The holiday season is a time for giving. It’s also a time to support the causes closest to our hearts. By shopping union, you can do both at the same time.
Local 400 represents employees at a wide variety of retailers capable of fulfilling your holiday needs with the highest quality service and at affordable prices. By patronizing these stores, you will help strengthen our union and support your brothers and sisters.
A seven-year Local 400 member, Tsiegereda Yimer works in Shiseido Cosmetics at Macy’s in Bethesda, Md. She suggests that holiday shoppers consider gift sets or the wide array of skin treatments and make-up that she sells. Members should patronize union stores because, “When we have a union, we have confidence,” she said. “The union supports our concerns and our rights. We have someone to listen to us."
It’s a simple principle that should apply all year long: union members should buy union whenever possible. Our union must grow to have the greatest positive impact on our members’ lives and on working families overall. For that to happen, our employers must grow, too. The more we shop from them, the better they do and the better our members do.
Local 400 member Cohen Simpson, has worked at Hecht’s,now Macy’s, for seven years. He said you can’t do better than buying shirts and ties for the holidays. “They’re always a good choice,” he said. “Just come by and we’ll get them matched.” Simpson believes Local 400 members should shop union, “because you’ve got the union backing you up. If you want to keep the union, you have to support the source that the union represents.”
During the holiday season, this principle is more important than ever. Retailers need the business and our members need the income during these critical weeks to ensure a good year. The economy needs spending that supports middle-class, living wage jobs. When we all stick together and support one another, every one of us comes out ahead.
Local 400 members are encouraged to shop at these stores employing their sisters and brothers:
For holiday gifts of every kind:
- Macy’s Department Stores in Washington, D.C., and Bethesda (Montgomery Mall), Bowie (Bowie Town Center), Gaithersburg (Lakeforest Mall), Hyattsville (Prince George’s Plaza), Laurel, Marlow Heights, Waldorf (Charles Towne Center) and Wheaton, Md.
- Bloomingdale’s Department Store in Chevy Chase, Md.
For high-quality, name-brand clothing and other gift items:
- Syms in Rockville, Md., Falls Church, Va., and Manassas, Va.
- Filene’s Basement in Washington,D.C., and Rockville, Md.
- Brooks Brothers in Washington,D.C.
For holiday food — whether it’s catered parties, pre-prepared dishes oringredients for home-cooked feasts:
- Giant in Maryland,Virginia and Washington, D.C.
- Kroger in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.
- Safeway in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
- Shoppers Food & Pharmacy in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
- Super Fresh in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
- Magruders in Maryland and Virginia
- Farmers Market in Washington, D.C.
- Freshgo in Rockville, Md.
- Bestway in Silver Spring, Md.
- Bethesda Co-op in Bethesda, Md.
Sydney Temple has worked at Syms’ Rockville, Md., store for the past 17 years, but he’s been a Local 400 member for 27 years, having worked at Raleigh’s before that. His store has a great selection of holiday gifts. “We have nice watches and a variety of gift packages, ranging from candies to small electronics like headphones,” he said. “If you’re shopping for a man, a nice sports jacket and pair of pants is always a good choice.” Local 400 members should shop union, “Because the workers are protected,” Temple said. “If you’re not union, management can do whatever they want with you.”
When at the supermarket, look for Tyson’s Chicken and Boar’s Head meat products. Local 400 represents workers at these company’s facilities. In addition, you can order your groceries online at Peapod.com and have them delivered right to your home.
Lisa Stemcosky is a Local 400 member who has worked at Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase, Md., for the past three years. Her holiday shopping recommendations include Allclad cookware, which is union-made in Pennsylvania, and votive candle holders, “a good all-around gift for unexpected occasions,” she said. “It’s always important for union members to support one another in good times and bad times,” Stemcosky said. “In this economy, it’s nice to have each other to lean on.”
Where you spend your money matters. By shopping at any of these stores, you’ll be getting great value for your dollar while also lifting up your fellow Local 400 members.