President Biden meets with Teamsters as he seeks to bolster his support among labor unions WASHINGTON (AP), March 12, 2024 — President Joe Biden courted the support of the powerful International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Tuesday, reminding its leaders and members of his record on unions as likely Republican challenger Donald Trump tries to make gains among the blue-collar workers that helped propel his 2016 victory. Biden met with the Teamsters at its headquarters and emphasized the administration’s support of unions and his longtime support for the labor movement. Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said after the meeting that Biden has been “great” for workers but stressed that “there’s still a lot of work to be done” to bolster unions. “There’s always a threat to organized labor, so we want to be proactive and make certain every candidate — not just President Biden — understands how important our issues are,” O’Brien told reporters after meeting with the president. Biden and the Teamsters discussed topics such as the Butch Lewis Act — a measure Biden signed into law that shored up pensions for scores of workers — Social Security and Medicare, while the president vowed to continue to “hold corporations accountable, because every worker deserves respect, and billionaire executives shouldn’t pay a lower tax rate than truck drivers or warehouse workers,” said Biden campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt. Source: https://apnews.com/article/teamsters-labor-unions-biden-trump-campaign-91a1c5ab352311d5346878e42227d38b #UFCW #UFCW8 #1u

US judge to hear FTC challenge to Kroger-Albertsons deal in August March 12, 2024 -- WASHINGTON, March 11 (Reuters) - U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson on Monday set Aug. 26 as the start of a hearing on the Federal Trade Commission's bid for a preliminary injunction to block supermarket chain Kroger's (KR.N), opens new tab $24.6 billion deal to buy smaller rival Albertsons (ACI.N), opens new tab. The FTC sued last month to block the deal that would create a supermarket empire with more than 4,000 stores, saying it would boost grocery prices for millions of Americans. The tie-up has drawn tough scrutiny from lawmakers and consumer groups worried about higher grocery prices, job losses and store closures. Nelson of the U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon said both sides must file a proposed briefing schedule by Friday. Kroger said last week it was committed to defending the Albertsons merger in court following the U.S. FTC lawsuit, with Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen saying the company believes "this is the best outcome for America's families." The companies cannot close the deal with the legal challenges pending. Read more: https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/us-judge-hear-ftc-challenge-kroger-albertsons-deal-aug-26-2024-03-11/ #UFCW #UFCW8 #1u

Family Dollar faces new allegations of product contamination Feb 22, 2024 (Reuters) - Family Dollar and its parent company Dollar Tree are facing new allegations that the discount chain stores sold contaminated or damaged products even as the companies attempt to finalize the settlement of a separate multidistrict litigation over claims that rats contaminated products at some stores. In a proposed class action, opens new tab filed on Wednesday in federal court in Miami, Florida, a pair of Family Dollar shoppers claim they bought personal care products and over-the-counter medicines that had been improperly stored at high temperatures or in humid conditions. A spokesperson for Dollar Tree, opens new tab said the company doesn’t comment on active litigation but added that Dollar Tree is committed "to providing safe and effective products and to complying with all applicable laws and regulations, including product storage." “We believe Family Dollar profited from peddling unsafe products at a discount to people who had no other options,” said Steve Berman of Hagens Berman, who is one of the attorneys representing the consumers. Read more: https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/family-dollar-faces-new-allegations-product-contamination-2024-02-22/ #UFCW #UFCW8 #1u

Viva Supermarket employees speak out against former councilman Sean Loloee, grocery stores Many said they faced veiled threats of deportation. Some alleged they were asked to deposit checks into their personal accounts and return the money to their employer. A few said they were told to lie about their workplace injuries. And others said they faced sexual harassment. These stories, recounted by former Viva Supermarket employees, provide some of the first details behind the 25-count indictment charges facing former Sacramento City Councilman Sean Loloee and his general manager Karla Montoya for all the stores. Read more: https://www.sacbee.com/news/equity-lab/accountability/article284887517.html #UFCW #UFCW8 #1u