AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JOHN T. NICCOLLAI - 9-8-2020

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JOHN T. NICCOLLAI

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

KINGS BANKRUPTCY UPDATE

President Niccollai reported today that Kings posted another propaganda video designed to paint the Company as the best friend of all workers in their employ.  The problem with the presentation is that it is being painted with a broad brush as one size fits all, and it is not truthful or accurate. 

There are several facts we must address to set the record straight as follows:

1.        UFCW Local 464A has no unfunded pension liability. Therefore, when your Company states they must get out of our Pension Fund through a bankruptcy because of unfunded pension liability it’s just not true.  The simple answer is that they want you to have some inferior, almost worthless pension that carries less costs, and no Company guarantees into the future.

2.        Kings realizes they cannot provide the same high-quality Medical Plan for what they contribute to our Local Union.  Yet again, they want to provide less and pay less.  It should be noted that our Medical Plan is among the very best and least costly in our industry.  The real problem is that the Company is looking to break away from the Union-sponsored plans wherever possible and provide lesser, lower quality medical benefits.

3.        Kings is presently in multiemployer contract negotiations with the Local Union.  After the first meeting, they apparently fired their participating attorney, and the Company failed to attend the next multiemployer negotiating session. 

I would ask, is this the act of a caring Employer who is deeply concerned about the Union members in their employ?  To me, it sounds like the speech of fictional character Gordon Gekko who said, “Greed is Good”.  Well, “Greed Is Not Good”.  Greed destroys the hopes, dreams, and lives of hard-working, caring employees.

We want all our Kings members to know your Union cannot just stand by and watch attempts to “Sell You Out” by the same management that lead you into bankruptcy.  We will fight with all our strength and resources to protect you and achieve justice!

WORK SMARTLY – WORK SAFELY