Hundreds of jobs will be lost due to A&P bankruptcy

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union is concerned that hundreds of workers across Long Island will lose their jobs now that the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company — A&P — has filed for bankruptcy. UFCW is the largest private-sector union in the nation, and represents the 30,000 workers at A&P.

Montvale-Para Holdings, which owns A&P, Waldbaum’s, Superfresh, Pathmark, Food Basics, Food Emporium and Best Cellars, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time, and plans to close 25 stores and sell others. Among the stores that are closing for good are the Waldbaum’s on Long Beach Road in Oceanside, which will affect 88 employees, and the Pathmark on Grand Avenue in Baldwin, which has 128.

“As difficult as this bankruptcy process is, our message to A&P is a simple one,” the union stated in a press release. “We expect A&P to do what is right by members and their families.”

Stop & Shop is buying 25 stores in New York and New Jersey, including the Waldbaum’s in Long Beach. The Key Food Cooperative and Acme Markets, which own Albertsons and Safeway, are buying another 95 stores. A&P wants the other 150 stores it now owns to be sold as well, and is actively seeking buyers.

Union lawyers are in negotiations with A&P as well as the companies that are buying its stores to see what can be done to keep their members employed as long as possible.

Union spokesman Amy Gray said the UFCW was surprised by court documents that state that the buyers do not have to honor the contracts between A&P and its unions or landlords. Gray said that some of the buyers already have contracts with the UFCW, so some workers should be able to transfer to new employers with little trouble.

UFCW International President Marc Perrone said, “Looking ahead, we will work cooperatively and constructively with anyone, but we will fight back with everything we have if A&P or its financial backers attempt to further exploit our members. For A&P to ask our members to give up their rights and benefits is simply unacceptable.”

Perrone criticized the management of A&P for mismanagement and strategic mistakes. “In fact, what will make these stores a true financial success is new and responsible management, not more sacrifices by A&P’s hardworking men and women,” he said. “If A&P, its executive team or its investors want to play the blame game, they should all look in the mirror.”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) protects workers, their families, and communities by requiring most employers with 100 or more employees to provide notification 60 calendar days in advance of plant closings and mass layoffs.” Employees in the five closing stores have received WARN letters saying they will be laid off between Oct.19 and Nov. 1, when the stores will close.