FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

SACRAMENTO, CA — (May 27, 2010) – Miguel Gonzalez, President, Northgate Gonzalez Markets, and Jerry Whitmore, Sales Manager for Southern California, Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, were inducted into the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement on Thursday, May 27, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove, CA.

The Foundation’s Hall of Achievement was created in 1992, and recognizes California grocery retailers and suppliers who have contributed substantially to the advancement of the grocery industry. (Previous inductees are included.)

“This year’s inductees have very unique stories to tell,” said CGAEF President Ronald Fong. “Miguel Gonzalez’s story is one of an immigrant family fulfilling the American dream through vision, hard work and faith. Jerry Whitmore is a Southern California industry icon, very well known for his lifetime of service to the industry. The Foundation is proud to add these worthy individuals to its prestigious Hall of Achievement.”

A native of Mexico, Miguel Gonzalez immigrated to the United States in 1968. He first worked in manufacturing and retail enterprises. In 1980, his family purchased a small grocery store in Anaheim, CA. He assumed the position of company president following the death of his father, Miguel Sr. in 1999. Northgate Gonzalez Markets now operates 30 stores throughout the Los Angeles area.

Jerry Whitmore is a 43-year veteran of the grocery business. For more than 20 years, Whitmore has worked for Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream. Prior to that he was employed by Laura Scudder’s Co. He has received numerous industry awards including the Presidential Award of Distinction from the Food Industries Sales Managers’ Club of Los Angeles, and the Food & Beverage Industries Humanitarian Award form the National Conference for Equality & Justice.

The Hall of Achievement provides the food industry with the opportunity to recognize the achievements of those individuals who, through their foresight and dedication, have enhanced California’s food distribution industry.

Proceeds from the event fund the Foundation’s College Scholarship and Career Development programs. This year, the Foundation will be awarding 292 college scholarships totaling $299,000 to deserving employees, or their families, of CGA member companies.

For more information on the Hall of Achievement award log-on to www.cagrocers.com or contact Brianne Korte at 916.448.3545.

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Editor’s Note: A feature story highlighting Miguel Gonzalez’s and Jerry Whitmore’s remarkable careers, can be downloaded at www.cagrocers.com.

Formed in 1992 as a 501(c)3 corporation, the CALIFORNIA GROCERS ASSOCIATION EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION is dedicated to providing educational opportunities and research programs that will benefit all segments of California’s food industry. The Foundation serves CGAmember companies by providing financial support for educational programs and research projects that provide measurable benefits to the grocery industry, its employees, their families and consumers.

CGAEF HALL OF ACHIEVEMENT INDUCTEES:

Byron Allumbaugh, Ralphs Grocery Co.
Lou Amen, Super A Foods, Inc.
Bernard Briskin, Gelson’s Markets
Jack H. Brown, Stater Bros. Markets
Jim Brown, Western Association of Food Chains
Steven Burd, Safeway Inc.
Charles Collings, Raley’s
Doug Detherage, Bimbo Bakeries U.S.A.
Paul Gerrard, Gerrard’s Inc.
Dave Hirz, Ralphs Grocery Co.
Darioush Khaledi, K.V. Mart Co.
Don Lee, Dairy Fresh
Robert Piccinini, Save Mart Supermarkets
Alfred Plamann, Unified Grocers, Inc.
Thomas Raley, Raley’s
Larree Renda, Safeway Inc.
Bill Roulette, Gelson’s Markets
Allan Scharn, Gelson’s Markets
Jerry Scolari, Scolari’s Food & Drug Co.
Joe Scolari, Scolari’s Food & Drug Co.
Joey Scolari, Scolari’s Food & Drug Co.
Bob Spengler, Save Mart Supermarkets
Roger Stangeland, The Vons Companies
Bob Stiles, Gelson’s Markets
Wilfred Von Der Ahe, The Vons Companies
Bob Wilson, Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

CGA to seek long-term solution.

SACRAMENTO, CA – (March 9, 2010) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed CGA-backed legislation designed to restore the state’s beleaguered Beverage Container Recycling Program and Fund to solvency through June.

Additionally, the bill helps to lay the groundwork for a long-term solution by temporarily implementing many of the issues grocers will seek in a long-term fix. The measure, AB 8x 7 (Evans et. al.) was approved by the Legislature more than a week ago.

Specific components of the bill include:

• Temporary acceleration of distributor payments into the fund.
• Temporary reductions in non-core expenditures.
• A requirement that program participants be given at least 90-days notice of any future proportionate reductions.
• A prohibition on future borrowing from the Beverage Container Recycling Fund.
• Retroactive restoration of proportionate reductions through June 30, 2010.

