PLAN SHIELDS SUPERMARKETS' STAFF AFTER SALE.Byline: Dan Laidman Staff Writer Supermarket workers would be protected from layoffs and transfers when their stores are sold under a plan introduced Friday by the Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. . The council directed city lawyers to draw up an ordinance that would require temporary worker retention when supermarkets change hands, as well as new cosmetic and safety requirements for the stores. The proposal, which grew out of lingering friction from the 2003 supermarket strike, has raised the hopes of the grocery workers union and the concerns of the industry. ``We're concerned about the notion that these people, the workers that have built these stores up, are being displaced,'' said Ricardo Icaza, president of 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 , Local 770. Peter Larkin, president of the California Grocers Association, said he was not aware of any other city that has imposed such restrictions on grocery companies. ``To require the acquiring company to keep the same work force that was there before makes no sense at all,'' he said. ``The transitional period is often the most important time for the new owner to make a statement about who they are, how they operate and the type of services they want to provide.'' Council members said supermarkets warrant special treatment because they become de facto [Latin, In fact.] In fact, in deed, actually. This phrase is used to characterize an officer, a government, a past action, or a state of affairs that must be accepted for all practical purposes, but is illegal or illegitimate. neighborhood centers that are important to residents' health and welfare. ``For those that think we're meddling med·dle intr.v. med·dled, med·dling, med·dles 1. To intrude into other people's affairs or business; interfere. See Synonyms at interfere. 2. To handle something idly or ignorantly; tamper. in the marketplace, these are critical anchors in our community,'' said Councilman Eric Garcetti Eric Garcetti (born 1971) is the son of former Los Angeles county district attorney Gil Garcetti, and was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 2001. He was reelected in 2005. . The grocery chains and the UFCW UFCW United Food and Commercial Workers 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. strike, but tensions remain. Last month the union criticized Albertsons for transferring a store in Westchester to the control of a subsidiary, Bristol Farms, and moving workers. Council President Alex Padilla, who introduced the motion, said an ordinance could come back to the council by December. UFCW's Icaza said he hopes it will affect store conversions currently under way. Larkin of the Grocers Association said it is too early to tell what action his group might take. Dan Laidman, (213) 978-0390 dan.laidman(at)dailynews.com |
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