Woonsocket Radio News Room

February 21, 2025
Frans Muller
President & CEO
Ahold Delhaize
Piet Heinkade 167-173
1019 GM Amsterdam, Netherlands
Via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

J.J. Fleeman
CEO
Ahold Delhaize USA
1380 Hancock Street
Quincy, MA 02169
Via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


Dear Mr. Muller and Mr. Fleeman,


As the state treasurers of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, we write to express our deep concern regarding the ongoing labor dispute between Stop & Shop and Teamsters Local 25. Stop & Shop plays a vital role in our states—serving our communities, employing thousands of workers, and contributing to our local economies. We value the company’s presence in our states, just as we value the well-being of the workers who make your business run every day.


Reports that Stop & Shop has proposed eliminating union health coverage and is threatening to shift warehousing operations out of Massachusetts if workers do not accept these terms raise serious concerns about the long-term stability of the company and its relationship with employees, customers, and the communities it serves. A strike impacting over 900 Teamsters, as well as potentially 30,000 UFCW members throughout New England, would have far-reaching operational and economic consequences.


Beyond the immediate disruptions, such a dispute poses a significant reputational risk to Stop & Shop and Ahold Delhaize. The company has built a strong customer base over decades, in part because consumers trust that it treats its workers fairly. A labor dispute of this magnitude risks eroding that trust, driving loyal customers to competitors and causing lasting damage to Stop & Shop’s brand. Today’s consumers are increasingly attuned to how companies treat their workforce, and widespread media attention on a prolonged labor conflict could lead to substantial backlash, negatively impacting both short-term sales and long-term market position.


We recognize that businesses with strong labor relations and fair employment practices tend to deliver more stable and sustainable returns. We urge Ahold Delhaize to engage in good-faith
negotiations that prioritize both its workforce and its long-term corporate value. A resolution that ensures fair wages, benefits, and working conditions will not only protect your employees but will also safeguard Stop & Shop’s reputation and long-term success in our states.
We welcome the opportunity to discuss these concerns further and look forward to your
response.


Sincerely,


Deborah B. Goldberg, Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver-General
James Diossa, Rhode Island State Treasurer
Erick Russell, Connecticut State Treasurer

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