Industry Conditions, Collective Bargaining and A&P Addressed by Niccollai

Speaking before Members at the March General Membership Meeting, UFCW Local 464A President, John T. Niccollai covered a wide range of issues from unemployment and prospects for a return to growth in the food industry to upcoming contract negotiations and current trends in collective bargaining. While sounding a cautious note, he foresaw prospects for improvement as Easter and the spring/summer seasons approach.

“When I look at the economy and what is happening to people in other industries and even some in our own industry I can only conclude that we are truly blessed. Here in New Jersey and New York we are not seeing massive store closings and we are not encountering the kinds of layoffs that workers are enduring elsewhere. This is due, in part, to our hard work and the quality of the contracts we have put in place with our employers. This does not mean that everyone in our area has escaped the economic conditions. We have employers who have addressed their financial difficulties by letting some workers go. But we are vigorously challenging these actions. Our contracts with them are strong and we have every expectation that we will prevail. As Easter approaches and we enter the spring and summer seasons I expect conditions in our industry to improve lessening the pressure on employment. ”

He went on to address the climate for collective bargaining noting that recent contracts ratified in other parts of the country are typical of the harsh economy, but making clear that concessions made in those agreements will be unacceptable to Local 464A in its own upcoming negotiations.

“Fortunately we have major contracts in place that still have several years to run. This provides protection to the majority of our members from the draconian givebacks that other workers in the industry are facing in other parts of the U. S. Still, we do have contracts that expire later this year. We will not let our employers use concessions that have been made elsewhere to serve as the starting point for negotiations in New Jersey and New York. By this I mean co-pays for medical coverage, 401K plans replacing real pension plans and low or non-existent wage increases. When it comes to collective bargaining we only have one shot, one time at bat to get everything we possibly can for our members. That is why it remains essential that we approach each negotiation mindful of what others have agreed to, but determined not to make their mistakes. In the past we have done substantially better for our workers than our peers. We will continue to do so by supporting each other and working together as a team.”

On the financial issues facing A&P Niccollai was cautiously optimistic.

“A&P’s new leadership has a great deal of work to do to get its financial house in order. We hope that its new CEO together with the management team from its major California investor, Yucaipa, can bring about the kind of changes that will capitalize on the strength of its union workers and turn the company around. We are monitoring A&P closely. But we will not tolerate any management actions that violate the terms and conditions of our collective bargaining agreement.”