Sheboygan-based Piggly Wiggly Midwest to close store (union demands)

Sheboygan Press ^ | 6/12/12 | Staff

[Jean S]

Sheboygan-based Piggly Wiggly Midwest notified the state on Tuesday it intends to close its south-side Sheboygan store by Sept. 1, the same store that had been the subject of a recent complaint by the United Food and Commercial Workers union.

The closing would result in the loss of 108 jobs at the store at 3124 South Business Drive, the notice to the state Department of Workforce Development said. Workers would not be offered bumping rights to other locations.

The letter was signed by Piggly Wiggly President Paul Butera, who addressed a copy to Sheboygan Mayor Terry Van Akkeren.

In May, a National Labor Relations Board administrative law judge ordered the company to restore full-time status and benefits to represented employees at the store whose hours were reduced without bargaining with their union.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1473 accused Piggly Wiggly Midwest of violating federal labor laws and not bargaining in good faith last September when it reduced hours for 19 of its represented employees shortly after the union’s labor deal expired.

Federal labor laws require employers to provide labor unions prior notice of such changes and an opportunity to bargain, which the company did not do, the union alleged.

The judge’s decision is subject to appeal.

Employees have been working without a labor contract since Sept. 7, 2011.

Following the judge’s ruling in May, a company attorney said the company was exploring all options related to the future of the south side Sheboygan store, including the viability of continued operations there.

Butera, Van Akkeren or union representatives could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.

Piggly Wiggly Midwest supplies more than 102 grocery stores in Wisconsin and northern Illinois, most of which are operated by independent franchisees.

[crosshairs]

[gorush]

Affectionately known as the “Wobbly Sow” around here.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Piggly Wiggly (abbreviated in my check register as Pig Wig — or on the street as “The Pig”) is a lot better than Sentry, Publix, Pick & Save. Not only are they lovely supermarkets, they do a lot for the towns where they are located — donate to all the charities, support 4th of July fireworks, allow the high schoolers to hold car washes there, etc., etc. They were a major sponsor just a couple of weeks ago of the Cedarburg Block Party — a community celebration because the date — 5-30-12 matched the town zip code 53012. Free ice cream, face painting, bands, entertainment, etc. I couldn’t go, but it sounded like a big success.

[RicocheT]

Yikes, I hope my local Pig can still get the mix to bake those great Sheboygan hard rolls. Great for burgers & brats. The union made a lot of its represented lose jobs.

[Owl558]

Is it wrong to enjoy hearing people say the word, “Sheboygan”?

Sheboygan, Sheboygan, Sheboygan, Sheboygan....

[Fiji Hill]

Groceries on the Shelf (Piggly Wiggly)--Lucille Bogan, 1933

I listened to some of the other old blues songs by her. Whoa, had no idea!

(If anyone else is tempted to listen to some of her other songs and is easily offended, don't...just don't.)

Thanks for introducing me to Lucille Bogan...I think. LOL Wonderful, strong voice and goes well with just the piano for accompaniment. But the lyrics...oh, my!

Piggly Wiggly used to generate complaints that it was putting small, family-owned stores out of business--as Wal-Mart does today. The song seems to reflect this sentiment.

[Fiji Hill]

There are Piggly Wiggly stores in Wisconsin?
Amazing. Do they sell chitlins by the ten gallon tub there, too?

I've never seen a Piggly Wiggly in California, but if you're hungry for a certain variety of boneless pork, you can get a big bag of frozen chitlins at the local Stater Brothers down the street from me here in North Orange County.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Wisconsin ping list — Sheboygan Piggly Wiggly closing in union dispute

FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.

[ozaukeemom]

There are a bunch in Wisconsin. I shop at one sometimes. Seems pretty much like other grocery stores.

[SwampFoxOfVa]

I remember going to a Piggly Wiggly as a five year old with my mother in the early ‘50s in Lafayette, IN. We would walk the few blocks to the store and pick up frash food for dinner. Those were the days.

SF

[RegulatorCountry]

The Piggly Wiggly stores in the southeast approach beloved institution status because they strive to cater specifically to the local taste and preference better than anyone else. Above and beyond the good corporate citizen aspect of involvement in local charities and events, I would not be surprised at all to see Cajun foods that would be regarded as obscure or even strange elsewhere being proudly stocked in Louisiana, or wild game and Ramps in southern Appalachia. They carry big tubs of chitlins, fresh ones not frozen, in the coastal plain of NC, SC, GA and perhaps other states because the market wants it. Population in those areas is over fifty percent black for one, and for another even the white folks there like them. It's not “hick” it's good business that has kept them in good stead for a century. Perhaps Wisconsin lacks highly regionalized preferences, but I doubt that. Every place has its quirks as far as food and consumer goods. Take someone from down here into one up there (and yes it is astonishing that there are Piggly Wiggly stores there), and the very localized nature of the products stocked might become more obvious.

[ozaukeemom]

Oh, I meant it in a good way. lol The people there are terrific and they try to cater to most everyone’s tastes. The deli area is great as far as items kind of local. I like that if I want a roast cut up or some bones for the dog, they are happy to help. Considering they are next to WalMart and across from Pick N Save, they are doing well to survive here. But, I know I can find things there that I cannot in Wally World.

[Kickass Conservative]

Didn't you ever see Close Encounters of the Third Kind?

One of the Trucks the Government Agencies used to move equipment to the Devils Tower Base was from Piggly Wiggly.

[pistolpackinpapa]

Workers would not be offered bumping rights to other locations.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

This little piggy has ba**s.

[pistolpackinpapa]

I wish Wisconsin would become a right-to-work state. This is horrible.
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Why everyone should move to TEXAS: Right to Work State / No State Income Tax. Come on down!

[pistolpackinpapa]

PW closes one store, doesn’t give transfer privileges to the employees, and employees in other union stores get the message.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This little piggy went to Market...oh wait... This little Piggy IS the market and this little piggy has ba**s.

[BOBWADE]

Years ago that happened with a steel company, Very sad and stupid. The union rep proclaimed victory while all his sheeple were left out of work.

[seekthetruth]

Too bad a Piggly Wiggly store isn't going up next to every mosque in America!

[knittnmom]

That makes sense - it’s the home of Johnsonville, well-known makers of brats.

[wideminded]

Is it wrong to enjoy hearing people say the word, “Sheboygan”?

In the classic comedy film Some Like it Hot the characters played by Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon claimed to have gone to the "Sheboygan Conservatory of Music". Obviously this location was selected for its funny sounding name as well as the fact that it sounds like the last place there would be a conservatory of music.

According to Wikipedia, besides the city of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, there is a separate town of Sheboygan, which is also in Wisconsin. There is also a city called Cheboygan in Michigan. Sheboygan is at the mouth of the Sheboygan River and Cheboygan is at the mouth of the Cheboygan River. More confusingly, there is also both a city and a town named Sheboygan Falls.