GROCERY EMPLOYEE SAFEGUARDS APPROVED.Byline: Dan Laidman Staff Writer Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. is set to become the first city in the nation to require supermarkets to temporarily retain workers when a store changes ownership, under a controversial plan tentatively approved Wednesday by the City Council. The plan, which faces a second and final vote next week, would require large supermarkets acquiring other stores to keep workers who have been employed for at least six months for a transition period of 90 days unless there is sufficient legal cause for them to be fired. Growing out of concerns after the state's contentious 2003 grocery workers' strike, as well as union concerns over recent industry trends, officials said the private-sector regulation is permitted as part of the city's police powers police powers n. from the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, which reserves to the states the rights and powers "not delegated to the United States" which include protection of the welfare, safety, health and even morals of the public. in matters of public safety, health and welfare. ``What this ordinance is really about is the health and safety of the residents of Los Angeles,'' said Councilman Alex Padilla Alex Padilla is a politician in California. He was elected as the State Senator for the 20th District of California in November 2006 and was inaugurated in early December. In order to enter the Senate he had to resign as Councilman for the 7th District on the Los Angeles City , who introduced the ordinance, which was approved 12-2. ``These workers ensure that our food is safe and sanitary.'' While workers and union officials turned out to support the measure Wednesday, Chamber of Commerce and industry representatives said it could hurt the city's economy. ``I do believe that if this ordinance were to go in effect much of the capital that would be available for investment in supermarkets in the city might indeed flow elsewhere due to the lack of this type of ordinance in other municipalities,'' said Peter Larkin, president of the California Grocers Association. And despite the city's legal finding that it can enact the ordinance, lawyers for the association questioned the city's authority, Larkin added. Los Angeles already has similar rules for businesses with which it has contracts, and a number of other cities have enacted worker protection ordinances related to other industries. Such laws have withstood legal challenges in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of and Washington, D.C., according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a city attorney's report. But the Los Angeles grocery worker regulation is on the legal ``cutting edge'' because of its foundation in municipal police powers, said David Michaelson, chief assistant city attorney. Still, he said, ``We believe the ordinance will survive judicial scrutiny.'' The grocery chains and the United Food and Commercial Workers The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union is a labor union representing approximately 1.4 million workers in the United States and Canada in many industries, including agriculture, health care, meatpacking, poultry and food processing, manufacturing, textile and union reached a settlement after the contentious and protracted pro·tract tr.v. pro·tract·ed, pro·tract·ing, pro·tracts 1. To draw out or lengthen in time; prolong: disputants who needlessly protracted the negotiations. 2. 2003 strike, but tensions remain. Earlier this year the union criticized Albertsons for transferring a store in Westchester to the control of a subsidiary, Bristol Farms Bristol Farms is a grocery store chain that markets itself as being "upscale", with thirteen stores located mainly in the Southern California market. Formerly a subsidiary of Albertsons, Bristol Farms is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Supervalu, Inc. , and moving workers. The ordinance approved Wednesday includes requirements for employee notification and the evaluation of workers beyond the transition period. While the ordinance does not carry criminal penalties, violations could result in workers being rehired or receiving back pay. Councilman Bernard Parks, who voted against the ordinance along with colleague Greig Smith Greig Smith is a Los Angeles City Councilman, representing the 12th District, which includes Granada Hills, Northridge and other parts of the Western San Fernando Valley. Smith is also a reserve officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. , said he feared it would keep grocery stores out of his South Los Angeles South Los Angeles is the official name for a large geographic and cultural area lying to the southwest and southeast of downtown Los Angeles, California. The area was formerly called South Central Los Angeles, and is still sometimes called South Central. district, which already lacks markets. While the ordinance is aimed at large chains, Parks contended that the regulation's size standards are too lax and smaller businesses could be affected. ``I think there are some land mines in the ordinance,'' he said. The majority of the council backed the proposal, though, with some suggesting the city extend it to other industries. ``Workers today are probably more insecure of their livelihood, their benefits, than at any other time in our history,'' said Councilwoman Janice Hahn. Dan Laidman, (213) 978-0390 dan.laidman(at)dailynews.com |
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