Sunday, August 30, 2009

MCGEO Takes on Whole Foods

The Municipal and County Government Employees Organization (MCGEO) has begun leafletting at Whole Foods stores to protest its CEO's comments against President Obama's health care initiative. MCGEO's parent organization, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), represents hundreds of thousands of grocery store workers across North America. Following is a press release from the union.


Media Contact: Amy Millar 240-876-1660

WHOLE FOODS CEO’S EFFORTS TO UNDERMINE OBAMA HEALTH CARE REFORM DRAWS WIDESPREAD CONDEMNATION

Health care activists and labor groups to take online efforts to the stores; groups provide information about CEO’s extreme position on reform to Whole Foods shoppers

Gaithersburg– In response to a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed by Whole Foods’ Chief Executive Officer John Mackey, activists, consumers and labor groups around the country have been organizing in opposition to his efforts to undermine meaningful health care reform.

Over the course of the next few weeks, members and staff from the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) will be disseminating educational information to Whole Foods shoppers. The purpose of these efforts will be to set the record straight about health care reform and to raise serious concerns about Whole Foods CEO’s position on this critical issue. These events will be part of a series of regional educational efforts being planned for the coming weeks.

The UFCW passed out leaflets about Mackey’s position at the Whole Foods in Gaithersburg at 316 Kentlands Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD from 3:00 to 5:00 on August 25.

For UFCW members, health care reform is a top legislative priority. UFCW members around the country are organizing and mobilizing their communities in support of comprehensive health care reform.


Caption: Despite heavy police presence, shoppers on their way in and out of the Gaithersburg Whole Foods store were receptive to Local 1994's message.

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