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Striking Shaw’s Workers Pick Up Support
Striking workers at the Shaw’s supermarket warehouse in Methuen, Mass., are gaining the support of political, community and religious leaders and union members across New England. The 310 workers, members of Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 791, walked out March 7 after Shaw’s management demanded workers take on the full burden of paying increased costs for health care.
On April 1, Shaw’s cut off health care for workers and families even though many of them have serious medical conditions including advanced pregnancy.
Despite calls from Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.) and nine other congressional leaders and respected voices in the religious community, Shaw’s and its parent, Supervalu, refuse to reinstate the workers’ health benefits. Local 791 represents Shaw’s workers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine.
One of the most creative actions in support of the workers involved a flash mob at a Shaw’s in Somerville, Maine, led by the Somerville Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society band and an activist chorus. They sang “Ain’t Gonna Shop at Shaw’s No More” to the tune of “Down By the Riverside” (see video above). After briefly telling shoppers about the strike and chanting “Boycott Shaw’s,” the band and chorus marched out the door.
Last month, more than 80 delegates to the Maine AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education (COPE) convention wound up their meeting by joining striking workers at a Shaw’s Supermarket in Scarborough, Maine, for a rousing show of solidarity.
Workers are asking their union brothers and sisters to boycott Shaw’s while they remain on the picket line. Click here for more information on the strike.
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7 Comments
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All workers need to stand against those that WORSHIP greed,yes it is an IDOL,according to the Holy Scriptures!All workers regardless whether they be union or not MUST FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT AGAINST THOSE THAT DO THIS EVIL!!
The best way to get the PUBLIC informed…is to use the media in some form of what is going on. I have not shopped at Shaws since I learned of this. We need to get the ordinary citizen informed.
I like that they are doing this the right way. They are grabbing attention, they’re sounding good while doing it. And standing together in solidarity.
The video of the “Flash Mob” action at Shaw’s was edited by a talented NYU student, Marlie Wilson — who just happens to be my daughter. I’m a very proud papa!
Good luck as you stand up to corporate greed. Our Local UWUA 127 gave up our pension and big increase cost in medical. To one of the richest men in the USA. Had replacement workers at the door so they said. Everyone wasn’t willing to stand up to Warren Buffet and his clones. We will see what they want in 4 years.
Good luck getting the info to the media about what’s going on. During our negotiations with Rocky Mountain Power they were spending so much money in the Main rag (newspaper) in our great state of Wyoming. They wouldn’t print our letters to the editor. Called and asked why! They said they didn’t want to get involved in a labor dispute. We were just in negotiations. The union members need to stand together. We did get letters in Green River Star and The Rocket Miner A Big Thank you to them
Every body should NOT cross the picket line. If you think about it, if people hadn’t crossed the PATCO picket line, then Reagan couldn’t have fired the workers & unions would have been weakened!