workers, and refused to recognize the labor contracts of those who remained.
Since then, about a dozen large national organizations that support labor unions have refused to hold conferences in Denver. The labor agreement came as Denver prepared to submit a proposal to the Democratic National Committee to host the convention in the year 2000.
Union Health Plan Will Use Only Unionized Drug Stores
New York City's largest union, 1199, the National Health and Human Service Employees Union, has reached a n agreement to steer virtually all of its members' prescription drug business to Rite Aid and other unionized drug stores. In return, Rite Aid agreed not to fight organizing drives by the union. The union represents 150,000 health care workers in the greater New York area and its health plan covers 400,000 people, spending close to $60 million a year on prescription drugs. Union president Dennis Rivera said 1199 expects to get 4,000 new members in the next six months through the new agreement, while Rite Aid will get close to $40 to $50 million worth of pharmaceutical business.
Under the plan, Rite Aid will recognize 1199 as the collective bargaining agent a t any of its pharmacies once more than half of a store's employees have signed authorization cards.
Rivera said he planned to start a nationwide campaign to urge other unions and union health plans to steer all their drug purchases to unionized stores. Over the next year, 1199 hopes to unionize 100 Rite Aid stores in northern New York and in New Jersey. Rivera said 1199 may urge its parent union, the Service Employees International Union, t o reach similar agreements with Rite Aid in other states.