Nine Former Furr's Markets in New Mexico to Remain Under UFCW Contracts
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 24, 2001--Local 1564 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union today announced that it had negotiated to retain nine former Furr's supermarkets under union contract.
Union President Diane Vigil-Kimberle said that Smith's Food and Drug had agreed to union contracts for seven former Furr's stores. Raley's markets has agreed to two
stores under contract.
Of the some 650 union members employed in the nine stores, Vigil-Kimberle said that the new storeowners would hire a large majority of the current employees. Many
of them are already at work in the stores.
``Interviews of all employees are already underway. Those who are hired will maintain current rates of pay, will have their health benefits maintained, and will keep their
contributions in their existing pension plans. Both Smith's and Raley's also agreed to grant vacations as previously earned at Furr's to those members still employed after
one year,'' said Vigil-Kimberle.
The seven Smith's stores, with approximately 500 Local 1564 members, all former Furr's, are 875, 876, 879, 884 in Albuquerque; 891 in Santa Fe; 897 in Los Alamos;
and 899 in Socorro.
The Raley's stores are the former Furr's 874 in Albuquerque and 896 in Taos.
Union President Diane Vigil-Kimberle said that Smith's Food and Drug had agreed to union contracts for seven former Furr's stores. Raley's markets has agreed to two
stores under contract.
Of the some 650 union members employed in the nine stores, Vigil-Kimberle said that the new storeowners would hire a large majority of the current employees. Many
of them are already at work in the stores.
``Interviews of all employees are already underway. Those who are hired will maintain current rates of pay, will have their health benefits maintained, and will keep their
contributions in their existing pension plans. Both Smith's and Raley's also agreed to grant vacations as previously earned at Furr's to those members still employed after
one year,'' said Vigil-Kimberle.
The seven Smith's stores, with approximately 500 Local 1564 members, all former Furr's, are 875, 876, 879, 884 in Albuquerque; 891 in Santa Fe; 897 in Los Alamos;
and 899 in Socorro.
The Raley's stores are the former Furr's 874 in Albuquerque and 896 in Taos.