Somerville Aldermen approve Shaw’s strike resolution

On June 16, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

By Tom Nash

Faced with an audience of striking Shaw's supermarket workers, the Board of Aldermen approved a resolution last Thursday asking for the grocery chain to get back to the bargaining table.

Around 300 warehouse workers went on strike in March after the final contract presented by Supervalu, the parent company of Shaw's, included steep benefit cuts. Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero had earlier tabled the resolution, sponsored by Alderman-at-Large Dennis Sullivan and Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, saying it was not the board's place to get involved.

"If we don't support these warehouse workers now, who's next?" Sullivan said.

Most of the other aldermen who signed on to the resolution also voiced support again at the June 10 meeting, noting both the inequity of the situation and the role government needs to play in ensuring workers get health care coverage.

"I think it's incumbent upon this board to stand up when we see injustice happening," Ward 3 Alderman Tom Taylor said.

Ward 1 Alderman Bill Roche again expressed reservations about whether taking up the issue was appropriate, but said he had no problem asking both sides to continue negotiations.

"I'm really still not sure if under the rules of this Board of Aldermen if this should be before us," Roche said, "but because of the way it is worded I will support it."

The resolution passed unanimously – Pero was not in the chambers for the vote.