Super Valu stores, which have the 50 cent premium, use “block-ready beef,” which is beef which has been broken down into quarters, loins, etc. The productivity on block-ready beef has not increased much. Pre-packaged chickens, made by the non-union Tyson firm. “We don't let them use them here. They got to cut the chickens up in our stores.” Similarly, frozen, pre-sliced liver is not permitted in Kenosha food stores. “For a couple of reasons. One is that we think people like fresh liver better, and fresh chickens. And two is that we think that the work should be done here, where people can see what's going on.” May have it in the future, but not now. Even the Super Valu stores have complete meat departments. Other parts of Wisconsin have pre-packaged chickens and further breakdowns of beef. At one time, Kroger had a central cutting plant in Madison, and the Kenosha local negotiated what could be brought into the Kenosha stores. First thing negotiated was no reduction in hours and no layoffs because of “the institution of a new process.” Some places in the United States have meat brought in ready to go into the counter. The problem with that is the bloom does not stay on the meat very long.
