Letter to the Hon. Mark McGowan - Support UFCW Workers at Stop & Shop Stores Across New England

Letter

Dear President McGowan:

Thank you for your letter from last month updating our offices about the status of negotiations between Stop & Shop and the five New England United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union locals. We appreciate your keeping us informed, and we believe it is time for Stop and Shop and UFCW to reach a fair contract agreement.

To be clear, we strongly support the tens of thousands of UFCW members who work at Stop & Shop stores in New England and deserve fair wages and retirement benefits. However, it has come to our attention that cuts to workers' take-home pay, health care, and retirement may be under consideration. If true, this would be highly alarming. As you know, your employees have been critical to the company's success and should be compensated accordingly.

We value companies that respect their employees and their customers. Cutting health care and take-home pay will harm customer service, lengthen checkout lines, and increase employee turnover. Stop & Shop workers and management must come to an agreement that yields quality service and allows New England workers to provide for their families.

We urge you to ensure Stop & Shop is the best place possible for its employees and its customers by reaching a fair contract agreement without further delay.