You might want to do your grocery shopping at safeway or Wegmans. Giant is doing away with fresh cut meats. They are building a facility in Pa, cutting and packing your steaks like Walmart and Target. They say it will be fresh, just ignore the funny taste.

Butcher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ...Giant is doing away with fresh cut meats...

Wow, is that right?

We get most of our meat from either Costco or one of the gajillion Asian markets but, on occasion, from Giant, too.

No more!

==========

Butchers are probably the highest paid Giant employees, I'd bet. They'll be "saving" a bundle by eliminating most of them.

Initially.

They already do that now with ground beef and chicken. Comes prepackaged around 1.13lbs or 3.3lbs. Good luck if you want 1.5lbs or 2 pounds. Seafood will be prepackaged as well. When they start prepackaging steaks and the rest of their meats next year, I will no longer shop their.

The Giant by us sucks ass. Shelves are stocked on Thursday night. By Saturday they are out of a lot of the sale items. They won't restock the shelves until the following Thursday.

Don't get me started on the non-english speakers that work there.

I miss the days when Giant was a family run business based in Landover. Shelves were never empty and employees were a lot more friendly.

link here:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pennsylvania-governor-corbett-ahold-usa-to-build-new-facility-in-harrisburg-region-create-hundreds-of-jobs-179

Meat cutters at your local Giant will be offered other jobs in different areas of the store at a significant reduction in salary.

What's "Giant"?

Alreadyhappening Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Meat cutters at your local Giant will be offered
> other jobs in different areas of the store at a
> significant reduction in salary.

Giant's a union shop (at least the one on Stone Road is) so I'd expect the "rules" require them to offer the meat cutters something or other.

Here's a working link to PA news:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pennsylvania-governor-corbett-ahold-usa-to-build-new-facility-in-harrisburg-region-create-hundreds-of-jobs-179121001.html

Comfort Food Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Alreadyhappening Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Meat cutters at your local Giant will be
> offered
> > other jobs in different areas of the store at a
> > significant reduction in salary.
>
> Giant's a union shop (at least the one on Stone
> Road is) so I'd expect the "rules" require them to
> offer the meat cutters something or other.


Why would you even bother with Giant ?, you can save about 35 to 40% by going to the Walmart another 5 minutes away. Open aisles, stocked shelves, no skateboarders or Stone road trash walking around shoplifting. Always walk up to an open cashier instead of waiting 10 minutes in line to watch a cashier walking the slow motion Green Mile as they do at Giant.

In what universe is your WalMart located?

Giant hasn't been Giant since Izzy Cohen died, so this shouldn't be a surprise.

wasting your hard earned money Wrote:
> Why would you even bother with Giant?

That's actually an entirely valid question and one we usually answer by "We don't".

However, our time is more valuable than money so when we're buying minimal things - like bread and milk - we go to Giant rather than Walmart/Generic Asian Market.

Giant for sure is expensive relative to just about anywhere so we avoid it for general grocery shopping - Costco for bulk, Generic Asian Market for fruit/veggies/usually meat/fish, Walmart for shampoo etc.

Since Giant is two stop lights and about a mile away, it's MUCH faster to get the bread/milk there than Walmart. Simple as that.

Wish the old Westfield Safeway/Grand Village location had a simple staples grocery - we'd stop entirely driving to Giant.

wasting your hard earned money Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Comfort Food Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Alreadyhappening Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Meat cutters at your local Giant will be
> > offered
> > > other jobs in different areas of the store at
> a
> > > significant reduction in salary.
> >
> > Giant's a union shop (at least the one on Stone
> > Road is) so I'd expect the "rules" require them
> to
> > offer the meat cutters something or other.
>
>
> Why would you even bother with Giant ?, you can
> save about 35 to 40% by going to the Walmart
> another 5 minutes away. Open aisles, stocked
> shelves, no skateboarders or Stone road trash
> walking around shoplifting. Always walk up to an
> open cashier instead of waiting 10 minutes in line
> to watch a cashier walking the slow motion Green
> Mile as they do at Giant.

Reading comprehension FAIL!

The problem is meat WON't cost less, Giant is simply removing decent paying blue collar jobs from this area.

I forgot to note here that my wife is the one who grocery shops and she often goes to Shoppers Food Warehouse on the way home from work to get things like meats (not fish).

And donuts.

There is NO substitute for Shoppers' donuts so, while there, she often gets their extremely fresh meats as well (but usually not much else!).

We don't usually make separate Shoppers-only trips; go there pretty much only on the way home from somewhere else.

Comfort Food Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I forgot to note here that my wife is the one who
> grocery shops and she often goes to Shoppers Food
> Warehouse on the way home from work to get things
> like meats (not fish).
>
> And donuts.
>
> There is NO substitute for Shoppers' donuts so,
> while there, she often gets their extremely fresh
> meats as well (but usually not much else!).
>
> We don't usually make separate Shoppers-only
> trips; go there pretty much only on the way home
> from somewhere else.

For packaged or prepackaged foods, I go to Trader Joe's. Can't beat the prices and quality. For meats, I will go to Shoppers (as well for baked goods). I agree highly with comfort food!

For brand name products and fruit, I will go to safeway or food lion. If I want to stock up cheap fresh food, then I will go to an asian mart, but not often.

If trader joe's would come down on their highly expensive meat, i would shop there exclusively.

Read Much??? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> wasting your hard earned money Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Comfort Food Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Alreadyhappening Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > Meat cutters at your local Giant will be
> > > offered
> > > > other jobs in different areas of the store
> at
> > a
> > > > significant reduction in salary.
> > >
> > > Giant's a union shop (at least the one on
> Stone
> > > Road is) so I'd expect the "rules" require
> them
> > to
> > > offer the meat cutters something or other.
> >
> >
> > Why would you even bother with Giant ?, you can
> > save about 35 to 40% by going to the Walmart
> > another 5 minutes away. Open aisles, stocked
> > shelves, no skateboarders or Stone road trash
> > walking around shoplifting. Always walk up to
> an
> > open cashier instead of waiting 10 minutes in
> line
> > to watch a cashier walking the slow motion
> Green
> > Mile as they do at Giant.
>
> Reading comprehension FAIL!


The point was Giant is overpriced and filled with white trash, douchbag

you must work there Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Read Much??? Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > wasting your hard earned money Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Comfort Food Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > Alreadyhappening Wrote:
> > > >
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > >
> > > > -----
> > > > > Meat cutters at your local Giant will be
> > > > offered
> > > > > other jobs in different areas of the
> store
> > at
> > > a
> > > > > significant reduction in salary.
> > > >
> > > > Giant's a union shop (at least the one on
> > Stone
> > > > Road is) so I'd expect the "rules" require
> > them
> > > to
> > > > offer the meat cutters something or other.
> > >
> > >
> > > Why would you even bother with Giant ?, you
> can
> > > save about 35 to 40% by going to the Walmart
> > > another 5 minutes away. Open aisles, stocked
> > > shelves, no skateboarders or Stone road trash
> > > walking around shoplifting. Always walk up to
> > an
> > > open cashier instead of waiting 10 minutes in
> > line
> > > to watch a cashier walking the slow motion
> > Green
> > > Mile as they do at Giant.
> >
> > Reading comprehension FAIL!
>
>
> The point was Giant is overpriced and filled with
> white trash, douchbag

Cogently explaing a point.... EPIC FAIL!!!!

"The point was Giant is overpriced and filled with white trash, douchbag"

What Giant store has white employees and white customers, I'd love to shop there? Thanks.

