With signs in hand, over fifty Hubbard residents line West Liberty Street, not to protest Nemenz IGA, rather to rally to keep the doors open.
Rita Bruce of Hubbard says, "We need the support of the Hubbard people to keep this store open."
Owner Henry Nemenz told residents Tuesday night he'd try his best to keep this location up and running, but says protesters from the United Food and Commercial Workers Union make it difficult.
They started picketing his store last September, claiming Nemenz refused to hire employees from the previous store owner and fails to provide adequate benefits.
But like many of her co-workers, Becky Kennedy disagrees with the union. She worked for the IGA under the former owner and union. Now she's happily employed by Nemenz.
"I feel like what they're doing is wrong. They have no reason to picket the store because Mr. Nemenz gave me a job. He didn't take away any jobs, but they're trying to take away our jobs."
Union and non-union residents stand side by side, trying to keep those jobs in Hubbard.
Nancy McMillen, a United Steel Workers Members says, "Our union never tried to put anybody out of work. We went on strike for our benefits and our jobs, but I don't think it's fair for a union to come in and tell people not to patronize a store because they're not union members. Several UFCW members showed up to picket the store, but none had a comment.
The President of U-F-C-W Local 880 says Henry Nemenz is trying to blame the union for his decision to close the Hubbard store. Tom Robertson feels the citizens of Hubbard have just refused to shop at a non-union store.
