Grocery worker ordinance
approved by Board of Supervisors

By Aldrich M. Tan

April 26, 2006

The Board of Supervisors unanimously passed an ordinance protecting local grocery employers on first reading at Tuesday's meeting.

Spearheaded by Supervisor Fiona Ma, the Grocery Worker Retention Ordinance requires grocery employers to retain their employees for 90 days upon change in control of the grocery store.

"We need to value the good work and experiences of these employees and protect as many jobs as we can," Ma said.

The ordinance's passing is a victory for local grocery employees, said Michael Sharpe, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local No. 648

"Today is a great day for the men and women who work hard in this industry and are citizens of the city," Sharpe said.

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