Read much? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> you must work there Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Read Much??? Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > wasting your hard earned money Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > Comfort Food Wrote:
> > > >
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > >
> > > > -----
> > > > > Alreadyhappening Wrote:
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > >
> > > >
> > > > > -----
> > > > > > Meat cutters at your local Giant will
> be
> > > > > offered
> > > > > > other jobs in different areas of the
> > store
> > > at
> > > > a
> > > > > > significant reduction in salary.
> > > > >
> > > > > Giant's a union shop (at least the one on
> > > Stone
> > > > > Road is) so I'd expect the "rules"
> require
> > > them
> > > > to
> > > > > offer the meat cutters something or
> other.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Why would you even bother with Giant ?, you
> > can
> > > > save about 35 to 40% by going to the
> Walmart
> > > > another 5 minutes away. Open aisles,
> stocked
> > > > shelves, no skateboarders or Stone road
> trash
> > > > walking around shoplifting. Always walk up
> to
> > > an
> > > > open cashier instead of waiting 10 minutes
> in
> > > line
> > > > to watch a cashier walking the slow motion
> > > Green
> > > > Mile as they do at Giant.
> > >
> > > Reading comprehension FAIL!
> >
> >
> > The point was Giant is overpriced and filled
> with
> > white trash, douchbag
>
> Cogently explaing a point.... EPIC FAIL!!!!


Lack of spelling ability.Much bigger fail.

Comfort Food Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Butchers are probably the highest paid Giant
> employees, I'd bet. They'll be "saving" a bundle
> by eliminating most of them.
>
> Initially.


That's all it is about. It will increase profits in the short term, boosting the share price. The middle-management dutch person in a cubicle in some building in the Netherlands who dreamed up this cost-saving idea will get a nice fat bonus.

If they don't hire illegals right from the start, they will in due time in order to lower costs even more for a further boost in share price down the road.

So not only will this area lose a few hundred employees who made livable wages and paid mortgages or rents and shopped and spent their money in this area, but Pennsylvania will gain thousands of low-paid, eventually undocumented workers.

So they've shifted more money out of this area, and placed a heavier social-welfare burden on the state of Pennsylvania. They get to reap the reward.

I forgot, as a bonus, it also further weakens unions! Awesome.

Well here is a surprise for you going to Shoppers, Giant is in the process of buying shoppers. Shoppers was the first chain to lay off their meat cutters in this area so they will too have prepackaged meat and forget the donuts, they will just be like the ones at Giant

The point here folks is Giant is laying off people right and left. There use to be over 25,000 employees at Giant and now it is below 11,000. Do you think this hurts the economy in this area? Giant use to be the best job around. You had to wait to get hired there. Now they can not find people to work there. It's a shame.

I've been a meatcutter for Giant from 1985 and they are just getting rid of us so they get bigger bonuses, that's is what drives Giant Food today. No matter, we do not have enough help to take care of the customer anyways and I'm tired of working my ass off 8 hours everyday because there is not enough help.

I just love the smell of carbon monoxide when I open my freezer.

Bill Kilgore Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just love the smell of carbon monoxide when I
> open my freezer.

From the meat being hauled on trucks? OR do they put CO in the package to keep it "fresh"?

I know they add red food color to some packaged meats. Wouldn't surprise me if they pumped CO into the package, too.

Giant used to be hands down the best grocer in this area. The one off of Union Mill Rd. was incredible as well as the one in Fairfax where the Golfsmith is right now in Kamp Washington shopping center.

I've given up on Giant though, ever since they were bought by Ahold, they have gone downhill.

Harris Teeter is where I do all of my shopping now. On that note, do they truly have fresh meat?

Journeyman Meatcutter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've been a meatcutter for Giant from 1985 and
> they are just getting rid of us so they get bigger
> bonuses, that's is what drives Giant Food today.

I'm pretty sure "they" are getting rid of you (well not really, because of the union) for the same reason any company does, to make themselves more competitive in the market. If they have gone from 25,000 to 11,000 as you say, they are obviously having issues, not giving themselves bigger bonuses. In fact, “they” probably had bigger bonuses before.

Journeyman Meatcutter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well here is a surprise for you going to Shoppers,
> Giant is in the process of buying shoppers.
> Shoppers was the first chain to lay off their meat
> cutters in this area so they will too have
> prepackaged meat and forget the donuts, they will
> just be like the ones at Giant
>
> The point here folks is Giant is laying off people
> right and left. There use to be over 25,000
> employees at Giant and now it is below 11,000. Do
> you think this hurts the economy in this area?
> Giant use to be the best job around. You had to
> wait to get hired there. Now they can not find
> people to work there. It's a shame.
>
> I've been a meatcutter for Giant from 1985 and
> they are just getting rid of us so they get bigger
> bonuses, that's is what drives Giant Food today.
> No matter, we do not have enough help to take care
> of the customer anyways and I'm tired of working
> my ass off 8 hours everyday because there is not
> enough help.


A friend of mine used to work there years ago and bragged about all the perks and getting double and triple time to do a job that Mr. Jiggs the monkey could do. Your union just screwed you guys over like most do. If you think you are worth more than you really are, you are just kidding yourself in todays economy.

Vienna Native Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Giant used to be hands down the best grocer in
> this area. The one off of Union Mill Rd. was
> incredible as well as the one in Fairfax where the
> Golfsmith is right now in Kamp Washington shopping
> center.
>
> I've given up on Giant though, ever since they
> were bought by Ahold, they have gone downhill.
>
> Harris Teeter is where I do all of my shopping
> now. On that note, do they truly have fresh meat?

The Giant off Union Mill recently went through remodeling so they could squeeze in another junk food aisle - at the expense of the produce area, which now sucks. Sad.

Nope, Can not getting rid of me because of the union. For years when Izzy Cohen ran the company I often wondered "Why am I in the union" well now I'm so glad I am. If not I would be working 70 hours a week for the same wage. Ahold got rid of all our warehouses, truck drivers, warehouse workers, the main office in Landover, supervisors and all the small volume stores.
Nether YOU or Mr.Jigg's the monkey (my money would the monkey could do a better job then you) could do my job. It's a craft to cut meat the right way but it is becoming a lost art. And yes the union has gotten me great benifits over the years but how many of you would be willing to work 6 days a week, all weekends, nights and holidays? Not many. There are very few that could do my job but I'm sure I could do yours. I'm sure you could not even lift the meat I have to (Not talking about the 2 inch, quarter pounder in you pants)

I'm worth every dime they pay me

When Izzy was around and we had a ton of help Giant had 50% of the market and made 3 cents on every dollar. After Giant was sold to Ahold and they cut everything back, ran the customers away we now make 1 cent and have 30% of market. And we were always the highest in cost but also the best in the country at customer service

Ahold is all about the bottom dollar, THAT'S IT. Screw the workers

Any idea when this will begin? Sounds like this facility is being built from the ground up, so I imagine it will be sometime next summer at the earliest.

Wegman's. Accept no substitutes.

you must work there Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The point was Giant is... filled with
> white trash...

And Wal-Mart is not?

I don't see why people get so worked up about the clientele of one's grocery store. Giant (on Stone at least) is cleaner and well run compared to a lot of grocery stores around here. No one I know uses just one grocery store for all their purchases anyway; so sure, it might make some difference in where people buy meat but convenience is a huge factor - an extra 7 minutes each way (say 14 total) would be a big deal to me most days.

