HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-019 - Boycott of All El Super MarketsRESOLUTION NO. 2015 -019
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA SUPPORTING THE BOYCOTT OF ALL EL
SUPER MARKETS DUE TO INADEQUATE WAGES AND
BENEFITS AND POOR HEALTH STANDARDS.
WHEREAS, El Super is a food retailer that began operations in 1997. They have
49 stores in California, Nevada and Arizona, including five (5) in Orange County; and
Whereas, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) represents hundreds
of employees at El Super stores throughout Southern California, including El Super
stores 6 and 23 which are located in the City of Santa Ana; and
Whereas, The UFCW has called a consumer boycott of El Super markets in
protest of El Super's refusal to negotiate a fair contract for their workers; and
Whereas, El Super employs low -wage and predominantly Latino workers form
this community who have been working without a fair union agreement since September
2013; and
Whereas, El Super workers are fighting for good jobs in our community, seeking
adequate paid sick leave, seniority rights, guaranteed 40 -hour work -weeks for full -time
employees, and a fair wage; and
Whereas, El Super implemented its "last, best and final offer" without fulfilling its
bargaining obligations, and after workers told them it was unacceptable by voting
overwhelmingly to reject it and authorizing their union to call a strike if necessary; and
Whereas, El Super's "last, best and final" offer provides for less paid sick leave
than is currently mandated by California state law; and
Whereas, on December 12, 2014 El Super workers voted — by a more than 3 -1
majority — in favor of continued UFCW representation; and
Whereas, El Super workers voted overwhelmingly in favor of union
representation in the face of and aggressive "Vote No" campaign by the company that
include captive audience meetings conducted by El Super CEO Carlos A. Smith; and
Whereas, after the recertification vote, the union promptly sent a letter to the
company asking for them to return to the bargaining table; and
Whereas, El Super outright rejected that request, refusing to meet its legal
bargaining obligations; and
Resolution No. 2015 -019
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Whereas, Fermin Rodriguez, a cashier with nine years of quality service with the
company who was an outspoken supporter of the El Super workers' both at the
bargaining table and on the picket line was recently terminated by the employer for his
statements in support of his fellow workers; and
Whereas, Community Groups, Orange County Communities Organized for
Responsible Development (OCCORD) Los Amigos of Orange County, and Hermandad
Mexicana Humanitarian Foundation (HMHF) and others throughout Orange County, Los
Angeles County, & San Bernardino County have endorsed the UFCW's boycott, as they
found that El Super is not only disrespectful to is workforce but to the community which
it serves. They have added their voice to highlight that County health inspectors, over a
seven -month period in 2014, identified and documented over 340 violations of
environmental health regulations established to protect consumers and public health.
NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA
DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, ORDER AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Santa Ana City Council endorses the call for a consumer
boycott of El Super markets.
Section 2. The Santa Ana City Council supports the creation of good jobs in
our communities that provide living wages, adequate paid sick leave, seniority
protections, and enough guaranteed hours so full -time workers can earn enough to
support their families.
Section 3. The Santa Ana City Council calls upon El Super to return to the
bargaining table and enter into an agreement that meets those goals.
Section 4. The Santa Ana City Council calls upon El Super markets to uphold
and maintain the highest standards with respect to the cleanliness and maintenance of
their facilities in the interest of this community's public health.
Section 5. The Santa Ana City Council pledges to honor the boycott lines,
spread the word about the boycott within the community, and ask constituents to
support the boycott by joining workers on the boycott line and visit
www.boycottelsuper.org and fill out the support letter to company CEO Carlos A. Smith.
Section 6. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by
the City Council, and the Clerk of the Council shall attest to and certify the vote adopting
this Resolution.
ADOPTED this 21St day of April, 2015.
Resolution No. 2015 -019
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Q- &vdk�r
Sonia R. Carvalho,
City Attorney
AYES: Councilmembers: Amezcua, Benavides, Pulido, Reyna,
Sarmiento, Tinaiero (6)
NOES: Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers: None (0)
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers: Martinez (1)
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, MARIA D. HUIZAR, Clerk of the Council do hereby attest to and certify the attached
Resolution No 2015 -019 to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the
City of Santa Ana on April 21, 2015.
Date C% ar 0, 5
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Clerk of the Council
City of Santa Ana
Resolution No. 2015 -019
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