An update from President Cook to all Shop ‘n Save employees at stores not purchased by Schnucks:
“As of this posting we currently have store closing negotiations scheduled with Shop ‘n Save. I want to emphasize that everything listed below is a guaranteed. On the evening of Monday, September 17th your employer served their official “warn notice” to Local 655. Therefore your employment, or pay in lieu thereof, is guaranteed through November 19, 2018. The provisions outlined in the contract below will commence after November 19. Having experienced this myself early in my career, during the Kroger sale, I understand the uncertainty, fear, and concern each of you and your families have. My main concern today is working to ensure security for your future. If you’ve not signed up for our texting program, text ‘join’ to 738-674. It is the best way to communicate with you in these uncertain times. I will continue to send texts, telleblasts, and schedule a telle-townhall conference calls in the coming days, weeks, and months, as developments take place.”
**SPECIAL NOTICE: THERE WILL BE A TELEPHONE TOWNHALL WITH PRESIDENT DAVID COOK CONDUCTED THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 AT 7PM AND FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 AT 10AM. IF WE HAVE A PHONE NUMBER ON FILE FOR YOU, YOU WILL RECEIVE A CALL FROM LOCAL 655. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A CALL YOU CAN JOIN THE CALL ANY TIME TOLL FREE AT is 855-840-6970. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM LOCAL 655 AND ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE**
Stores set to close:
Shop ‘n Save Store 4201 N Belt W Belleville, IL 62223
Shop ‘n Save Store 943 S State St Jerseyville, IL 62052
Shop ‘n Save Store & Store Support Center 10461 Manchester Rd , Kirkwood, MO 63122
Shop ‘n Save Store 3521 Nameoki Rd Granite City IL 62040
Shop ‘n Save Store 1028 Camp Jackson Rd Cahokia, IL 62206
Shop ‘n Save Store 15446 Manchester Rd Ellisville, MO 63011
Shop ‘n Save Store 10461 Manchester Rd Kirkwood, MO 63122
Shop ‘n Save Store 175 Flower Valley Shopping Center Florissant, MO 63033
Shop ‘n Save Store 4660 Chippewa St St. Louis, MO 63116
Shop ‘n Save Store 196 Mayfair Plaza Florissant, MO 63033
Shop ‘n Save Store 10805 Old Halls Ferry Rd Ferguson, MO 63136
Shop ‘n Save Store 1023 Crossroad S Place High Ridge, MO 63049
Shop ‘n Save Store 9521 Lewis & Clark Blvd St. Louis, MO 63136
Shop ‘n Save Store 1144 Meramec Station Rd Ballwin, MO 63021
Shop ‘n Save Store 301 Watson Rd St. Louis, MO 63126
Stores Closing: What your contract says
Stores not currently purchased will close no later than November 19. If a buyer is not found at that time, they will be closed. If your store is closed, there is some vital information you need to know. (Please note this information can be found in your current contract under Article 22 on page 35. Critical portions concerning severance pay have been emphasized)
ARTICLE 22- STORE CLOSING
Section 22.1 In the event the Company closes or sells a store and employees are terminated as a result thereof, pay equal to one (1) week of pay for each year of continuous service commencing with the third (3rd) year of continuous service for employees averaging twenty-five (25) or more hours per week and the fifth (5th) year for employees averaging less than twenty-five (25) hours per week up to but not to exceed eight (8) weeks of pay at their regular rate. However, those employees who have an incomplete year of continuous service as an employee, will receive pro-rata severance pay for that year as follows:
0 – 3 months equals twenty-five percent (25%) of a week of pay.
3 – 6 months equals fifty percent (50%) of a week of pay.
6 – 9 months equals seventy-five percent (75%) of a week of pay.
Over nine (9) months equals one (1) week of pay.
Severance pay shall be computed based on the average hours worked per week for the fifty-two (52) weeks preceding a voluntary layoff or termination.
Section 22.2 The Company shall continue contributions to the Pension and Health and Welfare Trust Fund for three (3) full months following termination for those employees who were eligible for coverage at the time of their termination. This does not apply to those employees who secure employment with a contributing Company in the Pension and Health and Welfare Trust Fund who makes a payment on their behalf for the first three (3) full months.
Section 22.3 Employees who are eligible for severance pay shall be entitled to holiday pay for calendar holidays that fall within thirty (30) days after their termination.
All employees who are terminated as a result of store closing shall receive pay for earned personal holidays and earned pro-rata vacation in accordance with the provisions of Article 17, Section 17.9.
Section 22.4 All monies due employees shall be paid in a lump sum upon termination.
Section 22.5 An employee who is terminated and who is eligible for severance pay, and accepts severance pay, forfeits the employee’s seniority and has no recall rights. However, an employee may elect to accept a voluntary layoff not to exceed ninety (90) days. At the end of the ninety (90) day period if the employee has not been recalled, the employee will be paid severance pay and forfeit the employee’s seniority. Any extensions of this ninety (90) day period must be agreed in writing and signed by the employee, a representative of the Union, and the Company. In no case will such extension exceed a total of six (6) months from the date the employee accepted the layoff.
Section 22.6 If an employee is offered a transfer within thirty (30) miles of the store in which the employee was last working, and the job is comparable (similar type of work and similar number of hours worked per week) and the employee refuses to accept the transfer, the employee shall forfeit all rights to severance pay, holiday pay and Pension and Health and Welfare contributions.
Section 22.7 If a store is sold and the successor Company offers employment to an employee who is otherwise eligible for severance pay under the terms of this Article, and the new job is comparable, then Section 22.1 of the Article shall not apply. Comparable is defined as:
A. Similar type of work.
B. Similar number of hours [i.e., an employee’s average weekly hours for the first thirteen (13) weeks of employment with a new Company is at least within two (2) hours of the average weekly hours worked for the prior fifty-two (52) weeks for the former Company].
C. Rate of pay is not less than one (1) bracket below their current rate of pay.
Section 22.8 The Company agrees to give to the employees and the Union three (3) weeks notice in advance of a store closing or sale. When such notice is given, an employee shall remain with the Company or forfeit the employee’s rights under this Article unless mutually agreed to by the employee, Company and Union. Failure of the Company to give the required three (3) weeks notice shall result in the payment of three (3) weeks pay to the employees terminated as a result of the store closing.
Section 22.9 No benefits shall accrue under the terms of this Article unless the Company makes a business decision to close or sell a store. If a store closing is caused by fire, flood, storm, or condemnation, then this Article shall not apply.
Section 22.10 Employees who are eligible for severance pay and accept a transfer to a lower rated job will maintain their present rate or the rate for the contract covering the area to which they are transferred, whichever is greater.
Department Managers who are displaced as a result of store closing shall maintain their present rate of pay for a period of ninety (90) days and thereafter will be placed on the appropriate contract rate.