>
> Why would you even bother with Giant ?, you can
> save about 35 to 40% by going to the Walmart
> another 5 minutes away. Open aisles, stocked
> shelves, no skateboarders or Stone road trash
> walking around shoplifting. Always walk up to an
> open cashier instead of waiting 10 minutes in line
> to watch a cashier walking the slow motion Green
> Mile as they do at Giant.


wtf are you talking about?? ANY Walmart is probably the worst place on earth - open aisles?! More like crammed to the rafters with the most garbagey people in the immediate area. The adults walk blindly and aimlessly, shoving their way around then stopping to stand in the middle of the flow of foot traffic whenever they see fit. Meanwhile, the kids are running around ALSO running into people and impeding the flow of traffic. And shreiking at random. Not to mention the hideous quality of most of their products AND the ridiculous parking lots.

I mean, fuck giant too, I'm just saying.

Journeyman Meatcutter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nope, Can not getting rid of me because of the
> union. For years when Izzy Cohen ran the company I
> often wondered "Why am I in the union" well now
> I'm so glad I am. If not I would be working 70
> hours a week for the same wage. Ahold got rid of
> all our warehouses, truck drivers, warehouse
> workers, the main office in Landover, supervisors
> and all the small volume stores.
> Nether YOU or Mr.Jigg's the monkey (my money would
> the monkey could do a better job then you) could
> do my job. It's a craft to cut meat the right way
> but it is becoming a lost art. And yes the union
> has gotten me great benifits over the years but
> how many of you would be willing to work 6 days a
> week, all weekends, nights and holidays? Not many.
> There are very few that could do my job but I'm
> sure I could do yours. I'm sure you could not even
> lift the meat I have to (Not talking about the 2
> inch, quarter pounder in you pants)
>
> I'm worth every dime they pay me
>
> When Izzy was around and we had a ton of help
> Giant had 50% of the market and made 3 cents on
> every dollar. After Giant was sold to Ahold and
> they cut everything back, ran the customers away
> we now make 1 cent and have 30% of market. And we
> were always the highest in cost but also the best
> in the country at customer service
>
> Ahold is all about the bottom dollar, THAT'S IT.
> Screw the workers

That appears to be how this country is shifting. Screw the workers, profit is all that matters.

Asian markets are cleaning are clock and all we do is retreat some more

Journeyman Meatcutter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nope, Can not getting rid of me because of the
> union. For years when Izzy Cohen ran the company I
> often wondered "Why am I in the union" well now
> I'm so glad I am. If not I would be working 70
> hours a week for the same wage. Ahold got rid of
> all our warehouses, truck drivers, warehouse
> workers, the main office in Landover, supervisors
> and all the small volume stores.
> Nether YOU or Mr.Jigg's the monkey (my money would
> the monkey could do a better job then you) could
> do my job. It's a craft to cut meat the right way
> but it is becoming a lost art. And yes the union
> has gotten me great benifits over the years but
> how many of you would be willing to work 6 days a
> week, all weekends, nights and holidays? Not many.
> There are very few that could do my job but I'm
> sure I could do yours. I'm sure you could not even
> lift the meat I have to (Not talking about the 2
> inch, quarter pounder in you pants)
>
> I'm worth every dime they pay me
>
> When Izzy was around and we had a ton of help
> Giant had 50% of the market and made 3 cents on
> every dollar. After Giant was sold to Ahold and
> they cut everything back, ran the customers away
> we now make 1 cent and have 30% of market. And we
> were always the highest in cost but also the best
> in the country at customer service
>
> Ahold is all about the bottom dollar, THAT'S IT.
> Screw the workers


Well have fun working the fry vat next year, you should be a shoe in with that resume

Not that ether. Because of the great union contract I have I will retire with 30 years of service at the young age of 53 with full benifits. But I'm the type of worker most would die to have. How many 53 year olds can say they worked 30 years at the same place. Not many and I'm sure J Hoffa can not say that. You'll be working till your 70 to get.

Next Novenber is the plan to start the prepack. Giant just went thru a contact and it is for only 19 months which seemed strange at the time because most of our contracts were for 4 to 5 years but we now all know why. They have to change the contract to be able to have the meat cut elsewhere.

Yea, the union is screwing us. They are not helping the meatcutters at all. Most full time meatcutters were put down to part time last december and the union did nothing.

Journeymab Meatcutter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Not that ether. Because of the great union
> contract I have I will retire with 30 years of
> service at the young age of 53 with full benifits.
> But I'm the type of worker most would die to have.
> How many 53 year olds can say they worked 30 years
> at the same place. Not many and I'm sure J Hoffa
> can not say that. You'll be working till your 70
> to get.
>

Yeah, good luck with that. How many employers want to hire a 30 year union drone who has done nothing else with their life.

Your retirement and benefits are only as good as your plan is funded. Half of those union pension plans are run on a pay as you go basis. So, unless they have a continuing increase in new participants paying in, well...


> Next Novenber is the plan to start the prepack.
> Giant just went thru a contact and it is for only
> 19 months which seemed strange at the time because
> most of our contracts were for 4 to 5 years but we
> now all know why. They have to change the contract
> to be able to have the meat cut elsewhere.
>
> Yea, the union is screwing us. They are not
> helping the meatcutters at all. Most full time
> meatcutters were put down to part time last
> december and the union did nothing.


Don't worry, the union execs will still have their fat salaries which you guys pay.

Journeymab Meatcutter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Not that ether. Because of the great union
> contract I have I will retire with 30 years of
> service at the young age of 53 with full benifits.
> But I'm the type of worker most would die to have.
> How many 53 year olds can say they worked 30 years
> at the same place. Not many and I'm sure J Hoffa
> can not say that. You'll be working till your 70
> to get.
>
> Next Novenber is the plan to start the prepack.
> Giant just went thru a contact and it is for only
> 19 months which seemed strange at the time because
> most of our contracts were for 4 to 5 years but we
> now all know why. They have to change the contract
> to be able to have the meat cut elsewhere.
>
> Yea, the union is screwing us. They are not
> helping the meatcutters at all. Most full time
> meatcutters were put down to part time last
> december and the union did nothing.


At least you'll have a year to tell your customers they'll have to go to the competition to get a piece of meat that wasn't cut the week before.

Journeymab Meatcutter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yea, the union is screwing us. They are not
> helping the meatcutters at all.

You just got finished explaining how great the union benefits are and how glad you are to be in one. Which is it guy?

Seems to me if you don't like working at Giant, you should find another job. Contrary to you high opinion of your work and skills, they don't owe you a living.

Right2Work Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >
>
> Yeah, good luck with that. How many employers
> want to hire a 30 year union drone who has done
> nothing else with their life.
>

None that listen to Rush Limbaugh, obviously. But not everyone is an idiot.

If he is a meat cutter like he said, he's not some lazy union drone like you've been led to believe every union member is.

There are certain types of work where you are either producing or not, regardless of union status. Nursing, Law Enforcement, Firefighters, and jobs like meat cutters, delivery drivers, and others who have measurable productivity outputs.


> Your retirement and benefits are only as good as
> your plan is funded. Half of those union pension
> plans are run on a pay as you go basis. So,
> unless they have a continuing increase in new
> participants paying in, well...
>

If they are, then they are in violation of federal law.

Why do I suspect this is yet another silly talking point by Rush and his ilk? Pensions are not "pay as you go". If they are defined contribution plans, then the employee has fully funded his own pension. If they are defined benefits plans, then the employer is required to maintain funding for all current liabilities.

If they were "pay as you go" as in they simply used current employee or employer contributions to pay out to current retirees, they would be in violation of ERISA and PPA statutes.

