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United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 791
 
Russell Regan, President 
 
Frank Runey, Secretary-Treasurer
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Proudly serving over 6000 workers in Massachusetts,

Rhode Island and Maine since 1947

 

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UFCW Local 791

55 Norfolk Ave

South Easton, MA, 02375

1-774-568-0791

1-800-535-2752

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2002

With the assistance of Senator Edward Kennedy and the Commonwealth Corporation, Local 791 obtains a federal job training assistance grant of over $1.5 million dollars specifically for the workers laid off at the Shaw’s East Bridgewater Distribution Center.

 

The Exel Case Ready Beef plant is closed and relocated to a bigger facility in Pennsylvania.

 

2004

Albertsons Inc., one of the nation’s largest supermarket retailers, purchases Shaw’s Supermarkets from J. Sainsbury.

 

2005

In May, employees of the Kendall Square Cinema located in Cambridge, MA contact Local 791 expressing interest in having union representation. 

 

On August 1, employees of the Kendall Square Cinema vote to join Local 791.

 

2006

A group of investors that includes Supervalu Inc. purchases Albertsons. From the sale Supervalu will acquire Shaw’s Supermarkets as well as several other grocery chains across the United States making it the number two grocery retailer in the United States.

 

1995

On November 17, 1995, the workers in the Methuen warehouse overwhelmingly vote to ratify their first contract, bringing long overdue and substantial increases in their wages and benefits. 

 

1997

On February 12th, employees at Shaw’s third warehouse in Wells,Maine vote to become members of UFCW Local 791.

 

In late July, Local 791 has its first strike against Shaw’s after contract negotiations break down. Job security, wages, health benefits, and the Time Off with Pay Program (TOPP) are the major issues that lead 7,000 members to walk out on strike.   An agreement is reached between the Union and Shaw’s just 36 hours into the strike due to the solidarity and courage of Local 791’s members.

 

On July 30th Local 791 members overwhelmingly ratify a four-year contract, with no TOPP, decent wage and pension increases with job security for all full- time warehouse and full -rated general duty clerks.

 

1998

In June, the workers in the Wells warehouse ratify their first contract with increases in wages, the elimination of the Time Off with Pay Program (TOPP), the addition of seniority rights, and a freeze on the health care co-pay.

 

1999

Local 791 initiates an organizing campaign at the Excel Case Ready Beef plant located in Taunton, MA after workers at the plant express interest in the Union.

 

2000

In May, a federal judge orders the reinstatement of five fired Excel employees upon request by the National Labor Relations Board who found that Excel committed unfair labor practices by firing the workers for engaging in union activity. 

 

In June, a tie vote in the vote for union representation results in the Excel plant remaining union-free.

 

2001

In May, a majority of employees of Excel Case Ready Beef vote to join Local 791.  

 

In July, a strike is averted when Local 791 members ratify a new three-year contract following a very intense and tough round of negotiations with Shaw’s.  The contract includes a severance package for the Local 791 members of the East Bridgewater Distribution Center that Shaw’s will close at the end of the year.

 

This chronology is a summary of some of the major moments in Local 791’s history.

 

1947

Brockton Retail Clerks Association is formed and is recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent for Shaw’s (then Brockton Public Markets) employees.

 

1978

BPM merges with the George C. Shaw Co. of Portland, Maine, forming what is now known as Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc.

 

1982

In December of 1982 the Brockton Retail Clerks Association becomes the Independent Foodhandlers and Warehouse Employees Union (IFWE).  

 

1987

J. Sainsbury, an international corporation based in England, acquires controlling interest in Shaw’s Supermarkets.

 

1990

Shaw’s opens a perishable warehouse in Methuen, MA, run by Exel Logistics (a third party operator working for Shaw’s).

 

1991

The members of IFWE vote overwhelmingly to affiliate with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and became UFCW Local 791.

 

Shaw’s announces the first ever layoff of store employees in the history of the company.   Local 791 negotiates full recall rights for the affected employees in the union stores who did not choose to receive a severance package.   By the end of 1993, all remaining laid-off union store employees had been recalled. 

 

1993

On July 8 and 9th, the Exel employees in the Methuen warehouse vote to become members of Local 791 after a four month organizing campaign.

 

1994

The National Labor Relations Board certifies UFCW Local 791 as the exclusive bargaining agent for the employees in the Methuen warehouse.   In December, contract negotiations begin with Exel’s management and continued until July of 1995 when Shaw’s assumed full control of the Methuen operation.

Local 791 Timeline