(In our last issue, based on a Teamsters press release and our subsequent conversation with a media representative from the union, we reported that the union boycott of Kroger stores had been called off. Not so fast, said Teamsters Local 337 Business Agent and Trustee Bob Barnes, who issued the following clarification of the union's stance).

We want to thank Michigan families and shoppers for their tremendous support of Teamsters Local 337's "Don't Shop Kroger" campaign.

Thanks to your help, the families of Michigan's Teamsters who were laid off from Kroger's Livonia warehouse last July will be able to enjoy this holiday season. We also thank the Detroit community, religious and labor organizations that fought side by side with us to keep Kroger from shipping these jobs and potentially hundreds of others from this warehouse out of state.

We also thank Gov. Jennifer Granholm for her incredible support. She is a true friend to working families.

When the layoffs were announced, Local 337 urged Kroger to consider alternatives to outsourcing. Kroger has now acted on a strategy we suggested, to assign the servicing from several stores in Toledo to the Livonia facility. Livonia is one of the most efficient warehouses in the Kroger operation, and this will be a good move for both the company and the workers.

However, Kroger has not met with us directly about the long-term prospects for Livonia workers. We have learned that the workers who were laid off will keep their jobs at least until February 2007. But we have not received any assurances from Kroger about what will happen to those jobs after February, nor about the remaining 320 warehouse jobs.

Like most of us, these hardworking men and women have ongoing financial obligations. After years of dedication to Kroger, they deserve better than being left in limbo about their financial futures.

As a sign of good faith, we are not expanding the "Don't Shop" campaign. However, unless and until Kroger gives a direct assurance to this union and its members that its long-range plan protects Livonia jobs, our coalition is not rescinding its call for Michigan shoppers to stop buying at Kroger.