>
>
> Don't worry, the union execs will still have their
> fat salaries which you guys pay.

No argument there.

Yer a dittohead moron Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Right2Work Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > >
> >
> > Yeah, good luck with that. How many employers
> > want to hire a 30 year union drone who has done
> > nothing else with their life.
> >
>
> None that listen to Rush Limbaugh, obviously. But
> not everyone is an idiot.
>
> If he is a meat cutter like he said, he's not some
> lazy union drone like you've been led to believe
> every union member is.
>
> There are certain types of work where you are
> either producing or not, regardless of union
> status. Nursing, Law Enforcement, Firefighters,
> and jobs like meat cutters, delivery drivers, and
> others who have measurable productivity outputs.


Wouldn't know, don't think that I've ever actually listened to him.

I do run a production-based company though and I know that just based on resume alone, I'd likely pass on that one. You might be able to convince me otherwise in the case of a given individual but you're probably not going to get a chance.


> > Your retirement and benefits are only as good
> as
> > your plan is funded. Half of those union
> pension
> > plans are run on a pay as you go basis. So,
> > unless they have a continuing increase in new
> > participants paying in, well...
> >
>
> If they are, then they are in violation of federal
> law.
>
> Why do I suspect this is yet another silly talking
> point by Rush and his ilk? Pensions are not "pay
> as you go". If they are defined contribution
> plans, then the employee has fully funded his own
> pension. If they are defined benefits plans, then
> the employer is required to maintain funding for
> all current liabilities.
>
> If they were "pay as you go" as in they simply
> used current employee or employer contributions to
> pay out to current retirees, they would be in
> violation of ERISA and PPA statutes.
>


Read and weep among many other examples of articles addressing the extent of under-funding for multi-employer plans:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304203604577393941108053800.html

The benefits plans in particular often are run pay as you go. They may not be funded directly by new participants, but given the case of a union-managed fund, they effectively are since the union has little or no other income stream beyond dues and contributions from affiliated groups which also mostly rely on dues.

Journeymab Meatcutter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Next Novenber is the plan to start the prepack.
> Giant just went thru a contact and it is for only
> 19 months which seemed strange at the time because
> most of our contracts were for 4 to 5 years but we
> now all know why. They have to change the contract
> to be able to have the meat cut elsewhere.
>


UFCW Locals 400, 27 Ink New 18-Month Labor Agreements With Giant, Safeway

Published in FOOD WORLD, April 2012

There is labor peace in the Baltimore-Washington market for the region’s two largest chains – Giant/Landover and Safeway – but the contractual timeline for peace could be historically short.

On April 3, members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400 (Washington) and 27 (Baltimore, Eastern Shore) approved new contracts with Giant and Safeway affecting approximately 30,000 retail clerks and meatcutters from those two supermarket chains.

However, unlike the typical four year deals that have been struck between the parties, the pacts are for only18 months.

By itself the shortened agreement is big news. And the reason for such a narrow window: uncertainties about the costs and direction of the Affordable Health Care Act (“Obamacare”), signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010 and currently being challenged before the United States Supreme Court.

Several sources told us that since many of the changes of “Obamacare” won’t go into effect until 2014, neither side felt comfortable making long-term health cost projections at this juncture. So, by October 2013 both retailers and both UFCW Locals will have to try to hammer out new agreements.

I can't wait for Obamacare to kick in!

I keep reading about all the thriving companies that are going to throw in the towel. Where have we heard this shit before? Hell, I remember the Big 3 whining that they would be out of business if the big bad gubmint forced them to put seat belts in their cars.

Bullshit then and bullshit now!

However, if thousands of companies really do go out of business because of Obamacare, there's going to be a LOT of opportunities for guys like me out there!

Bring it on!

Are you sure this ain't about Giant-Carlisle dropping the butchers instead of Giant-Landover? I haven't bought meat at a Giant in years except for Italian Sausage but the price of those have shot up from $3.99 to $5.49 in two years and the sausages are smaller than they use be too, Anyways I asked this long time employee at my local Giant, at least 20+ years of service at this store a big rarity these days, and she said they had dropped the butchers a number of years ago and the meat came in already pre cut from Landover.

I might add this Giant had a small number of long time white employees but they all seemed to dissapear about a year ago and no they weren't retirement age. Not a single white employee in the store anymore except the store manager who I've never seen.( Maybe a night stocker is white . Have seen a number of whites working the night shift stocking at Safeway but none during the day anymore. A few whites still work at McLean Giant) In the old days you'd see a store manager all the time.

Heidi died a few years back from a broken heart over the big decline in the quality of baked goods at Giant.

Is Gieant buying Richfood or just Shoppers? the last grocery store too maybe find a decent donut and thats hit or miss

Glad any time we hear of overpaid, lazy, do-nothing union types getting canned. Notice that all the stores saddled with unions suck. They will all eventually fail altogether. Notice also that Wegmans, a non-union shop, has employees with far better work ethic and attitudes.

Giant worked great as a union shop for years till AHOLD took over

obviously Jay Galt hates the middle class the backbone of a once great nation

Factoid: The butcher at Wegman's told me that the meat behind the counter and the pre-packaged were exactly the same, even same price. But the pre-packaged is vacuum packed out of the store and has a longer shelf life.

No reason for most people to buy the butcher-wrapped meat.

Wegman's meat is vacuumed packed out of New York and shipped to the stores. He was bull shitting you so you wouldn't think there was a difference. i'm in the business ,junior. When you know what you are talking about and don't have rely on being told, that's a fact.

I'm curious about "the difference".

Since =ALL= I care about as a meat-buying consumer is the quality/freshness of the meat relative to pricing, I literally do not care if the cow was killed in Kansas City or Chicago, chopped into little pieces, packaged, and trucked to a distribution center, then trucked out to individual retail distribution centers, then trucked to individual stores.

Oh.

Wait.

That IS the way it's been happening for a century or so, right? (see The Jungle...)

So...uh...what's different with the projected scenario?

From what I've read (admittedly not a whole lot) the only difference is that some final cuts are planned to be made at one of the distribution centers instead of at the retail outlet.

Is this a major concern for a consumer who just buys what's on the shelves anyway?

It's not appearing to me to be so.

entrepeneur Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I can't wait for Obamacare to kick in!
>
> I keep reading about all the thriving companies
> that are going to throw in the towel. Where have
> we heard this shit before? Hell, I remember the
> Big 3 whining that they would be out of business
> if the big bad gubmint forced them to put seat
> belts in their cars.
>
> Bullshit then and bullshit now!
>
> However, if thousands of companies really do go
> out of business because of Obamacare, there's
> going to be a LOT of opportunities for guys like
> me out there!
>
> Bring it on!


EXACTLY!
That is what the repubs do not see. They are selfish and short sighted.
Obamacare will make things better for every single American in the long run.

Comfort Food Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm curious about "the difference".
>
> Since =ALL= I care about as a meat-buying consumer
> is the quality/freshness of the meat relative to
> pricing, I literally do not care if the cow was
> killed in Kansas City or Chicago, chopped into
> little pieces, packaged, and trucked to a
> distribution center, then trucked out to
> individual retail distribution centers, then
> trucked to individual stores.
>
> Oh.
>
> Wait.
>
> That IS the way it's been happening for a century
> or so, right? (see The Jungle...)
>
> So...uh...what's different with the projected
> scenario?
>
> From what I've read (admittedly not a whole lot)
> the only difference is that some final cuts are
> planned to be made at one of the distribution
> centers instead of at the retail outlet.
>
> Is this a major concern for a consumer who just
> buys what's on the shelves anyway?
>
> It's not appearing to me to be so.


