For all of you yinzers that shop at the East End Food Coop, especially the members, I have some news.
As you may know, management has essentially crushed the union drive through misinformation and intimidation (what a surprise). Workers are now without past benefits, without a paid meal on shift (even though it costs only .50 cents per worker), and everyone's hours have been cut drastically. Disciplinary action has been taken against many workers, with much more to follow tonight's all-staff meeting. The coop has hired a lawyer, who is on retainer, to deal with any worker uprising. To boot, private consultants (think free agents) have been brought in from other states (talk about keeping it local) to determine what happens with our coop. These consultants (who have worked for Whole Foods in the past) have decided that what our flailing storefront needs is a facelift, that will come after the coop garners a $400K loan. There's little chance the coop will be able to repay this, and could close due to the debt.
I'm asking that if you're a member, even if you just shop there, to email Jen English (jenglish@eefc.org), the General Manager, and tell her enough is enough. It's bullshit that she claims there's not enough revenue to secure workers' benefits and hours, but there's enough to hire consultants, pay for a reset and sent the Coop Board of Directors to Vermont for a holiday. She's brazen (or brainless) enough to tout the new slogan as "We own it." Fuck you, we own it. Management owns it. It's no longer a coop, as they've stopped listening to workers and members alike. It's time to take it back.
If you have any questions, email me. I'm more than happy to share the info I've received. Thanks y'all.
As you may know, management has essentially crushed the union drive through misinformation and intimidation (what a surprise). Workers are now without past benefits, without a paid meal on shift (even though it costs only .50 cents per worker), and everyone's hours have been cut drastically. Disciplinary action has been taken against many workers, with much more to follow tonight's all-staff meeting. The coop has hired a lawyer, who is on retainer, to deal with any worker uprising. To boot, private consultants (think free agents) have been brought in from other states (talk about keeping it local) to determine what happens with our coop. These consultants (who have worked for Whole Foods in the past) have decided that what our flailing storefront needs is a facelift, that will come after the coop garners a $400K loan. There's little chance the coop will be able to repay this, and could close due to the debt.
I'm asking that if you're a member, even if you just shop there, to email Jen English (jenglish@eefc.org), the General Manager, and tell her enough is enough. It's bullshit that she claims there's not enough revenue to secure workers' benefits and hours, but there's enough to hire consultants, pay for a reset and sent the Coop Board of Directors to Vermont for a holiday. She's brazen (or brainless) enough to tout the new slogan as "We own it." Fuck you, we own it. Management owns it. It's no longer a coop, as they've stopped listening to workers and members alike. It's time to take it back.
If you have any questions, email me. I'm more than happy to share the info I've received. Thanks y'all.
sloane1:
geez, that blows.Good luck 