2008-08-02 03:05:03 -

- The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 791 warned today that a strike is looming because Shaw's Supermarkets refuses to back off proposals that offer substandard wage increases, eliminate the defined benefit pension plan, and gut the health care plan while asking workers to pay more for a lesser health plan.

"Once again, Shaw's is demonstrating that

the bottom line means more than people by offering a substandard wage package, shifting an excessive amount of health care costs too workers and eliminating their pension plan," said Peter Derouen, spokesman for Local 791.

Contracts that cover approximately 5,800 members in Massachusetts and Rhode Island Shaw's Supermarkets and 270 employees at Shaw's Distribution Center located in Wells, Maine expire this Saturday, August 2, 2008.

The Union has made several attempts to address the Company's concerns related to health care, pension, and wages. Unfortunately, at this time the Company continues to reject the Union's efforts to address these issues. A federal mediator will arrive tomorrow to help resolve the outstanding issues.

"The Union recognizes it's a very competitive retail market in New England, but Shaw's continues to maintain a very strong position in that market," said Peter Derouen, spokesman for Local 791. "Given Shaw's performance and place in the market, we feel their proposals reach far too deeply into the pockets of their own workers," added Derouen.

Local 791 members will vote to ratify new agreements or authorize a strike at meetings that will be held throughout the day this Sunday, August 3, 2008. Union members that work in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island stores will be meeting at the Taunton Holiday Inn, Taunton, MA. Members who work at the Shaw's Distribution Center in Wells, Maine will meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Wells High School.

"Local 791 has worked hard to address many of the Company's issues throughout these negotiations, but what the Company is asking from our members is unrealistic as well as unfair. The goal of Local 791's negotiating committee is to work diligently to get a contract that we can recommend to our members. However, if we are unable to recommend an agreement to our members and they reject the Company's offer, we are prepared to set up picket lines," said Derouen.

UFCW Local 791 represents approximately 5,600 members in 38 Shaw's Supermarkets in Massachusetts and Rhode Island as well as distribution centers in Methuen Massachusetts and Wells Maine.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union
Local 791
Peter Derouen
Cell Phone: 508-728-7112