Tell Rite Aid: Stop the union-busting and sign a 1st union contract!

[Omaha Steve]

Take action here:http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/riteaid

Tell a friend: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/riteaid/forward/

Companies aren't supposed to attack workers who want a union, but Rite Aid and other employers are doing it every day. When 650 workers at Rite Aid's distribution center in Lancaster, CA, wanted to join a union to address problems like sweltering heat in the warehouse, the company threatened and fired them.

The federal government was preparing to charge Rite Aid with 49 labor law violations, but let the company off with a slap on the wrist. After workers prevailed and voted to join the International Longshore and Warehouse Union last March, Rite Aid continued the attacks. Now the company is refusing to sign a first contract and has hired an anti-union consulting firm to guide the company through the decertification process. This situation at Rite Aid is a perfect example of why passing the Employee Free Choice Act is so important.



Ten JwJ local coalitions and students are taking action at Rite Aid stores across the country today as part of our national week of action.

We can't let Rite Aid succeed in its attempt to rob their workers of their right to collectively bargain. Please call or email today and tell Rite Aid CEO Mary Sammons it's time for Rite Aid to do the right thing: Respect workers rights, stop union busting, and sign a fair agreement.

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Mary Sammons

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Don't be a union-buster!

Dear ,

As a consumer who cares about working people, I am deeply troubled by reports of union-busting at Rite Aid's Distribution Center in Lancaster, CA.

Threatening and firing workers for wanting to improve their lives and working conditions is wrong. Rite Aid received big tax breaks, and promised good jobs, to locate in Lancaster. The public expects better.

I want Rite Aid to immediately stop union-busting and reach an agreement with your workers. This is very important to me as a consumer, and I'm angry that it has gone on for this long.

I plan to share the news of Rite Aid's union-busting with my friends, co-workers, and members of the community. Your workers deserve to have a voice at work, and I firmly believe that they will use that voice to make the company better.

Again, I urge you to immediately stop the union-busting and reach a first union contract with your workers in Lancaster.

Sincerely,

If you need more facts about Rite Aid, they are compelling:

* Rite Aid is a powerful corporation that takes care of executives, paying CEO Mary Sammons $5.25 million last year. In 2008, Rite Aid sales totaled $24.3 billion.

* Rite Aid demands tax breaks from local communities that need jobs. They received big tax breaks, and promised good jobs, to locate in Lancaster and receive public subsidies that offset their labor costs.

* Rite Aid workers wanted a union to address problems like warehouse temperatures that were freezing in winter and broiling in the summer, mandatory, last-minute overtime that was hurting families, and computerized tracking systems discounted safety.

* Rite Aid, like too many employers, broke the law to scare workers – with few penalties. They threatened and harassed dozens of workers for supporting the union, and fired several in hopes of terrifying others. Rite Aid faced 49 labor violations with the National Labor Relations Board but was allowed to settle, with minimal consequences. The company paid no heavy fines or punitive damages.

* After democratically voting to join a union, Rite Aid workers are blocked because the company has the power to cause endless delays on reaching a first contract. Almost a year after the vote, Rite Aid has come to the bargaining table 25 times but has failed to offer any reasonable proposals, agreeing only on trivial issues like bulletin boards. Rite Aid workers have offered to meet around-the-clock, and sit down with Rite Aid's CEO, without management accepting the offers.

[netania99]

1. Done!

Thank you for posting!

[Fridays Child]

2. I re-wrote the letter before I sent it.

Maybe not as well-stated as the one on the web site but I tend to shy away from canned messages:

I've recently read about union-busting activity taking place at your
distribution center in Lancaster, CA.

Just like your shareholders, the city of Lancaster and your workers all hold
stakes in Rite Aid's success. Thus, by threatening and firing employees, you
fail to protect not only their interests but your own, as well.

A strong union voice enhances Rite Aid's prosperity, which, in turn,
benefits all stakeholders. Please work toward a fair contract with your
distribution center employees. You will be leading the way, as America comes
together to restore and sustain our economy.

[dcsmart]

3. JWJ is great...Signed and sealed...K&R