Human Resources

New York City -- Members of the largest union local representing Southern California grocery workers gave their negotiators the power to call for a strike if contract talks with major supermarket chains break down, it was announced Thursday. Results for the other locals were not immediately available.

Passage of the strike authorization would not necessarily mean a strike is imminent. Contract talks that began in February are set to resume next week with negotiators for The Vons Cos. Ralphs Grocery Co., a subsidiary of The Kroger Co.; and Albertsons.

New York City -- More than 60,000 Southern California grocery workers cast their votes on Wednesday whether to authorize a strike if contract talks with three of the nation's largest supermarket chains break down. A two-thirds majority vote was needed for passage.

The talks are with The Vons Cos.; Ralphs Grocery Co., a subsidiary of The Kroger Co.; and Albertsons, owned by Supervalu.

New York City -- Loehmann's Holding Co. announced that Joan Durkin has been appointed CFO and senior VP finance. She assumes the CFO role from Joe Melvin who successfully led the company out of Chapter 11 in early March.

Durkin most recently served as VP finance for Brown Shoe Co.

Rose Paving Co., a leader in national parking lot management, has been selected once again as one of the "2011 Best Places to Work in Illinois."

This workplace analysis and competition began in 2006 and is promoted by The Daily Herald Business Ledger in partnership with the Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Illinois State Council, the Workforce Boards of Metropolitan Chicago, and managed by Best Companies Group.  

Anaheim, Calif. -- Pacific Sunwear of California announced that Michael Kaplan will join the company as senior VP and CFO, effective May 2. He will be replacing Mike Henry who became interim CFO in November 2007 and was named CFO in January 2008.

Most recently, Kaplan was CFO of Harbor Freight Tools, a 349-store retailer of proprietary branded tools. Prior to joining Harbor Freight Tools in 2010, he was a senior executive of Gap Inc. from 2005 to 2010.

CAMDEN, N.J. — A former Walmart VP has joined Campbell Soup as its VP corporate development.

In this new role, Raymond Liguori will be responsible for Campbell's efforts in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances and joint ventures. He will report to Craig Owens, Campbell's CFO and chief administrative officer.

Roseland, N.J. -- McDonald's New York Tri-State Area and its franchisees said Tuesday they are looking to hire new crew and restaurant management positions in more than 600 restaurant locations throughout the area on April 19.

The one-day event is part of a nationwide initiative for McDonald's and its franchisees with a target to hire up to 50,000 new employees at restaurants across the country.  

CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid announced that Tony Montini has been promoted to EVP merchandising. In his new position, Montini will oversee field merchandising and the company’s new store format development in addition to his current responsibilities for category management. 

Montini most recently served as SVP category management. He will continue to report to Ken Martindale, Rite Aid COO.