Solidarity Statement for Treasure Island Workers

RESOLUTION IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE WORKERS OF TREASURE ISLAND FOODS AND COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY ITS CLOSING

WHEREAS, Treasure Island Foods, the supermarket chain that employed over 500 workers in Chicago and was one of only a few grocery options in Hyde Park, abruptly announced their closing in late September 2018 and ceased all operations less than two weeks later; and

WHEREAS, this abrupt closing without advanced notice to their workers constitutes a violation of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; and

WHEREAS, Treasure Island Foods and High Ridge Partners LLC, the firm that oversaw its liquidation, failed to compensate workers for accrued paid time off, constituting a violation of the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act; and

WHEREAS, Treasure Island Foods and High Ridge Partners LLC, failed to compensate their workers for labor provided in the final weeks of operation, and prematurely discontinued their employees’ healthcare; and

WHEREAS, the closing of Treasure Island Foods exacerbates an existing lack of affordable, nutritious grocery options in Hyde Park and surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, the University of Chicago is the landowner of the property vacated by the Hyde Park branch of Treasure Island Foods and is responsible for finding a replacement; be it therefore

RESOLVED, that we, Graduate Students United at the University of Chicago (AFT/AAUP), stand in solidarity with the displaced workers of Treasure Island Foods and their efforts to seek redress for their former employer’s unethical and illegal actions; and be it further

RESOLVED, that we demand the University of Chicago decline to collect back-rent or other damages from Treasure Island Foods, High Ridge Partners LLC, or any other involved parties, until all back-pay and damages are assessed to the workers and paid in full; and be it further

RESOLVED, that we demand the University prioritize i) compensation and reemployment of displaced Treasure Island Foods employees and ii) providing a source of nutritious, affordable groceries for Hyde Park and surrounding communities in a timely and transparent fashion.