Safeway ceo awarded Labor Dept.'s SPIRIT Award

PLEASANTON, Calif. The U.S. Department of Labor presented Safeway chairman, president and ceo Steve Burd with the 2008 SPIRIT Award for his leadership in furthering employment and work place opportunities for people with disabilities.

Former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott, who was born with only one hand, was named co-winner of the award. Abbott works to raise awareness about the benefits and value that disabled employees bring to the work place.