Dear Ralphs Member:
Since Dave Hirz became Ralphs’ president in 2004, he’s done everything he can to brainwash his employees — “town hall” meetings, “Breakfasts with Dave,” letters to employees, worker-directed websites, “Ask Dave” hotlines and more.
Most of his egomaniac blather is transparent nonsense. You and your coworkers don’t need Dave Hirz to tell you about what’s happening in the stores. You live the truth every day.
Despite his many promises to “fix the contract,” Hirz has resisted your union’s attempts to eliminate the two-tier system (he now claims to love it) and has stated that he wants your health benefits plan to remain “cost neutral”. It is another example of his interest in profits rather than people.
He had a chance to get involved personally in our contract negotiations, but instead he has sent an out-of-town Labor Relations guy from Kroger to do his dirty work.
Now he is questioning your union’s motives for taking a strike vote against Albertsons. Why does that concern him? Ralphs and Albertsons are bargaining separately.
If Hirz is interested in other companies, he should look at Stater Bros., which treats its employees right. If he doesn’t think Stater Bros.’ contract meets the needs of his “team members,” he can offer the contract to his employees and let them decide.
Dave Hirz has betrayed his employees. Why should they believe anything he says? If you want the truth — from people like you who work in the stores — visit www.respectufcw.com, read The Worker or talk to your union rep.
In Solidarity,