UFCW Statement Regarding Unfounded Accusations by Bashas`

New Claims a Baseless Attempt to Distract Attention from Concerns of Workers
PHOENIX--(Business Wire)--
"The new accusations made against the UFCW by Bashas` are, quite simply, false.
The UFCW and the hundreds of Bashas` employees we represent want nothing more
than to see Bashas` become a stronger, more competitive company.

"Unfortunately, Bashas` has engaged in a pattern of abuse of federal law that
cannot be ignored. The company currently faces more than 80 charges of unlawful
treatment of workers, including illegal firings and interrogations. The primary
focus of the UFCW`s involvement with the company has been and will continue to
be securing the workplace rights of all Bashas` employees.

"Bashas` decision to hedge the bet it has made in court by trying its case in
the media is a transparent attempt to distract the public from the company`s
well-documented history of mistreatment of workers. If a trial does become
necessary, we are confident that the court will find Bashas` allegations
unfounded and will vindicate our actions on behalf of Bashas` employees.

"Unless and until Bashas` allows its employees to freely exercise their rights
in the workplace, the UFCW will continue to shine a light on the company`s
unfair and unlawful business practices. Bashas` employees, like all working men
and women in Arizona, deserve the respect of their employer.

"Bashas` position as one of Arizona`s biggest corporate empires does not excuse
its attempts to silence dissent and debate. The company`s attempts to muzzle its
critics with an army of lawyers will not deter the UFCW or its allies in our
fight to protect Bashas` employees."

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents
more than 1 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food
processing and poultry industries. The UFCW protects the rights of workers and
strengthens America`s middle class by fighting for health care reform, living
wages, retirement security, safe working conditions and the right to unionize so
that working men and women and their families can realize the American Dream.

UFCW
Corey Owens, 202-905-2179
press@ufcw.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009