I guess some people like a personal connection to those they do business with, like having a personal barber. Businesses today try to appear to care personally about a customer but it's just a company policy to say hello. Stores employ mystery shoppers to report on employees, to make sure (and intimidate) they pretend to give a shit. A butcher, mechanic, plumber is a professional who gives a personal connection to the service you receive.
You seem to be the kind of person who will walk into the first barbershop you see and have your car work done at Jiffy Lube. Some people have standards. Don't worry, you seem to thick to know what you're missing anyway.

Comfort Food Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Butcher Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > ...Giant is doing away with fresh cut meats...
>
> Wow, is that right?
>
> We get most of our meat from either Costco or one
> of the gajillion Asian markets but, on occasion,
> from Giant, too.
>
> No more!
>
> ==========
>
> Butchers are probably the highest paid Giant
> employees, I'd bet. They'll be "saving" a bundle
> by eliminating most of them.
>
> Initially.


gajillion Asian markets = Asian DOG meat markets

For those going to Wegmans, their meat has ALWAYS been precut and wrapped meat. The only meat they cut in store is in the service case. This is the way america is going. ALL Pre Pack meat. It will be hard to find a butcher in 10 years so get use to it or Complain to your stores that this is NOT what you want. That this is unacceptacle to you and you will take your busness elsewhere if they do this.
You the consumer can stop this but you have to make a stand and let it be known (besides on this forum) Safeway has had pre pack lamb and veal for years and I'm sure they will be right behind Giant with Red meat. Shoppers is up for sale and Giant is interested so they will become Giant as Giant became Stop & Shop. Asian market?? Are you sure that is a cow your are getting? I'm not. Cosco & BJ Meat looks like it been cut with a chainsaw. If that is what you want go for it. Good SELECT beef not USDA Choice
Giant's with the service meat counters will still cut in store for those but the only meatcutter will be the meat manager so you will only be able to get special cuts 8 hours a day. To tell you the truth, it's that way anyways as most stores the only meatcutter left is the meat manager.
Giant has been going down hill, consumers have let this happen. If they complained more or just left to shop elsewhere Giant would have had to do something. They are fine as long as their bottom dollar is not effected. If it is and they do not get their bonuses THEN they would do something. THAT IS ALL THEY CARE ABOUT.
In the old days with Izzy We cared about the customers and we took care of them and in turn you took care of us by shopping at Giant. I thank you all. We were the Top Dog in Washington DC area and Giant took care of us. We are still Top Dog but we are not taken care of. I have worked many years for this company. Helped make it what it was and Ahold came in and detroyed what we build for what? MONEY in their pockets. Giant use to be what made america great, now they are what is destroying america. Greed
And you little assholes can come on here and say all your stupid remarks but people need to know what is going on at Giant. That's all

Journeyman Meatcutter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> For those going to Wegmans, their meat has ALWAYS
> been precut and wrapped meat. The only meat they
> cut in store is in the service case. This is the
> way america is going. ALL Pre Pack meat. It will
> be hard to find a butcher in 10 years so get use
> to it or Complain to your stores that this is NOT
> what you want. That this is unacceptacle to you
> and you will take your busness elsewhere if they
> do this.
> You the consumer can stop this but you have to
> make a stand and let it be known (besides on this
> forum) Safeway has had pre pack lamb and veal for
> years and I'm sure they will be right behind Giant
> with Red meat. Shoppers is up for sale and Giant
> is interested so they will become Giant as Giant
> became Stop & Shop. Asian market?? Are you sure
> that is a cow your are getting? I'm not. Cosco &
> BJ Meat looks like it been cut with a chainsaw. If
> that is what you want go for it. Good SELECT beef
> not USDA Choice
> Giant's with the service meat counters will still
> cut in store for those but the only meatcutter
> will be the meat manager so you will only be able
> to get special cuts 8 hours a day. To tell you the
> truth, it's that way anyways as most stores the
> only meatcutter left is the meat manager.
> Giant has been going down hill, consumers have let
> this happen. If they complained more or just left
> to shop elsewhere Giant would have had to do
> something. They are fine as long as their bottom
> dollar is not effected. If it is and they do not
> get their bonuses THEN they would do something.
> THAT IS ALL THEY CARE ABOUT.
> In the old days with Izzy We cared about the
> customers and we took care of them and in turn you
> took care of us by shopping at Giant. I thank you
> all. We were the Top Dog in Washington DC area and
> Giant took care of us. We are still Top Dog but we
> are not taken care of. I have worked many years
> for this company. Helped make it what it was and
> Ahold came in and detroyed what we build for what?
> MONEY in their pockets. Giant use to be what made
> america great, now they are what is destroying
> america. Greed
> And you little assholes can come on here and say
> all your stupid remarks but people need to know
> what is going on at Giant. That's all


Say what???
Giant food jumped the shark in the mid 90's. Every single giant food is an absolute shithole. At least Food lion has stores small enough to get in and out of in a hurry for convenience sake.
Giant cant even come remotely close to the quality of weggies or hairy teets.
Bottom line is that Giant has slightly below average goods and way below average service. Every few months I go to giant for one reason or another and I am again reminded that it is just not worth the time and aggravation. Giant was king in the 70's and 80's but they just did not keep up with the times.

Butcher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I guess some people like a personal connection to
> those they do business with...

!!!

In more than half a century I've interacted with a person behind the meat counter about twice.

That's a "personal connection" that really isn't going to be missed.

Certainly there's a better response than that - or the ad hominem?

Then again probably not, huh? That's why you gave the lame response you did and the "personal connection" is getting shut down; there really ISN'T any reason for it to continue.

I have noticed giant meat to be kinda rancid. I never buy meat,chicken or anything elses from giant.

Priapus Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wegman's meat is vacuumed packed out of New York
> and shipped to the stores. He was bull shitting
> you so you wouldn't think there was a difference.
> i'm in the business ,junior. When you know what
> you are talking about and don't have rely on being
> told, that's a fact.


Are you saying that the meat behind the counter is also vacuum packed and they just open it up like they do at the deli?

Journeyman Meatcutter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------


> If
> that is what you want go for it. Good SELECT beef
> not USDA Choice

What is the difference?

FUCK YOU

Select is a grade of meat that has less fat, marbling, body so it's less tender. Choice has more fat, marbling so ore tender and flavor. Flavor and tenderness come from the fat in meat
Giant use to sell select along with choice and prime but got rid of select because it was not the quality we wanted to sell. Our choice meat was top of the line during the Izzy years but now is not as good. At times we get in top quality but rare. CAB is type of cow that marbles young so is more flavorful and tender. In the old days all the CAB was the same size cow so the eyes of the meat was consistent. Do not think ahold evens knows what this is. Now all over the place but CAB is better

PISS OFF

grocery getter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Say what???
> Giant food jumped the shark in the mid 90's. Every
> single giant food is an absolute shithole. At
> least Food lion has stores small enough to get in
> and out of in a hurry for convenience sake.
> Giant cant even come remotely close to the quality
> of weggies or hairy teets.
> Bottom line is that Giant has slightly below
> average goods and way below average service. Every
> few months I go to giant for one reason or another
> and I am again reminded that it is just not worth
> the time and aggravation. Giant was king in the
> 70's and 80's but they just did not keep up with
> the times.

Food Lion lost me for good when an investigation revealed how it bleached its meat.

