Former Waldbaum's Workers in East Hampton, Southampton Will Keep Their Jobs, Benefits

Employees of the former Waldbaum’s supermarkets in East Hampton and Southampton seem to have lucked out compared to their counterparts in Westhampton Beach, who could very well find themselves unemployed soon.

While the fate of those employees remains in question—Best Yet Market, the winning bidder for the Westhampton Beach supermarket, does not employ unionized workers, as does the current Waldbaum’s—their counterparts east of the Shinnecock Canal are going to get to keep their jobs, and all of the benefits that come with them, as they are set to be acquired by the Stop & Shop chain, which does hire union workers.

United Food & Commercial Workers Local 342 Director Kelly Egan, who represents the employees at all three local supermarkets, explained this week that Stop & Shop officials intend not only to keep the former Waldbaum’s employees but also will maintain their rate of pay and keep their benefits intact.

“Stop & Shop was willing to take them, and that is what we want from every employer,” Ms. Egan said. “We just want supermarkets who are willing to take the workers in the store, because they know the people in the area, they are familiar with the area, and they are experienced in that store.”

Union employees at both the East Hampton and Southampton supermarkets were excited to learn the news, according to Ms. Egan. “The members were over the moon, because that is not happening in every area,” she said.

Arlene Putterman, the manager of public and community relations for Stop & Shop, explained that supermarket representatives are still conducting interviews with the Waldbaum’s employees. While most have chosen to come on board and work for Stop & Shop, not all of the workers will be following suit.

“For the associates we are hiring from the A&P stores we are acquiring, we will honor their seniority and benefits accordingly,” Ms. Putterman said. “For instance, if they were entitled to a number of vacation days based on years of service, they will not lose them when they start working with us.”

Beth Thompson, an employee of the now-closed East Hampton Waldbaum’s, confirmed that she and others will get to keep their benefits and union. She noted that Stop & Shop is also hiring new workers who have no prior supermarket experience. Those hires, according to Ms. Thompson, will eventually become part of United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1500.

Representatives of United Food & Commercial Workers Local 342, who represent the estimated 80 employees of the Westhampton Beach Waldbaum’s, announced last week that they are circulating a petition in an attempt to derail Best Yet Market’s acquisition of their store. Specifically, union members are appealing to U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Drain and ask that he reject the chain’s bid on the Sunset Avenue supermarket and, instead, award the store to the second highest bidder, New Jersey-based Kings Food Market, because that chain hires unionized workers. The group must present its petition to the bankruptcy court before this Friday, October 16.

Ms. Egan reiterated this week that her union would like for the Best Yet Market company to recognize how many people were employed by the now-bankrupt Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, the New Jersey company that owned Waldbaum’s and several other supermarkets. She added that an estimated 30,000 people could end up losing their jobs and benefits.

“We hope every supermarket that buys those A&P stores is going to take those workers,” she said. “They will be glad they got these people.”