UFCW Local 1500 Statement on Giunta’s Meat Farms Acquisition of King Kullen Grocery Co.
Westbury, NY — The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1500, New York’s largest grocery workers’ union, proudly represents thousands of essential supermarket workers across Long Island, New York City, and the surrounding regions. For generations, Local 1500 has fought to secure the wages, best-in-class healthcare, retirement security, safe workplaces, and strong union contracts while standing alongside its King Kullen members through periods of growth, transition, and change within the company.
UFCW Local 1500 acknowledges today’s announcement that Giunta’s Meat Farms has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the assets, stock, and liabilities of the King Kullen Grocery Co., including, but not limited to its 24 King Kullen supermarkets, existing pharmacies within, and 4 Wild by Nature natural food stores. We have been told the transaction is expected to close in September.
According to the announcement, King Kullen and Giunta’s Meat Farms will continue to operate independently until the sale closes and both companies have stated that no employees are expected to be laid off as a result of the transaction.
“This is a significant development for Long Island’s grocery industry and for the Local 1500 members working hard every day in these stores to serve their communities,” said UFCW Local 1500 President Robert W. Newell, Jr. “Our members are the foundation of these stores, and they deserve clear communication and strong representation throughout this transition.”
Although President Newell has not yet been directly or officially contacted by the current management team at either company, UFCW Local 1500 wants its members employed at King Kullen, King Kullen Pharmacy, and Wild by Nature locations to know that their union will be on top of every step of this process. Your union representatives remain available to answer membership questions, address concerns, and enforce the collective bargaining agreements. We will provide guidance as additional information becomes available. For the foreseeable future, it will be business as usual for the membership of Local 1500 employed at these locations.
“Our priority remains our members,” Newell added. “We will closely monitor this transition, engage the companies, and ensure that our members have the support, information, and representation they deserve. As we always have, UFCW Local 1500 will stand with our members and advocate for their interests throughout this process.”
Newell concluded, “We wish the Giunta family much success in this new venture and look forward to working closely with them in the future.”
Media Contact
For media inquiries, requests for comment, or additional information regarding this announcement, please contact:
Aly Waddy
Secretary-Treasurer
UFCW Local 1500
Email: aly.waddy@ufcw1500.org
Phone: (516) 214-1306
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Prime Therapeutics
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