Young Curmudgeon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> grocery getter Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Say what???
> > Giant food jumped the shark in the mid 90's.
> Every
> > single giant food is an absolute shithole. At
> > least Food lion has stores small enough to get
> in
> > and out of in a hurry for convenience sake.
> > Giant cant even come remotely close to the
> quality
> > of weggies or hairy teets.
> > Bottom line is that Giant has slightly below
> > average goods and way below average service.
> Every
> > few months I go to giant for one reason or
> another
> > and I am again reminded that it is just not
> worth
> > the time and aggravation. Giant was king in the
> > 70's and 80's but they just did not keep up
> with
> > the times.
>
> Food Lion lost me for good when an investigation
> revealed how it bleached its meat.


Yeah I hear you. I am not a regular lion shopper but their stores are easy to get in and out of. On my way home from work I can stop and get a 12 pack of beer, some sandwich bags and a bag of dog food in like 9 minutes. That is not possible at other stores.

Giant routinely adds water to its meat and pork to increase its weight. The also add bleach to their fish, scallops and shrimp to give them an extra day or two to sell.

Wegman's pre-packages meat as well, but all Wegman's have a butcher counter where you can get fresh cut meats. Giant has very few butcher counters and will be getting rid of all these counters when the processing plant opens. Fresh Seafood counters will also be eliminated.

AddH2O Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Giant routinely adds water to its meat and pork to
> increase its weight. The also add bleach to their
> fish, scallops and shrimp to give them an extra
> day or two to sell.

So that ends when they get rid of their meat cutters/fish mongers sometime in the future?

Yeah always liked Food Lion for generally being able to get in and out fairly quickly and they haven't gone to the huge stores like Giant. To me its Safeway that's champs at having the longest lines and doing nothing at all about it. I've often seen managers sitting there in the office perfectly able to see long lines and just ignoring it. they do seem to be a "little" better job in the last year or so. But look out if you go to Safeway after 10p.m. Of course Walmart also drastically cuts back cashiers even if lots of folks in the grocery section.

Uh-oh Food Lion. I was in a Food Lion yesterday and perusing the baked goods when I heard a huge sneeze from the bakery. Asian guy had sneezed right into a bowl of bread dough or something he was mixing . He wiped his hand on his nose and dried his hand by wiping it in his armpit. Went on with his baking without a glance around .

On the other hand discoverd a new product under the Food Lion in house Essentials line. The re pakaged Honey Buns are delicious

AddH2O Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Giant routinely adds water to its meat and pork to
> increase its weight. The also add bleach to their
> fish, scallops and shrimp to give them an extra
> day or two to sell.

All companies add water to meat and pork to increase its weight. Well, I'm glad I don't buy any seafood there.

Prepackaged meat = irradiated meat (they've got to find something to do with all that nuclear waste they are'nt allowed to store anywhere when the storage locations fill up)! Another solution to the "overpopulation problem"--let'm eat radiation! That is why the meat will be able to stay normal looking a month after it gets "pre-processed"--no bacteria will go near that stuff! And if it looks normal, all the sheeple will gobble it up. Anyone know what the shelf life for radiation-dosed meat products might be?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/e9aa/

Very sorry to hear that life-long Giant meatcutters are losing their jobs. These guys make a difference in a grocery store. Unfortunately today, most shoppers don't even know how to ask for a 'shoulder' of veal or some special cut, so the demands on butchers are less and less. Really a shame, since cuts of meat really make a difference. Read julia child or any older cookbook and you'll see discussions on cuts you've never heard of! Crap. I can't even get small bones for my dog anymore. Move over comrade, what are they giving us today?

Yea, back in the day Giant and Safeway were the only game in town around here. I exclusively shopped at Giant but when Izzy died, Giant Food went into the toilet and I started to hate Giant - his lost influence was instantly felt.
Frankly Giant was never that great - no food store in the Metro area was ever great, though there was a cult following for Magruder's in Vienna - it was really about prices, not quality.
Giant lost its hold on the area when Ahold took over and ignored the chain, left it dangling. At that weak point, Wegmans happened to move in and we suddenly had access to groceries and quality that we never saw in this area ever before. I was at the Dulles Wegmans opening day, and the crowd was shoulder to shoulder from one side of the store to the other. People were ready for a real European-style grocery! The breads! the cheeses! Italian meats!
The Giant here? You can shoot a cannon and not hit anybody. sigh.

I remember IGA, Kroger, A&P - all of them and all the stores were just groaners.
Food Lion is crappy unless you like foods laden with fake sugar, HFCs GMO/pesticides, MSG, artificial ingredients, hydrogenated fats and barely anything resembling organic variety - their bread choices are a nightmarish selection of sponges. Asian groceries stink which reflects their cleanliness nor can you trust their sources [seafood grown in banned nuclear waters, anyone?].

Wegmans brought in really fantastic foods, variety and quality, their own label typically has less additives than the major brands - and overall is cheaper than Shopper's Food Warehouse. If you get the fancy stuff, well, yea, then you will spend more.
As far as the butcher service, you can get meats cut for you there - but not anything fancy. As I understand it, the cow is cut up centrally and the large pieces are sent to the stores to be cut and packaged. yea some is prepacked like the dry-aged vaccum stuff.

I'd say Giant is failing at market share here in the area. I now find Harris Teeter a much better store than Giant and go there for the southern-type foods that Wegmans doesn't have, like more varieties of frozen beans and frozen dinner rolls, and pimento cheese, or even a can of Glory greens or something.

Gaint has improved lately but not enough. And they see the Obamacare penalties/tax burdens rising. Many companies are announcing huge increases in benefits costs. So with insufficient income and rising costs, they must centralize in spite of the awareness that a butcher is an extra benefit that other stores aren't offering. I'm pretty sure they don't relish the thought of getting rid of one of the few differentiators in the local market.

Maybe there's a purpose, but the unions add a financial burden to any business. Wegman's is non-union and I know a few people employed by them, and they really love the company.
Safeway is union and has always been outrageously expensive. I never shop there unless its a product that I absolutely cannot find anywhere else.

I wonder if the irradiation of meat has anything to do with the whole prepackaged thing as well. Irradiated meat eliminates any potential for ecoli or other bacteria in the meat. This bacteria is becoming more and more of a problem. Wegman's irradiates all of their meat.

EYD6T Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/e9aa/

LOL!!

why do you think Wegman's irradiates all their meat. Its federal law that irradiated meat has to be labeled, so the only irradiated meat they sell is visibly labeled, and there is very little of it.

AddH2O Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Giant routinely adds water to its meat and pork to
> increase its weight. The also add bleach to their
> fish, scallops and shrimp to give them an extra
> day or two to sell.
>
> Wegman's pre-packages meat as well, but all
> Wegman's have a butcher counter where you can get
> fresh cut meats. Giant has very few butcher
> counters and will be getting rid of all these
> counters when the processing plant opens. Fresh
> Seafood counters will also be eliminated.
What are you talking about?? We do not add water to our meat. If this was bring done all the packages would be soaking wet. You robot know what you are talking about. Same with the seafood. Many giants do have counters and are keeping them when the package meat comes in. You do not know what you are talking about

Did Giant recently change their chicken processor when they changed the packaging? The new chicken looks like it was cut up at lighthouse for the blind. It's terrible.

Mixed feelings about the meat counter. Years ago we used to only go to one Giant in the area because of their butcher, but lately you go in and there is a sign saying the meat counter is open until 7 or 8 and they're closed and gone by 5.

Yes about a month ago new company processing our chickens. Yes my store has same sign full service till 7:00pm but I leave at 3:00 and no cutter after me. Their way to cut hours.

