Grocery Workers Union Meets With Canadian Counterpart to Discuss "Walmartization" of Target Stores

WESTBURY, NEW YIORK (03/28/2012)(readMedia)-- United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, New York States largest grocery workers union, met today with leadership from the Canadian labor movement to discuss cross border strategies to combat Target Stores growing anti-worker policies. In addition to meeting with its Canadian counter parts, UFCW Local 1500, assisted by Unions from as far away as Massachusetts, prepared for actions to be taken today at over 20 Target stores.

"Our efforts to prevent the walmartization of the Target Corporation will continue and escalate as long as Target Stores treats workers as if they were disposable items," said Bruce W. Both, President of UFCW Local 1500. "Whether it is shutting down the Valley Stream Long Island Target because the workers were brave enough to seek a Union or the upcoming closing of over 180 Zellers stores in Canada, a move that will displace thousands of workers, Target continues to prove that they have stolen Walmarts anti-worker playbook and are duplicating their failed policies Target Stores should have spoke with Walmart about the UFCW. If they did, Target would understand what Walmart has known for many years:The UFCW does not walk away from a fight,," Both concluded.

UFCW Local 1500 filed charges with Federal Government last week accusing Target stores of closing their Valley Stream, Long Island store during renovations in retaliation for the workers campaign to unionize with Local 1500. The Federal Government recently concluded a trial in Brooklyn, New York that accused Target Stores of multiple violations of Federal law.

In it's meeting with UFCW Canada, both parties pledged to support each other with the necessary resources to turn back Targets damaging labor relations policies.

"The walmartization of Target is in full swing and is effecting workers, families and consumers throughout North America," said Kevin Shimmin, a National representative for UFCW Canada. " We are excited to work with UFCW Local 1500 and other labor leaders from the United States to make sure Target Stores is held accountable in both the court of public opinion and the legal courts for their actions."

The campaign to educate the public and Target employees about the on going walmartization of Target takes its next steps today as UFCW 1500 leaflets over 20 Target Stores in the metropolitan New York area. The Unions actions are being assisted by UFCW Union staff from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

UFCW Local 1500 represents 23,000 grocery workers in New York State. Members are employed by Stop Shop, Shop Rite, Pathmark, King Kullen and Fairway. Their members live and work in Long Island, the five boroughs, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties.