MINNEAPOLIS– Hourly workers from SuperAmerica joined together with dozens of retail employees and workers’ rights advocates on Tuesday to demand better standards on the job for working families in the Twin Cities.
Dozens of SuperAmerica employees and allies participated in the day of action sponsored by Working America and the Greater Minneapolis Worker Center (GMWC). They gathered to speak out about the problems affecting hourly workers at the Minnesota-based convenience store chain, including low pay, erratic schedules and favoritism.
“I enjoy my job and I work hard, but the low pay and unfair working conditions are a source of stress,” said Makaida A., a SuperAmerica employee and member of the Greater Minnesota Worker Center. “I’m hoping that by speaking with the folks at corporate, we can improve the situation.
“I want to know that I have a realistic opportunity to advance at SuperAmerica based on my hard work. What we need from SuperAmerica is better pay, better schedules and more respect,” added Makaida.
The delegation of SuperAmerica employees, retail workers and allies held a demonstration outside of a SuperAmerica store in downtown St. Paul, chanting and sharing stories from their work experience. During the event, a small group of worker leaders delivered the group’s official letter to the on-duty manager, requesting a meeting with SuperAmerica President Jack Helmick. The letter outlined the group’s list of demands to improve workplace conditions for the chain’s hourly workers, including:
- Instituting two weeks’ notice of work schedules for all employees;
- Establishing a Health and Safety committee tasked with improving workplace safety and wellness standards at the chain’s locations; and
- Instituting a company-wide equity policy that ensures women and people of color receive pay and opportunities for advancement equal to that of their counterparts.
The delegation also marched on SuperAmerica’s corporate headquarters in Woodbury, demanding a meeting with Mr. Helmick to discuss the list of demands.
“Having to work erratic schedules with little notice and getting passed over for a promotion: These are the types of situations working people are facing at SuperAmerica and all over the Twin Cities,” said Lennox T., a former restaurant worker and member of Working America. “When we stand up together for good jobs and fairer rules in the workplace, it benefits us all.”
Tuesday’s actions from SuperAmerica workers come on the heels of a national day of action last week that brought new attention to the challenges of working families in the Twin Cities. On Nov. 10, SuperAmerica workers marched alongside striking food service workers, janitors and other hourly workers at a large rally outside of Minneapolis City Hall to urge city leaders to support policies that help working families, including raising the minimum wage, fair scheduling and an end to wage theft.
“The community has spoken. After today’s action, SuperAmerica can’t continue to ignore the requests of working families in the Twin Cities,” said Working America-Minnesota Program Director David Wakely. “Working families are tired of working hard in jobs that make it impossible to support their families and advance in the workplace."
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Working America is the fastest-growing organization for working people who don’t have the benefit of a union on the job. Working America has over 259,000 active members in Minnesota. For more information, visit www.WorkingAmerica.org.
Greater Minnesota Worker Center (GMWC) is an organization focused on creating systemic change and economic/social justice for low-wage workers in St. Cloud and the surrounding communities.
CONTACT: Michael J. Brewer
202-639-6287
[email protected]