Go to the Giant at University Mall. Then go either to Wegman's or Whole Foods. Only an idiot would ever regularly shop at the Giant again with its overpaid union thugs and filthy aisles of rotten food. Good riddance Obama-loving union commies! You'll probably prefer collecting unemployment to working for a paycheck anyway!

Journeyman Meatcutter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes about a month ago new company processing our
> chickens. Yes my store has same sign full service
> till 7:00pm but I leave at 3:00 and no cutter
> after me. Their way to cut hours.


Pilgrims Pride?

Giant hasn't been the same since the days when they had sides of beef hanging in the meat room. When 4-5 meat cutters would carve those sides into steaks and roasts. When the meat room was longer than the counter. When they ground their own ground beef. When you walked up to the counter and the butcher would side one of those windows open to help you or to stock the case, or for the butchers to look through at the women in low cut tops bending over while they looked at steaks. They never have a selection now that is any good and the steaks are tasteless. I go to Harris Teeter now. Better, but not like the good old days.

Giant Killer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Go to the Giant at University Mall. Then go
> either to Wegman's or Whole Foods. Only an idiot
> would ever regularly shop at the Giant again with
> its overpaid union thugs and filthy aisles of
> rotten food. Good riddance Obama-loving union
> commies! You'll probably prefer collecting
> unemployment to working for a paycheck anyway!


Agreed, overall Giant sucks, employyees too busy bitching to one another to help you and way overpriced food. My family were customers for 50 years but no longer

Journeyman Meatcutter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Select is a grade of meat that has less fat,
> marbling, body so it's less tender.

So it is leaner and healthier?

> Choice has
> more fat, marbling so more tender and flavor.

Then what is Prime?

Journeyman Meatcutter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes about a month ago new company processing our
> chickens. Yes my store has same sign full service
> till 7:00pm but I leave at 3:00 and no cutter
> after me. Their way to cut hours.

Why did they stop stocking bone-in skin-on chicken breasts? Not happy.

A Question Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Journeyman Meatcutter Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Yes about a month ago new company processing
> our
> > chickens. Yes my store has same sign full
> service
> > till 7:00pm but I leave at 3:00 and no cutter
> > after me. Their way to cut hours.
>
> Why did they stop stocking bone-in skin-on chicken
> breasts? Not happy.


Oh you are "Not happy" ?
Go kill and process your own chickens then.

Nobody cares that you are "Not happy"

A Question Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Why did they stop stocking bone-in skin-on chicken
> breasts? Not happy.


They still have it, down by the organic meats. It's "Amish Pride" or something like that. It's more expensive than the normal stuff, but if you're grilling it's worth getting the bone-in.

>
> Why did they stop stocking bone-in skin-on chicken
> breasts? Not happy.

We still have Bone in chicken breast regular pack. We do not have them in Value pack anymore

Journeyman Meatcutter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nether YOU or Mr.Jigg's the monkey (my money would
> the monkey could do a better job then you) could
> do my job. It's a craft to cut meat the right way
> but it is becoming a lost art. And yes the union
> has gotten me great benifits over the years but
> how many of you would be willing to work 6 days a
> week, all weekends, nights and holidays? Not many.
> There are very few that could do my job but I'm
> sure I could do yours. I'm sure you could not even
> lift the meat I have to (Not talking about the 2
> inch, quarter pounder in you pants)
>
> I'm worth every dime they pay me

Back when the economy went south, lost a ton of money in the market, wife stopped working, yada, yada, I started to cut my own meat to save money. Started butchering chickens for parts, cutting large portions of meat, etc.

You are INDEED worth every penny they pay you. It is indeed a craft. After so many years of doing my own cutting, my cuts still don't look as good as what I used to pay to get done by the butchers, in the supermarkets.

Don't let people who have never done anything for themselves (IE white collar workers), get your goat (and I am a white collar worker). Blue collar workers are a very undervalued part of our society and deserve better pay, just as we want for those who serve our country. People just don't realize how we ALL work together to make this country work and not just those in the top tier of government.

I've noticed that Wegmans is also pre-packaging selected portions of meat and cheese from their deli and putting them in a refrigerated case across from the deli.

It's probably not the same type of pre-packaging you're talking about. But it's very convenient if you want, say a 1/2 pound of sliced turkey and don't want to wait in line for it.

Giant and Safeway will both be announcing numerous store closings in NOVA early next year. Several smaller Giants will close. For example in West Springfield/Burke there are 6 Giants within a 5 mile radius of each other.

So you won't have to worry about fresh cut meat, when your nearby Giant is shuttered.

Storeclosings Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Giant and Safeway will both be announcing numerous
> store closings in NOVA early next year. Several
> smaller Giants will close. For example in West
> Springfield/Burke there are 6 Giants within a 5
> mile radius of each other.
>
> So you won't have to worry about fresh cut meat,
> when your nearby Giant is shuttered.


good writtens

Generally speaking, are local butcher shops better - like Springfield Butcher - than the grocery stores?
Check out a documentary called "Food, Inc." if you want to see how our food supply really works.

Their new motto is you cant beat our prices but you can always beat our meat.

Springfield Butcher has some good stuff, but you have to watch how their employees handle your food. They usually do not wash their hands or put on new plastic food handling gloves bewteen customers. I walked out when one of the ladies working there refused to wash her hands after handling raw chicken for the customer before me. She said as long as I cook the meat properly, it doesn't matter what she touched before helping me.

Also, some of their meat looks like its been in the case way too long. They called it dry aging. Yeah, right.

