Hello, this is yet another petition regarding the Stop and Shop in Amesbury Massachusetts, which is store #499 and is in the UFCW Local 1445 Union.

I am a newly hired employee, and while I am enjoying the job for the most part and getting along well with my coworkers, there seems to be one glaring issue: water.

As I stated just before, the Amesbury store is union, and as per union rules, employees can only drink water during their 15-minute break, the only exception to this rule being if an employee has a medical condition proven by a doctor's note requiring them to remain consistently hydrated. I think this is absurd and beyond ludicrous, water is an essential part of basic human survival, and lack of access to hydration is obviously detrimental to the body. I don't want to lose my job for getting a sip of water during the shift, and I don't want to be forced to go on break simply to get hydrated. This is incredibly cruel and it must change immediately. This is simply not acceptable.

I believe that allowing employees access to water bottles nearby will help refresh energy and therefore boost productivity levels. A store full of exhausted, dehydrated employees is a store that cannot be run efficiently. I want to continue providing my valuable services to the company and to continue to serve the community within my position, but I cannot do that if my access to basic hydration is severely limited. The physical and psychological impacts of restricted water intake are abundantly clear, and limiting proper hydration in an already physically demanding job makes it all the more strenuous to the body. 

The contract for our union ends in February of next year, however I believe that is far too much time to be waiting for the ability to implement much needed changes. From what I have gathered, a store can strike prior to a union contract's expiration date, albeit with complex legal hurdles. If it is possible, then I would like to strongly request for an immediate review of the current contract, in order to right this wrong and make things right.

I don't want to lose this job that I fought so hard for so long to get, but I simply cannot support an establishment that goes directly against the bodily needs of its associates. We deserve better and if I lose my job fighting for us to get what we deserve then that is a sacrifice I am more than willing to make. We need to rally behind this cause and ensure that no employee spends one more day not having their basic needs met.

Please sign this petition to urge the Union, as well as the company, to fulfill this urgent request and greatly improve the working experience so that we can better serve our loyal customers who shop at our store. Thank You.