Posted on 08/25/2009 12:43:52 PM PDT by markomalley
In response to a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed by Whole Foods’ Chief Executive Officer John Mackey, activists, consumers and labor groups around the country have been organizing in opposition to his efforts to undermine meaningful health care reform.
Over the course of the next few weeks, members and staff from the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) will be disseminating educational information to Whole Foods shoppers. The purpose of these efforts will be to set the record straight about health care reform and to raise serious concerns about Whole Foods CEO’s position on this critical issue. These events will be part of a series of regional educational efforts being planned for the coming weeks.
On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, UFCW Local 75 will be in front of the Whole Foods in Cincinnati, Ohio, at 2693 Edmondson Rd., at approximately 5:00 p.m.
For UFCW members, health care reform is a top legislative priority. UFCW members around the country are organizing and mobilizing their communities in support of comprehensive health care reform.
WHO: Local health care activists and labor advocates, led by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union
WHAT: Launch of consumer campaign to educate shoppers about Whole Foods CEO’s efforts to undermine health care reform and President Obama. The UFCW will be providing educational information to Whole Foods shoppers.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, at approximately 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Whole Foods (2693 Edmondson Rd.) in Cincinnati, Ohio
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Are there unionized workers at Whole Foods? Or is this a protest by unions representing competing business employees?
When I lived in Seattle I shopped Whole Foods weekly. Killer meat and seafood counter, and a beer cooler that just never ended. I could rarely walk out of there under $100.
It’s 8 hour drive to Minneapolis to get to one now, but I’m half considering it.
And I will be happy if the percentage of uptight liberals perusing the aisles at Whole Foods drops a little.
I was never a fan of Whole Foods..thought they had a lot of snob appeal and really high prices, but I will support their right to free speach. These union thugs need to be reminded that we will not be intimidated. Plan to head there this afternoon.
Allegedly they are non union
Texas is a right to work state so I wouldn’t know from the WF in my state.
It’s time for Whole Foods management to hire some off-duty cops (or Blackwater/Xe guys) to keep watch at the Cinci store.
Around me the prices at Whole Foods are matched by the competitors. Some offer a slight discount if you will consent to have your purchases tracked and logged with a “discount card”.
Produce is the only thing that goes really off the chart at WF. And meats/fish are often on sale.
I normally don’t shop a WF because of their high prices, but if lived in the area I would be sure to shop there when the protesters were there. If they come to my area I sure will.
I hope you enjoy shopping at WFM as much as I do. Get some of their sunburst-colored organic heirloom tomatoes, slice ‘em with a nice balsamic vinaigrette and some buffalo mozzarella, mmm, ambrosia! Sure, some of their prices are high, but quality has its cost. Other prices aren’t so bad... my favorite beer, Lagunitas IPA, is a buck less a six-pack at WFM than at Safeway. Buy stuff on sale, and it can actually be reasonable to shop there. And you’ll never find better quality. Just try their organic celery if you need proof. Who knew celery could have so much flavor?
8/25/2009 - The CtW Investment Group, a part of the Change to Win federation of unions that advocates on behalf of workers’ investment in pension funds, issued a statement that calls for the removal of Whole Foods CEO John Mackey.
******
How is that any of their business?!!!
******
Founded in February 2006, the CtW Investment Group works with pension funds sponsored by unions affiliated with Change to Win, a federation of unions representing nearly 6 million members, to enhance long-term shareholder returns through active ownership. Members of CtW affiliates participate in Taft-Hartley plans with an estimated $217 billion in assets.
The long-term health of these pension plans, and the retirement security of the workers and families who rely upon them, are threatened by conflicts of interest on Wall Street and in the boardroom, a corporate backlash that seeks to weaken the accountability of executives to shareholders, and outright corporate fraud.
The CtW Investment Group works with pension funds sponsored by Change to Win affiliates - as well as public pension funds in which members of CtW affiliates participate, and other funds and interested groups - on active ownership programs aiming to ensure, for example, independent and accountable directors, reasonable executive compensation, and sound environmental, human resource and other business policies.
The materials linked below should help further describe the need for active ownership:
United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment
Council of Institutional Investors, “Portfolio Risk Reduction and Performance Enhancement: A Spectrum of Activism Practices for Institutional Investors”
U.S. Department of Labor, “Interpretive bulletin relating to written statements of investment policy, including proxy voting policy or guidelines”
Contact Us
Washington, DC
1900 L Street NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
New York
330 W 42nd Street, Suite 900
New York, NY 10036
Corporate Transactions
Companies
CVS/Caremark
Lafarge North America
Rite Aid
Gold Kist
Since our founding in 2006, we have successfully spearheaded shareholder engagements with Kellwood Company, CVS/Caremark, Heinz, Inc., Gold Kist, Inc., Lafarge North America, Inc., and Rite Aid, Inc. In each case, we believe engagement by the CtW Investment Group and CtW affiliate-sponsored funds generated improved terms for shareholders, or helped to prevent changes in corporate control and strategy that would have adversely affected shareholder value.
******
This group is connected to the ACLU
by Anna Mumford, Program Strategist for the LGBT Project
Public Education Strategist, ACLU
*******
Recycled activist
Anna Mumford, prior to coming to ACLU, she worked for SEIU and for the John Edwards for President campagn
All because the CEO, a private citizen, expressed his opinion in an editorial?? He’s not even on the forefront of this issue. This guy must have had a bigger impact on this debate than previously thought...
We shopped at Whole Foods the first time ever last week. It’s in the next town, but we want to support this CEO.
I am guessing that Whole Foods is non-union and the Kroger down the street is a UFCW shop.....I’m just sayin’....
Back in the days when she had a job ( the New Wealth! ) my wife was in charge of selecting insurance plans for the 20-25 employees under her.
She had only heard a little of this dust-up, so I gave her our database link to read... and bear in mind, she used to be a Democrat, and union member.
She read over the CEO’s plan, line by line, and largely agreed with it, asking, “what’s the problem with this?”
I explained, “Thou Shan’t disagree with the New, Improved Black Jesus, lest his legions descend upon you...”
1. Contact your local Whole Foods: Store Locator Here.
Ask for the store manager and express your support for John Mackey. Shop hearty (hey, if nothing else you can load up on bulk lentils) and let the Obama lovers who work there know you are concerned with extreme far Left tactics.
2. E mail Whole Foods General Corporate Headquarters LINK.
3. John Mackey’s e mail address is:
john.mackey@wholefoods.com
4. Leave a message at corporate headquarters: 512 477 5566.
5. Fax them at 512 482 7000.
Lastly, the other great reason for doing things like this is that it feels good! By expressing my opinion, I felt like I was doing something, and was a great antidote for powerlessness.
And anyway I really do love the salad bar there (not arugula though).
We shopped at Whole Foods for the first time over the weekend. Pricier than some of the others but great selection. As long as the Stalinists continue to attack this company we will continue to go across town and give them some business.
Whole Foods does hire off duty cops to provide security at their stores, and they are typically in uniform.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.