike would effect supermarkets on Long Island, the Five Boroughs, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties with its effects being felt in New Jersey and Connecticut. The contract expiration date is Saturday June 26.

For consumers, the Union has sent up a web address that will lead them to public updates about the potential strike. The website is www.nysupermarkets.com.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 is based out of Queens Village and represents 23,000 grocery workers in the Metropolitan New York area