Former Clemens Associates Said to Face Uncertain Future at Super Fresh
KULPSVILLE, Pa. -- In the wake of the breakup of the Clemens Markets chain here, employees at the six stores bought by A&P unit Super Fresh have discovered that not all of them will be rehired by the new owner, according to a published account.
Associates at the six stores said that they all had to reapply for their positions, and many were not offered jobs with the new companies. Those who were rehired have been offered hourly pay $3 to $4 lower than their pay at Clemens, the associates added.
"This is really cutthroat what they are doing here," Frank Opelski, an ex-nonfoods manager at the Clemens in Trappe, Pa., told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Additionally, many rehired employees say that they've been informed that they have to transfer to another Super Fresh store and a different position. "If they don't accept these jobs, then they can't get severance or unemployment," said Opelski.
UFCW Local 1776 has negotiated an addendum to its contract with Super Fresh to include the six stores. Associates at any of the 19 Super Fresh stores currently covered by the contract can apply to transfer to the former Clemens locations, union president Wendell Young IV told the newspaper.
Associates at the six stores said that they all had to reapply for their positions, and many were not offered jobs with the new companies. Those who were rehired have been offered hourly pay $3 to $4 lower than their pay at Clemens, the associates added.
"This is really cutthroat what they are doing here," Frank Opelski, an ex-nonfoods manager at the Clemens in Trappe, Pa., told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Additionally, many rehired employees say that they've been informed that they have to transfer to another Super Fresh store and a different position. "If they don't accept these jobs, then they can't get severance or unemployment," said Opelski.
UFCW Local 1776 has negotiated an addendum to its contract with Super Fresh to include the six stores. Associates at any of the 19 Super Fresh stores currently covered by the contract can apply to transfer to the former Clemens locations, union president Wendell Young IV told the newspaper.