Yes!
No
<Does Giant still grind its own meat? Yes, Giant grinds thier meat trim daily to provide its customers with 2 options. Option one: the trim ground is the equivalent of ground chuck and has a relative fat content of 80 percent lean to 20% fat and option 2: is to have the butcher grind a piece of meat for you.
<What kind of meat does Giant offer over the competitors? Giant only buys the highest yield(grade) of USDA Choice beef which is fat marlbed well for tenderness and flavor. Angus from Giant is Certified USDA black Angus which goes through 13 point inspection process to be considered and only 1 out of 20 Angus steers makes the grade. Two examples of the grading of Black Angus is the hide of that steer has to be 50% black or more and the yield has to be graded a 5 which is a high quality.
<What is Prime? Prime refers to the highest graded beef. Grading is done in the rib area of the cow and Prime has the most marble and is the most tender of beef.Because of it's cost only certain Giants can offer it to its customers like MCLean
<Why is meat sometimes brown looking and not red like hamburger is brown in the middle? Meat is never red it is actually brown in color. A process called natural oxygenation occurs when oxygen comes in contact with blood it turns red.Yes,human blood is brown and not red as is a cows blood. When let's say hamburger is wrapped at store level the wrap is unlike saran wrap but the meat wrap used is specially formulated to allow air to pass through it allowing the blood which comes to the surface to remain red while the center or bottom gets depleated of oxygen and remains brown.
<Aging of beef? Beef is hung or aged only in a primal state with all fat still present on the carcass for periods as long as 45 days. This process allows the blood to draw from the meat making it super tender and in no way causes the meat to go bad. Giant's meat is fresh killed and packed for freshness and never is aged out 30 days. This allows for a quality product while still alowing the meat to remain in a red state longer so it looks more apealing to the consumer.
<Is Giant getting rid of meatcutters? Giant has no plans on getting rid of meatcutters. However, Giant does plan on going to a prepackaged meat and will be offered in our small market stores for convience. Remodels will be under way to add the butcher counters into our productive stores and the remaining meatcutters may be moved around to add more service behind said counters.The counter will offer a variety of the most requested items carried along with main sale meats. Giant used to train meat cutters for its stores and stopped after funding for employment training reimbursement was removed in the Bush administration as a cutback in programs.
<Why is Giant changing its meat program? In order to compete in the market share Giant has made changes to stay a top of the market by offering items that appeal to our customers who are shopping else where.
<Who regulates the Grocery industry? The United States Department of Agriculture oversees operations and code dating and including health standards.
<Is my Giant store clean? Giant has an internal food and safety team which checks each of our stores for cleanliness and safety issues on a regular basis.These visits are unannounced and if violations occur they are taken serious and all corrections are made immediately!!!
I heard someone say my meatcutter is a hybrid. What is that all about? Giant looked at the business side of things and made a change to a bunch of meatcutters. We determined that we were overpaying in the long run and not getting the value out of the meatcutter because they wern't actually cutting meat but putting items in the cases and stocking things on the shelves and were getting paid a higher rate of pay and really these are the duties of a clerk so a significant number of meatcutters were made "hybrid Clerks" thus allowing us to save money to reinvest in Giant. For example a meatcutter only really is on the block 6 hours a day cutting meat and the rest he is filling the cases or actually wrapping meat then he is paid accordingly 6 hours at cutter pay and 2 hours as a wrapper thus saving the company a lot of money and creating no layoffs for our employees. Did Giant want to do this? No, absolutely not but to stay competitive in this market we had no other choice.
Is prepacked meat safe? Yes,it does however contain in some cases gases in the package and color may be added in other cases for extending the shelf life. Turkey sausage has been produced like this with gases for years now and it is safe to eat.
<What is pink slime? is it in Giant's prepacked ground beef. Yes it is but not all our grinds have pink slime. Pink slime refers to mechanically separated and disinfected beef products known in the meat industry as lean finely textured beef (LFTB) and boneless lean beef trimmings (BLBT). It is also known by the dysphemistic slang term soylent pink. It is a processed beef product that was originally used only in pet food and cooking oil and was not approved for human consumption. In 2001 in the United States the product was approved for limited human consumption and began to be used as a food additive to ground beef and beef-based processed meats as a filler at a ratio of usually no more than 25 percent of any product. The production process uses heat in centrifuges to separate the fat from the meat in beef trimmings. The resulting product is exposed to ammonia gas or citric acid to kill bacteria.
The product is sold in the U.S. to food companies which use it as a filler product in ground beef production. It was reported in March 2012 that approximately 70 percent of ground beef sold in U.S. supermarkets contained the additive at that time. In March 2012, ABC News ran a series of news reports about the product, which generated significant controversy and led to increased consumer concerns. Following the controversy, some companies and organizations discontinued the provision of ground beef with the additive, while others continued to provide beef with the filler.* source by Wikipedia
Giant does grind fresh trim and carries a product which is all natural known as Lauras ground beef which has a fat content of 92% lean and 8% fat.

Too long a post to bother reading. Try again, with edits for brevity.

The post above has to much to it to quote but the parts about not getting rid of meat cutters at Giant is a bunch of BS. Bottom line meat cutters make the most $$ of retail employees. Store are run on budgets of $$ not hours so getting rid of cutters for 1 hour = 3 one hour shifts if the clerks. It's ALL about money and making their bonuses bigger. Not about better service for the customers. Less service for the customers. Lies,Lies and more lies. That is all giant knows

"For example a meatcutter only really is on the block 6 hours a day cutting meat and the rest he is filling the cases or actually wrapping meat then he is paid accordingly 6 hours at cutter pay and 2 hours as a wrapper thus saving the company a lot of money and creating no layoffs for our employees. Did Giant want to do this? No, absolutely not but to stay competitive in this market we had no other choice."


This is so wrong. Meat cutters always did other things besides standing at a counter cutting meat. They got paid more for their skills, not for the time they spent using those skills. This game of cost-cutting only works because people have been manipulated into hating on unions and therefore workers have no protection from MBAs who come in and find ways to "cut costs" to the benefit of shareholders and at the expense of workers.

Just about every profession includes tasks that you could, using this logic, pay the professional less for. The store manager, for example, often isn't doing payroll or scheduling or other "managerial" tasks, but is assisting customers or helping at the cash register, or bagging groceries. He should get paid less during those times he isn't actively managing. Firefighters spend a lot of time just watching TV, so we should only pay them when they are holding a hose aimed at a burning house. Pilots are only allowed to fly a certain number of hours, they should get paid less when they are doing paperwork and other tasks. Heart surgeons should only get paid their big salaries while doing open-heart surgery, and less when doing rounds or writing prescriptions.

This is just an example of how our entire economic system is rotting and festering with greed, mismanagement and poor ethics.

Rationalizing Cheapskates Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ...The store manager, for example, often
> isn't doing payroll or scheduling or other
> "managerial" tasks, but is assisting customers or
> helping at the cash register, or bagging
> groceries. He should get paid less during those
> times he isn't actively managing...

Is a store manager at Giant hourly?

> ....Pilots are only allowed to fly a certain number
> of hours, they should get paid less when they are
> doing paperwork and other tasks...

Pilots are salaried.

> ...Heart surgeons should only get paid their
> big salaries while doing open-heart surgery, and
> less when doing rounds or writing prescriptions...

Heart surgeons are paid per procedure (and followup).

==========

In the end, it makes total sense to THIS end-customer that hourly workers that are paid for certain skills at a high rate should be paid at a lower rate when doing the job that a lower-paid worker normally does. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me at all that this whole scenario is union-driven...the store can't just say "We have no work for you - go home" but instead MUST say "We have no meat cutting work for you so you have to stock shelves like Joe Noskillsatall to make up the union-required hours; since your union requires explicit job descriptions and rates we're going to pay you the shelf-stocking rate".

There are all sorts of complexities - and blatantly purposeful misleading statements - when union-labor is involved in a job site - from both sides. And often when one side points fingers at the other they actually should be pointing in the mirror.

Bill.N. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In what universe is your WalMart located?
>
> Giant hasn't been Giant since Izzy Cohen died, so
> this shouldn't be a surprise.


WORD!

All meat utters that are Hybrids never get paid at wrapper wage because they are needed as cutters. This is another great plan of Giants that did not work. The meat department at Giant is run by people that have never cut a price of meat or run a meat department. They sit in their office and try and come up with way to keep their jobs. Not a clue what it takes to run the dept.
all their great plans never work and a waste of time and money. If I did as bad a job as them they would fire me. They stopped doing things we did for years because its what they want. Not that it would be better for giant or the customers then years later they bring it back like they thought of it. When ahold took over giant we went back 10 years in technology because that is where Stop & Shop was and they wanted us all the same. Just now getting back where we were do we are still behind.
Giant use to be the leader now the follower
Lies, lies and more lies

The plant they are building in Penn. they has listed as a sausage plant. Trying to find info on it was Impossible because of this. Why would they hide this plant? Looks like it will not be done till Jan. 2014
Stores with counters will still cut meat for it but the only Meatcutter will be the meat manager. All meat cutters will be gone. Giant has taken counters out of store during remodels. Not putting counters in
Lies, Lies and more lies

They tried to get a tax break in that town in Pa. They build a plant for minimum wage jobs then expected the town not to notice it wouldn't help anyone get off food stamps. Of course, the town said no tax break. You'll notice Stop and Shop didn't do this for their stores, even though they have the same competition. Stop and Shop and the people they hire for Giant are modern day carpetbaggers.