BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
X-WR-CALNAME:www.indybay.org
PRODID:-//indybay/ical// v1.0//EN
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:Indybay-45653
SEQUENCE:45653
CREATED:20040831T154800Z
DESCRIPTION:SUPPORT WORKERS, COMMUNITY, AND GOOD BUSINESS CONDUCT at an action on Labor 
 Day weekend marking the ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the FRESH ORGANICS dba THE 
 REAL FOOD CO. CLOSURE. Help bring an end to the STALEMATE HOLDING REAL 
 FOODS HOSTAGE to Utah-based/Delaware-incorporated NUTRACEUTICAL 
 INTERNATIONAL CORP. and its Mill Valley lessors, JANE and KIMBALL ALLEN.   
 Speakers, pickets, creative props, and a march to the gutted Real Food 
 store are scheduled.  ONE YEAR AFTER THE ABRUPT CLOSURE OF REAL FOODS/24TH 
 ST. AND THE FIRING OF ITS UNIONIZING WORKERS, Real Foods remains real 
 closed while the Noe Valley community suffers as a whole. As with the 
 December '03 launching of the Noe Valley Farmers’ Market, Noe Valley 
 neighbors will continue their positive response to an outrageous situation 
 maintained by Fresh Organics Inc.,   parent corporation Nutraceutical 
 International, and Mill Valley lessors Jane and Kimball Allen. Residents, 
 merchants, and city officials have stepped forward expressing their 
 interest in establishing a locally-grown alternative to Nutraceutical 
 /Fresh Organics at 3939 24th St.. Noe Valley   neighbors remain determined 
 to work towards creating a neighborhood where where employees are treated 
 ethically, with consideration for their rights and well-being, and where 
 merchants relate to the greater community--as well as their potential 
 customers--with courteousy and respect.  HISTORY:  MARCH, '02, 
 Nutraceutical International Corp. acquires three Real Food Co. outlets ( 
 including Real Foods/24th St. ) under its wholly-owned subsidiary, Fresh 
 Organics Inc..  SPRING - SUMMER '03, workers at Real Foods/24th St. begin a 
 campaign to secure a union contract. News of the effort is inadvertently 
 leaked to management in late May. Two key organizers are fired before the 
 end of July,   while another worker walks out in protest. In early August, 
 one of the terminated organizers files charges with the National Labor 
 Relations Board, stating that she was unlawfully terminated because of her 
 union activity.   Also in early August, workers expressly inform 
 Nutraceutical executives of their union campaign.  LABOR DAY WEEKEND, '03, 
 Nutraceutical International Corp. abruptly closes its 24th St. outlet, 
 firing nearly thirty employees without warning and angering Noe Valley 
 neighbors who supported the store for over three   decades. The corporation 
 alleges that a complete store remodel is in the works, although records at 
 the Department of Building Inspections support no such claim. Terminated 
 employees file multiple charges with the National   Labor Relations Board, 
 stating that they were unlawfully terminated because of their union 
 activity.  FALL '03 - WINTER '04, Noe Valley residents and supporters 
 petition Nutraceutical to make amends with its former workers and the 
 community by entering into a mediated dialogue. District 9 Supervisor Bevan 
 Dufty stands   behind the effort and makes repeated personal appeals to the 
 corporation. By mid-February, Nutraceutical makes it clear that it has no 
 interest in the mediation proposal. The corporation also indicates that it 
 is negotiating   with its Mill Valley lessors, Jane & Kimball Allen, over 
 structural issues at the 24th St. property.  SPRING '04: Nutraceutical 
 claims that an agreement has been reached with the Allens as far as 
 structural issues are concerned. Noe Valley residents and supporters 
 petition Nutraceutical to vacate its Noe Valley lease, and stage   a 
 call-in reiterating their opposition to the corporation's conduct. The Real 
 Food store remains gutted and idle, while community members also contact 
 the Allens to express their outrage over the situation. The Allens are 
 unresponsive, citing a confidentiality clause in their lease with the 
 corporation.  SUMMER '04: The corporation again claims that an agreement 
 with the Allens has been reached. Records at the DBI, however, show no 
 permit applications or building plans to support the claim.  NOTE: 
 FOLLOWING A LENGTHY INVESTIGATION, THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD IS 
 EXPECTED TO ISSUE PRELIMINARY DECISIONS ON THE REAL FOOD WORKERS' CLAIMS 
 WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS.  \n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2004/08/31/45653.php
SUMMARY:Real Foods anniversary action: support workers, neighbors, good business conduct
LOCATION:Noe Valley Farmers' Market, 3861 24th St. between Vicksburg and Sanchez ( 
 fifteen minute walk from 24th St. BART ).
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2004/08/31/45653.php
DTSTART:20040904T183000Z
DTEND:20040904T203000Z
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR