ITEM PRICING & JOBS ... AFL-CIO
ufcw791.org
In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, state law requires supermarkets to individually price mark products, with some exceptions. For several years now the Massachusetts Food Association, which is comprised of companies like Shaw’s and Stop & Shop, have pushed legislation that would eliminate the current item pricing laws and replace it with electronic shelf labels. They claim they want the change because electronic shelf labels are more accurate, we feel they are proposing it to save on labor costs. Thus far we have been successful in defeating this legislation.
The elimination of the current item pricing laws, as a result of being replaced with electronic shelf tags, will have an adverse affect on jobs. There are a number of service clerk jobs and hours in each store that are attributed to price changes. Future full time job opportunities will be eliminated if item pricing laws are changed. If these jobs are eliminated it is highly unlikely new full time opportunities will be created. Furthermore, people displaced will be absorbed in other departments, mainly the front end. It is likely that hours in every department will be cut because as we all know the company is looking to cut hours. Part time employees who are getting 20-30 hours per week could have their hours drastically reduced. This reduction may affect the health care benefits for many part-timers.
Furthermore, it is doubtful the consumer will get any savings as a result of the implementation of electronic shelf tags. If item pricing is eliminated, no longer will the consumer be able to pick up an item to see if the price is accurate. Consumers will be forced to look at the shelf tag and if a mistake is made on the pricing of an item the consumer will have no way of knowing because the items are not individually marked and this will make shopping a nightmare for today’s consumer. Since state law requires that item pricing be 98% accurate we feel it is a solid proven system that is beneficial to consumers.
UFCW Local 791 is highly concerned about the adverse affect the elimination of item pricing will have on jobs. For these reasons, we remain vehemently opposed and will continue to fight any legislation that will result in the elimination of item pricing.
Call your state senator and state representative today and tell them to oppose any bill that will eliminate the item pricing laws in Massachusetts.
For further information please call Peter Derouen at the union office at 1-800-535-2752. |
