Union Members Tell Rite Aid Stores to Sign a Fair Contract 
February 13, 2009

Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and supporters from other unions held rallies at Rite Aid stores from Seattle to San Diego Feb. 13 to protest the company’s refusal to bargain with the ILWU.

ILWU International Organizer John Brier who organized the rally at Rite Aid's Seattle Store brought in members from the Seattle Pensioner Club, Seattle ILWU Woman's Auxiliary #3, "A" and "B" members from Local 19, members from Local 52 plus members from many other unions as well as Jobs with Justice. 

Some of the speakers were; Organizer John Brier, Local 19 President Matt Ventoza, Pensioners' President Bob Rogers, Local 52 member Celso Tolman, Local 19 member Jack Block jr. there were almost 100 people who turned out for the rally.

At the rally at Rite Aid’s San Mateo store, ILWU National Organizing Director Peter Olney said that when the 650 workers at Rite Aid’s distribution center in Lancaster wanted to join the ILWU, the company threatened to fire them. After workers voted to join the union last March, Rite Aid continued the attacks and is refusing to sign a first contract.

“The federal government charged Rite Aid with 49 labor law violations, but they let the company off with a slap on the wrist,” Olney said.

Fred Pecker, Business Agent for ILWU Local 6, said, “If the Employee Free Choice Act was law, we’d have a contract.” The Act calls for binding arbitration and imposes penalties on employers who do not reach an agreement with the union within the first 90 days after the union election.

Olney pointed out that, “Rite Aid stores depend on our business. Last year, ILWU members and pensioners bought nearly $8 million in prescription drugs from Rite Aid, with about $183,000 in San Mateo County. 

It’s time to stop throwing our money at companies that abuse the union election process and stall bargaining in order to deny workers their right to join a union.”

Rite Aid is the third largest drugstore chain in the U.S., with more than 5,000 stores in 31 states. In 2008, Rite aid sales totaled $24.3 billion, and Rite Aid CEO Mary Sammons took $5.25 million in compensation in 2008. The company also received tax breaks and subsidies to locate their warehouse in an enterprise zone in Lancaster.

Olney said Rite Aid had hired a union busting consulting firm to advise the company on how to stall and fight the unionization drive.

The ILWU has not called for a boycott of Rite Aid, whose clerks are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers union. A group of union members did attempt to deliver a letter to the San Mateo store manager urging the company to bargain in good faith with the union.

Several unions were represented at the San Mateo rally, including Machinists Local 1414, Electrical Workers Local 617, Engineers and Scientists Local 21, Painters and Tapers Local 913, Office and Professional Employees Local 3, and Electrical Workers Local 1245.

IBEW Local 617 member Dan Haggerty said that, “As union members, we are in this together to make sure workers are treated fairly across the globe.”

Rallies were held in 13 locations from Seattle to San Diego. The union also planned to protest at Rite Aid’s headquarters in Pennsylvania during their stockholders’ meetings.

UPDATE : Rite Aid Employees Have won their first contract!!
The 500 workers at the distribution center in Lancaster have approved a 3 year contract with their employer on May 12, 2011!!

Event Photos by John Ryder Local 19 retired

Photos of the Event