The following are true stories of actual union members at Giant and Safeway. We consider these workers to be our heroes and the driving force behind our negotiations in 2012.
Please check back often for more stories and if you have one you’d like to submit, please email us at occupygiantandsafeway@gmail.com.
“Mike”, Giant employee, 25+ years of service:
Why is it so important to protect our health benefits at the bargaining table?
“Mike” is a long-time Giant employee with children that have serious health problems. The shear amount of medical expenses would have crippled any family, but our contract requires Giant to maintain benefits for the life of our contract. Keeping our benefits strong is vital to Mike, who says: “We have one of the few insurance plans that’s respected in this area.” Without our plan, Mike says, he would be unable to provide medical care for his family.
“Jason”, Giant employee, 20+ years of service:
Why is important to ensure fair wages and working conditions at the bargaining table?
Raised in a large family, Jason understands the importance of hard work. He commutes over an hour one way to work and has been a dedicated worker at Giant for over 20 years. According to Jason, while they cite inability to meet payroll costs, store management often cuts the work hours of employees, yet the store still manages high sales volumes. This seems to be a big factor that contributes to increased turnover of new employees. Jason worries about the impact on the newer workers every day. About this he says: “They [Giant] have to bring these people up to some money. Their [newer employees] future is my retirement.” Jason clearly sees the importance of Giant’s need to be successful but suggests that it must be balanced with quality of life for union members as well.
Mike, Giant employee, 30+ years of service
Why is it so important to protect our health benefits at the bargaining table?
In his own words: “I’ve been with Giant for 34 years and over the last 12 years have had numerous health problems and operations and these health benefits have helped me and my family get through it. I still have more operations to go through and all this time I have worked to keep this company strong and given all that I have through these difficult times. Giant is still making good money. We should get the contract we deserve for getting them where they are today. We need to stand together as one union and one voice to stay strong and united on the benefits and compensation we deserve to have.”
“Nicole”, Safeway employee, 5+ years of service
Why is it important to continue to fight for quality full-time jobs?
“Nicole” started at Safeway with the intent of being able to gain full-time employment there so that she could provide for herself and her young children. She’s concerned because of the limited hours that are offered to her department, something that seems to change without explanation. Like other workers, she’s hearing that management “can’t afford to increase hours” yet she sees regular aesthetic improvements in the store’s decor. This makes it hard, she says, to be able to provide for her family. She’s thankful for her health insurance and other benefits that she has as a result of being a union member. In this negotiation, Nicole wants to ensure that the hard work and dedication of union members like herself, is at the forefront of the minds of Safeway’s company representatives at the bargaining table.
I also, as Mike, am a long time Giant Employee, 34 years of service. I love my job, and love the customers. I am a single mother, with my daughter in college. I get no help from her father. So, benefits pay and pension are very important to me. I work very hard for Giant. I also have a multple health problems. We need to keep what we have or make it better. Our company makes way too much money, to not give to the ones who work the hardest for them. Thank you
Thanks Cindy for sharing your story. We are grateful that you’re in this with us. Stay strong!
I retired from safeway in 07.why don’t we get raises anymore? If the CEO is getting all of this why can’t we get something extra sometime.just to say we thank you for working 35 plus years. and for help to keep the company a float. matter a fact why can’t the union say we are welcome to come to the meeting. why can’t they also give us 1 extra check a year or negatation another pay raise for the retires.
Thanks for your comment. Our advisory committee is pretty involved in the process and they have attended the bargaining meetings so far. Retirees are very important to us as part of negotiations, in fact if you read many of our posts here and on our Facebook page we mention pensions quite a bit. If you are interested in being involved as a retiree, please send us an email to occupygiantandsafeway@gmail.com because we’d be glad to have you help us fight. Thanks for your service and your union membership over the years. We really appreciate you staying involved and educating yourself on the process!
U should be ashame of what your doing to the workers of America. I am a shopper and a former employee of Giant. Who would think the owners would just right down disrespect the employees whom put you high on the map so that you CEO can enjoy your yacht long trips to different countries and islands. Shame Shame…Did it ever occur that is why the retirees and those that are still working will not and shall not go to the doctors because of the high price of insurance. Come on now let’s rally this out now. Do you what is right and fair by the union of america. Let’s be proud of this country and what it stands for.
God Bless America
Carol–thank you for supporting us. We hope that the company takes your message seriously like we do!