By 99 Cents Only Store Workers
Wednesday, March 23 (Los Angeles, CA) Responding to worker concerns about affordable healthcare, poverty wages, and abusive management at the locally-owned discount retailer, two of the leading International Unions have banded together in an historic partnership. The 1.4 million-member United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) and the 1.4 million-member Brotherhood of Teamsters are working hand in hand to improve the wages, benefits, and working conditions of low-wage workers at 99 Cents Only Stores.

The average worker only earns $6.80 an hour–a nickel above the minimum wage. Full-time employees barely make $12 000 per year, but most earn far less working part time.

Workers report that 99 Cents Only Stores managers force them to work unpaid overtime.
99 Cents Only Stores is one of the fastest growing and most profitable deep-discount retail chains in America. Despite a 257 percent increase in net income over the past four years, the retailer pays wages that leave even full time workers eligible for taxpayer-funded food stamps and health care. Workers report that the company charges $125 a week for family health insurance–equal to as much a 55% of a full-time clerd’s net paycheck, an contributes nothing to retirement plans. 99 Cents Only Stores employ an almost entirely Latino workforce at poverty wages, and workers report a pattern of verbal abuse. This is the first organized demonstration of support from community groups, clergy, and labor activists for these struggling workers.

Only 30% of workers are eligible for health care, but few can afford their share of the insurance premiums. Uninsured workers rely on taxpayer-funded health care.
In January 2004, 99 Cents Only Stores Drivers voted to join Teamsters Local 630. After nearly a year of difficult bargaining and a nearly unanimous strike vote, in December 2004 the drivers ratified their fist contract. The Teamsters are continuing their efforts to organize workers in the distribution centers and warehouses. Meanwhile, UFCW Local Unions in California, Nevada, Texas, and Arizona are agressively organizing 99 Cents Only Stores retail clerks in hopes of securing affordable health care, livable wages, and decent working conditions.

The 99 Cents Only Stores retirement plan: “Workers, save your own money!”

“The company wants people to believe that they can’t afford to provide health care and livable wages because their prices are so low. This is a lie. We see them buy stuff for pennies on the dollar and sell it for 99 cents. We can’t live on these wages and we can’t afford to take our children to the doctor for regular check ups. While the company’s profits go up and up, we are living in poverty. We need the unnion to help us improve our families’ lives,” said a 99 Cents Only Stores worker who asked to remain anonymous for fear for management retaliation.

Press Contacts:
Barbara Maynard at (323) 351-9321 (cell)
Dan Braun at (818) 843-3270 (office)

No Respect for 99 Cents Only Stores Workers
99 Cents Only Stores managers practice verbal abuse, assign elderly workers physically demanding tasks, and punish workers who complain.

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/Stories/0,1413,206~22097~2766827,00.html

The secret to the 99 Cents Only Store fortune is low pay and few benefits, not low prices.

The secret to the 99 Cents Only Store fortune is low pay and few benefits, not low prices.

Teamsters and UFCW Unite to Secure Affordable Health Care, Livable Wages, and Decent Working Conditions for 99 Cents Only Store Workers.

The Teamsters and the UFCW have joined forces to improve the wages, benefits, and working conditions of low wage workers in the retail sector. These two powerful unions have specifically targeted the 99 Cents Only Stores, one of the fastest growing and most profitable deep-discount retailers in America. Despite a 257 percent increase in net income over the past four years, the majority of workers earn just 25 cents an hour above minimum wage, have no health insurance or 401(k) Plan contribution, and receive just one paid holiday per year.

In January 2004, 99 Cents Only Stores drivers voted to join Teamsters Local 630. After nearly a year of difficult bargaining and a nearly unanimous strike vote, in December 2004 the drivers ratified their first contract. The Teamsters are continuing their efforts to organize workers in the distribution centers and warehouses, and UFCW Local Unions in Southern California, Nevada, Texas, and Arizona are aggressively organizing 99 Cents Only Stores retail clerks in hopes of securing affordable health care, livable wages, and decent working conditions.

"The company wants people to believe that they can't afford to provide health care and livable wages because their prices are so low. This is a lie. We see them buy stuff for pennies on the dollar and sell it for 99 Cents. We can't live on these wages and we can't afford to take our children to the doctor for regular check ups. While the company's profits go up and up, we are living in poverty. We need the union to help us improve our families' lives," said a 99 Cents Only Stores worker who asked to remain anonymous for fear of management retaliation.

Please help fulfill 99 Cents Only Stores workers' dreams by joining our public kick-off on Wednesday, March 23:

Who: 99 Cents Only Stores workers, community activists, members of the clergy, and labor activists, including the UFCW and the Teamsters

What: Demonstration to build worker and community awareness for 99 Cents Only Stores organizing campaign

Where: 99 Cents Only Store, 2441 Via Campo, Montebello, CA 90640

When: Wednesday, March 23, 2005; 3:00 PM

RSVP: Barbara Maynard or Dan Braun at (818) 843-3270

Please wear your organization's t-shirt and bring a sign if possible. Thank you.
By 99 Cents Only Store Workers