Kennedy lends his support to Stop & Shop workers at Fall River rally

FALL RIVER — The picket line outside Stop & Shop became a full-fledged political rally Monday afternoon as elected officials such as U.S. Rep Joseph Kennedy III spoke in support of protesting workers Kennedy said had been “stabbed in the back” by their employer.

Kennedy, as well as U.S. Rep. Bill Keating and state Sen. Paul Feeney, spoke passionately on the plight of the thousands of Stop & Shop union workers currently on strike across New England after contract negotiations fell through. Union members have criticized the store’s parent company, Ahold Delhaize, for having taken in $2 billion in profits at the same time employees are receiving wage increases they say don’t make up for increasing health insurance premiums. That sentiment was echoed by the politicians at the rally.

“This fight that you are fighting here is being played out on the front lines in community after community across our country and that fight has come to our doorstep,” said Kennedy.

Keating also pointed out that the protest playing out on Mariano Bishop Boulevard represented a struggle with corporate greed across the United States.

“It’s a lot bigger than this store, this chain and your effort,” he said, referencing health care and retirement costs. “These are American values on the line and they are trying to divide us.”

In a statement released by Stop & Shop on Sunday, the company said it “deeply appreciated the valuable role our associates play in creating a great experience for you. They are a part of your lives, a part of our community and key to our success. That’s why it is so important for us to continue to provide a fair contract for the associates that work in this store.”

The statement went on to say the company promised wage increases “for all associates,” though it did not specify by how much. Stop & Shop also claims it will keep health care benefits below market costs, with premiums only increasing by $2 for individuals and $4 for families per week each year of the contract.

Congressman Joe Kennedy addressing union workers outside Stop & Shop in#FallRiverpic.twitter.com/TO6HSLBzKT

— Peter Jasinski (@PeterJasinski53)April 15, 2019

Feeney, himself a former union worker for Verizon, recounted the strikes he had been a part of and addressed the crowd of union employees as “brothers and sisters.”

“You are on ground zero. You are on the vanguard against corporate greed,” he shouted to the crowd. “This didn’t start here at Stop & Shop, but it will end here at Stop & Shop!”

Chanting from the crowd followed as accusatory fingers pointed toward the nearby supermarket and picketers shouted “Shame on you!”

The protest, which began last week, is now in its sixth day.

Yvonne Bento, a prepared foods employee at the Somerset Stop & Shop, said she has been working for the company 20 years while making $20.77 an hour.

“Now they claim they’re going to give me a raise of 50 cents for me to give it all back on my health care,” she said. “Shame on them because I give them 100 percent of my energy, my work.”

Not everyone who attended Monday’s rally were Stop & Shop employees or elected officials. Roughly a dozen other unions were present. Fairhaven resident Diana Painter stood at the edge of the crowd, holding a large flag that said “Resist Injustice.” Her only tie to the protest was that she is a regular Stop & Shop customer who wanted to lend her support.

“I even brought my Market Basket receipt to show that they didn’t get the $130 I just spent on groceries,” she said. “What I care about are my community members and making sure they’re being treated fairly.”

According to a Stop & Shop spokesperson, contract negotiations were scheduled to resume Monday.

Closing his address to protestors Monday, Kennedy reiterated that his support is behind them.

“Whatever you need, you’ve got it from us 100 percent,” he said. “Keep fighting. We’re fighting with you.”