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HARRISON, N.Y. Food City Supervisor Adam Katz said that protestors of the supermarket are giving off the wrong impression about the business to potential customers.
Protestors stood on West Street by the Food City parking lot holding signs that read Dont support Food City, they dont support their employees. Protestor Nick Marmo said the purpose of the protest is to go against the fact that Food City employees are not unionized.
They give out non-negotiated contracts, which is unfair, Marmo said. They are taking money for medical benefits and pensions, which a lot of their employees cannot afford.
But Katz refuted the claim and said that Food City pays its employees three to four times more than the average supermarket worker makes in the region, noting that Food City pays for all employees healthcare and pensions. Katz added that Food City and its employees are in negotiations about wages, which neither side has come to an agreement on yet.
They are asking for way too much and will not budge on their demands, Katz said. We cant afford to run a business on those salaries. Now they are badmouthing Food City and not telling the truth.
According to Katz, Food City employees are divided on the issue of wages, with some supporting the supermarket and others wanting the same thing as the protestors. But Katz said that the protests have not really affected the business.
Calls to Ray Vetrano, union representative area director for Local Union 338 (Retail, Wholesale, Department Store) were not returned by press time.
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