SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 21

(By Senators Plymale, Kirkendoll, Kessler (Mr. President), Wells, Stollings, Jenkins and Yost)

Urging Supervalu, Inc., to reconsider and reverse their decision to close their warehouse in Milton, West Virginia.

    Whereas, Supervalu, Inc., is a grocery industry leader, serving customers through more than three thousand four hundred owned, licensed, franchised and affiliated stores across the country; and

    Whereas, Supervalu, Inc., owns and operates a warehouse in Milton, West Virginia, employing nearly one hundred people with well-paying West Virginia jobs, where the rates range from $17.00 to a little over $21.00 per hour, in addition to health care and pension benefits; and

    Whereas, On Monday, January 13, 2014, Supervalu, Inc., notified union representatives and their employees that they intended to close their Milton, West Virginia, warehouse effective in April, 2014; and

    Whereas, The closure of this facility would be devastating not only to the individuals and families who would be directly affected, but to the local economy and to West Virginia’s economy; and

    Whereas, As the Milton, West Virginia, warehouse has been historically recognized as an efficient operation, the Senate is calling on Sam Duncan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Supervalu, Inc., and its board of directors to explore all options to keep the warehouse open for business; and

    Whereas, The Senate also calls on Sam Duncan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Supervalu, Inc., and its board of directors to work with our local, county, state and federal government leaders to save the jobs of these employees and to avoid the economic loss to West Virginia; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Senate:

    That the Senate urges Supervalu, Inc., to reconsider and reverse their decision to close their warehouse in Milton, West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Senate pledges its support in working with local, county and federal government leaders, as well as with Sam Duncan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Supervalu, Inc., and its board of directors to ensure the warehouse remains open for business; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Sam Duncan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Supervalu, Inc., and its board of directors.