deal deal
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Royal Ahold has 218,000 employees. All of them should be treated equally when it comes to basic human rights. Yet, the reality for many Ahold workers is one of a company that fails, by several measures, to uphold those very same fundamental rights. In the United States, management at the Giant Carlisle division is actively campaigning to prevent 30,000 workers from having a free and fair choice whether or not to join a union. In the Netherlands, more than 50% of the workforce at Albert Heijn distribution centers are temporary workers without contracts, despite the fact that the company’s collective labor agreement with FNV Bondgenoten allows only 23%. The Ahold workers profiled in this brochure tell the story of Royal Ahold’s failure to live up to its own high standards. They explain the price they pay for management’s unfair treatment of workers on both sides of the Atlantic. Workers are scared, angry, dismayed, and, most importantly, concerned. They worry that management is forgetting its principles, discounting the value of employees, and losing its way. And they worry especially about the impact on the bottom line, because they know that their future is inextricably tied to the long-term prosperity of the company they have worked so hard to make a success. Workers know that Royal Ahold has pledged to implement the UN Global Compact throughout its operations. That means management will respect workers’ basic rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining without interference. Yet, management’s unfair treatment clearly violates the 2
international labor standards the company claims to uphold. Such violations carry real risks to the company, including the possibility of sanctions from international bodies, reputational damage, workplace conflict, reduced productivity, poor service, and lost customers. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) is an important stakeholder in Royal Ahold, representing 70,000 of its workers. Despite multiple requests at every level, including the corporate executive board, management has refused to meet with UFCW to discuss how Giant Carlisle workers can exercise their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining without management interference. FNV Bondgenoten wants Ahold to uphold the collective agreements in the Netherlands that cover about 100,000 workers and decrease the number of temporary and part-time workers it employs. FNV Bondgenoten also wants Ahold workers to be able to exercise their freedom of association and for the company to respect workers’ participation rights.
Ahold must live up to its promise and give all employees the same fundamental rights. After all, afspraak is afspraak. Please support workers’ rights at Ahold. Fill in the Royal Ahold pledge card and put it in the collection box. Thank you. For more information: www.aholdatrisk.org or www.isditeerlijk.nl 3
I have worked at Martin’s (Giant Carlisle/ Ahold) for seven years, five years when it was Ukrop’s and two since Ahold bought it and changed it to Martin’s. I am 73 years old and retired from many jobs. I have worked in places where workers have a union and I know firsthand the difference it makes to have a union. That’s why I talk to my coworkers about joining together to form one now. Unfortunately, I fell ill and had to go on extended sick leave. Before I left, I could talk to my coworkers about forming a union at Martin’s (Giant Carlisle) and many were receptive. But when I returned, no one would talk to me about it anymore. It turned out that management held an anti-union meeting while I was away. My coworkers are scared. Martin’s (Giant Carlisle) must be hiding something if they don’t want us to have a union.
GEORGE MILES PRODUCE CLERK/MARTIN’S (GIANT CARLISLE ) MIDLOTHIAN, VIRGINIA 4
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Albert Heijn staat bij de klanten voor kwaliteit. Dat
is in de distributiecentra niet het geval, daar telt alleen de productiviteit. Het gaat er om dat je
voldoende pallets haalt of dat veilig gebeurt of niet. Van elke tien medewerkers hebben er zes geen vaste baan, da’s toch niet normaal? Terwijl wij, de distributiemedewerkers het hart zijn van elke Albert Heijn winkel, zonder distributie immers geen verse melk in de schappen.
Robert allrounder, fulltimer Distributiecentrum Geldermalsen
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When Martin’s (Giant Carlisle/Ahold) came into Richmond, Virginia they brought noticeable changes that had a negative impact on workers and the community. Our store lost the family feel that workers and the customers experienced under Ukrop’s (the previous owner). Martin’s (Giant Carlisle) made me attend an anti-union meeting where a representative from the corporate headquarters told us that supporting a union is a bad idea. I believe my coworkers are now afraid they will get in trouble, or even fired, if they support forming a union. I am determined to keep fighting for my right to unite with my coworkers. When I worked at Ukrop’s, I used to go to work with a smile on my face because I felt more involved and appreciated. It was like a family and I was proud to work there. Since Ahold took over, I don’t smile anymore. Now it’s just a job.
Shaquana Battle Cashier/Martin’s (Giant Carlisle) Richmond, Virginia 8
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Veel collega’s dromen net als ik van een vast contract. En terecht, ik droom ook van meer uren. Duidelijkheid iedere maand op mijn loonstrookje. En niet iedere keer weer afwachten hoeveel uren ik waar werk. Ik ben niet de enige, voor Albert Heijn is het gewoon beleid, ze geven mensen een klein vast contract en houden ze lekker klein. Ze zijn juist groot door ons, wij doen wat zij beloven.
Ali parttime allround medewerker Distributiecentrum Geldermalsen
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I enjoy working with my coworkers at Martin’s (Giant Carlisle/ Ahold). I have worked at my store for 4 years but things took a turn for the worse since Ahold bought our store.
I was forced to attend an anti-union meeting led by my manager. After the meeting, my manager came up to me and told me that I should never consider joining a union because he was a union member for more than 20 years and that unions are bad for workers. I disagree with him. Many workers in my store want a union but the company tells them that having a union is bad for workers. Workers are afraid to lose their jobs if they go against the company. I believe that Martin’s (Giant Carlisle) doesn’t want us to have a union because they want to be able to control us. At other stores Ahold owns, workers are part of a union. I feel like we are being dealt the shorter end of the stick at Martin’s (Giant Carlisle) and that is not fair.
Clifton Cooper Cashier/Martin’s (Giant Carlisle) Petersburg, Virginia 12
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Als Poolse uitzendkracht ben ik inwisselbaar en voor de Nederlandse samenleving besta ik niet. Als je mazzel hebt mag je een jaartje blijven maar dan mag je weer ophoepelen voor zes maanden want anders moeten ze je bij Albert Heijn een contract aanbieden. En als je de norm een keer niet haalt of je bent lastig mag je eerder naar huis. Wij willen graag
aan het werk zonder opjaagbonus en met contract.
Rafal orderpicker Distributiecentrum Zwolle
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My father and brother are longtime union activists. I was raised in a union household and I know what having a union in the workplace is about. I am really surprised by all the anti-union behavior that is happening at my store. I was busy working one day when my store manager came up to me, handed me an anti-union letter and began a conversation with me about why forming a union isn’t good for workers. The letter he handed out to me and all of my coworkers listed many reasons why my coworkers and I should not form a union. My manager proceeded to tell me that the business his uncle worked for was closed down because of a union. I know my manager had the same conversation with my coworkers because they are confused and scared. I do not think it is right that the managers at Martin’s (Giant Carlisle) can tell people these lies.
Tracey Barrentine Coffee Shop Barista/Martin’s (Giant Carlisle) Stephen City, Virginia 16
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Door die leuke reclame spotjes lijkt het net of bij alle AH winkels altijd dezelfde mensen werken. Dat klopt helemaal niet,
zoek maar eens een vakkenvuller die ouder is dan 18. Die vind je niet, te duur voor Albert Heijn. Aan de kassa het zelfde verhaal. Terwijl de klant juist het vertrouwde gezicht wil.
Mitchell winkelmedewerker Almere
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afspraak is afspraak
