US (FL) : Protesters target Publix over tomatoes
"As part of the Fair Food Program, yes, we are calling on them to pay just a penny more per pound bonus that goes to increase workers pay that has been stagnant for decades," Oscar Otzoy said through a translator.
A dozen companies a part of the Fair Food Program, including Walmart, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Burger King, Whole Food and Trader Joe's. Publix, nor any major grocery store chain, is part of the program.
Nearly two hours later the protesters arrived at the Belle Meade Publix at the Hill Centre on Harding Pike. They marched and chanted on the public street alongside the grocery store.
Publix manager and security officers stood at the store's entrances and watched the protest. A spokeswoman from Atlanta travelled to Nashville to answers questions about the event. "We want to sell groceries, we want to sell tomatoes, and we are willing to pay the price," said Brenda Reid with Publix Super Markets.
While Publix is willing to pay the extra penny per pound, they are not willing to do it in the manner the Fair Food Program collects that penny through a third party. "Our argument is, we are happy to pay one cent more per pound, but we would like for them to put that in the price of the product, because that's what we are paying for, product, we're not paying another company for their labour," Reid explained.
Source: newschannel5.com
