TO ALL STOP & SHOP MEAT MANAGERS, SECOND (2ND) PERSONS & MEAT CUTTERS UPDATE ON EMPLOYEES VOLUNTARY SEPARATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM: FROM PRESIDENT JOHN T. NICCOLLAI

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ARBITRATORS AWARD CONCERNING THE INTRODUCTION OF PRE-PACKAGED MEAT AND THE PROTECTIVE LANGUAGE CONTAINED IN OUR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, THE COMPANY IS NOW IMPLEMENTING THE EMPLOYEE VOLUNTARY SEPARATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE MEAT DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 27, 2017 AND RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY A THREE MONTH PERIOD.

COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE HANDING OUT COPIES OF THE VSIP PROGRAM TO ELIGIBLE MEAT DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES AFTER JANUARY 1, 2018. THOSE INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING ARE URGED TO FILL OUT THE NECESSARY PAPER WORK AND FORWARD TO THE COMPANY AS PER THE INSTRUCTIONS.  ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES SHALL RECEIVE ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR EACH YEAR OF SERVICE UP TO A MAXIMUM OF FORTY (40) YEARS.

AS A REMINDER, EMPLOYEES IN THE MEAT DEPARTMENT WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE OR DO NOT WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VSIP PROGRAM WILL NOT BE LAID OFF OR TRANSFERRED TO WORK IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND WILL MAINTAIN THEIR WAGES AS MEAT DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES NOW AND IN THE FUTURE AS A RESULT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF PRE-PACKAGED MEATS.  

THIS IS A TERRIFIC OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE SENIOR MEMBERS WHO ARE LOOKING TO RETIRE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

YOUR ELECTED OFFICERS ARE EXTREMELY PLEASED WITH THE OUTCOME IN RESOLVING THIS SITUATION WHICH AFFORDS OUR SENIOR MEMBERS TO RETIRE WITH ADDITIONAL MONIES PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY, AS WELL AS PROTECTING ALL OTHER MEAT CUTTERS TO CONTINUE TO WORK IN THE MEAT DEPARTMENT, WITH NO NEGATIVE IMPACT ON WAGES, BENEFITS AND LAY-OFFS NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.