Joel Boone

New England Distribution Center, has been employed with Stop & Shop for 26 years. During his tenure, Joel succeeded William Vaughn, and led Labor Relations from 1997 to 2006. Joel negotiated collective bargaining agreements with UFCW Locals 328, 371, 919, 1445 and 1459, and several trade unions.

The contracts covered more than 30,000 employees and over 200 stores. In addition, Joel corroborated on negotiations with Teamsters Local 25 an Local 443 for warehouse and transportation operations. Joel serves as a trustee on several Taft Hartley funds, and has been a strong proponent of education for trustees. In 2009, Joel was elected President of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, the leading provider of educational programs in the area of benefits. Joel is a graduate of Cardinal Spellman High School, Harvard University and Georgetown University Law Center. He resides in Kingston, MA with his wife of 23 years, Denise Delgado-Boone and their children, Joel, Jr, and Lexie.

Joel Boone Acceptance Speech Cushing Gavin Award December 2, 2011

Thank you to the Labor Guild for this distinct honor. It is my privilege to be here this evening with the other honorees and the prior recipients. Some I have known for many years, and others I just met this evening, but all I respect for their work, dedication and commitment to labor relations in the spirit of Cushing Gavin.

This evening affords me the opportunity to recognize those who are important in my life and labor management role. I would like to thank Stop & Shop, my employer of 26 years: Mark McGowan, President of The New England Division; Norm Haberl, Vice President of the Freetown Distribution Center; and the rest of our labor team here this evening…Jason Paradis, David Gillis and Christine Nickerson. It is my pleasure to work with you.

I want to thank people who have been with me since my first day with Stop & Shop and are present here this evening: Bill Vaughn, my prior boss and the epitome of a gentleman and scholar, and past recipient of the Cushing Gavin Award…Bill taught me rule number one of labor relations “Always keep your word.” Charlie Arbing headed up our manufacturing and distribution operations and he had an uncanny ability to balance business and boating. Charlie taught me rule #2 “Never say a word.” Finally, Sam Cron and Paul Fleming were the heart and soul of the Company. They had the ability to walk with CEOs and Presidents and work with the neediest of our associates and their families. Sam and Paul taught me to simply do the right thing always, and ask for forgiveness later if necessary. These people were there everyday for me, and I appreciate them then and now.

I thank the women and men of the unions associated with Stop & Shop. The UFCW Locals 328, 371, 919, 1445 and 1459; the Teamsters Local 25; and the trade unions (Carpenters, Pipefitters, Electricians, etc.) who have contributed to the success of our great Company. You work everyday to improve the quality of life for working families. When I think of what we have been able to accomplish together in servicing our customers and in servicing our stores with unions and union associates, we can say with pride this evening that no one does it better. And a note of thanks to my favorite union officer, my mother, Marguerite Boone, former Vice President and Business Steward with NAGE Local 291.

I want to thank the professionals (the attorneys, including Murphy Hesse Toomey & Lehane, accountants/auditors, administrators, arbitrators/mediators, etc.) and all who work to ensure that our work is conducted at the highest level, in good faith and for the benefit of our participants. I appreciate your calming influence at the negotiating table (Gerry Gomez and John Martin); I appreciate your reasoned decisions, and your artful advocacy. But most of all, I appreciate your friendship. To take a bike ride on a Cape Cod bike path with Arthur Murphy is a bonding experience that I will never forget.

Finally, I want to thank my wife, Denise. I knew when I first met her that she would be a great companion, a wonderful mother, as she has been for our two children; Joel Jr, and Lexie; and a best friend forever not only to me but to everyone she meets. I have never been more certain about anyone and anything than I am with my love for my wife and what she means to me.

Thanks to all of you who have a made a difference in my life, and the healthiest and happiest of holidays to you and your families.