In his signing message, the Governor made clear that he expects further work to be completed this year. He noted that, “…structural changes to the Program are essential before the next fiscal year begins in order to ensure that program participants do not see another loss in funding. I urge the Legislature to work with my Administration expeditiously to enact the long-term solutions I proposed in January.”

In the next several weeks, recyclers should begin to see relief as the bill took effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature.

CGA President Ronald Fong called the Governor’s signing, “a positive first step on the road to a permanent solution.” CGA is seeking a long-term legislative fix that will restore and improve the landmark program.

Major issues to be addressed in the long term include prioritization of fund expenditures, addressing citing issues that often prevent willing grocers from facilitating recycling operations, and updating the antiquated convenience zone system that hampers competition and convenience.

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies. Retail membership includes chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores and mass merchandisers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

A Victory for Fairness in Food Retailing and Inner City Consumers

SACRAMENTO, CA S (February 25, 2010) The California Legislature moved one step closer on Thursday to providing a short-term solution to the State’s Beverage Container Recycling Program crisis, thanks in large part to the California Grocers Association.

The State Assembly passed AB 8x 7 on a bipartisan 63-0 vote. The Senate passed the bill last week on a 30-6 vote. The legislation now moves to the Governor’s desk and will take effect immediately upon signature.

The key provisions of the bill include:

• A temporary acceleration of distributor payments into the fund.
• Temporary reductions in non-core expenditures.
• A requirement that program participants be given at least 90-days’ notice of future proportionate reductions.
• Language intended to prohibit future borrowing from the Beverage Container Recycling Fund (BCRF).
• Retroactive restoration of proportionate reductions between Jan. 1, 2010, and June 30, 2010.

“CGA met with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to stress the importance of approving this bill,” said CGA President Ronald Fong. “This measure is important not only because it restores the Program to solvency through June, but it sets important precedents for issues the grocery industry will seek on a permanent basis.”

If signed by the governor, CalRecycle estimates recyclers could see relief within 30 days. Fong said he is optimistic the Governor will sign the legislation.

“This is only the beginning though,” Fong said. “CGA is seeking through legislation a long-term legislative fix that will restore and improve this landmark program.”

Major issues to be addressed in the long term include prioritization of fund expenditures, addressing citing issues that often prevent willing grocers from facilitating recycling operations, and updating the antiquated convenience zone system that hampers competition and convenience.

“CGA wishes to thank its members for their strong support and involvement in educating lawmakers to the importance of passing this short-term solution,” Fong said.

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies. Retail membership includes chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores and mass merchandisers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

Beverage Recycling Tops List of Industry Concerns.

SACRAMENTO, CA (December 18, 2009) –California’s grocery industry leaders recently met in Sacramento to set an ambitious legislative policy agenda for 2010.

The California Grocers Association’s Government Relations Committee discussed issues ranging from food safety to Green Chemistry implementation to regulation of single-use carryout bags on both the State and local levels.

“The meeting was an opportunity for CGA member companies to help our government relations team set priorities for the coming year,” noted CGA President and CEO Ron Fong. “Despite the difficult economic climate, lawmakers in Sacramento and in local jurisdictions up and down the state continue to forward additional regulatory proposals.”

The committee unanimously determined that resolving California’s Beverage Container Recycling Program crisis should be the grocery industry’s top priority. Without quick action by lawmakers, the program faces collapse in the coming months. The Association plans to be aggressively proactive in developing an effective solution, including CGA-sponsored legislation to address specific program components particularly difficult for grocers.

In addition, the committee backed a proposal to help update a state law that established a mandatory recycling program for plastic single-use carryout bags at large grocery stores. The program contains limits on local bag regulations that in hindsight have damaged efforts to shift consumers from single-use bags to reusable bags.

On the local level, CGA will dedicate significant time to working with jurisdictions seeking to regulate prepared food packaging, and encourage grocery store development in urban centers. Several barriers exist to such development including parcel sizes, zoning restrictions and transportation issues.

“CGA is poised to pursue an agenda that is unprecedented in the organization’s history,” added Fong. “Historically our association has not been aggressively pro-active. But that is going to change in 2010.”

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 400 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

Will Aggressively Represent CGA in Regulatory Matters

SACRAMENTO, CA (December 15, 2009) – The California Grocers Association has hired Kara Bush as Manager of Government Relations, effective immediately.

Bush will aggressively represent the Association as a second “in-house” lobbyist and focus on State regulatory issues in addition to other government relations department responsibilities.

“While continuing to build our government relations program, it made sense to have further representation in the regulatory arena.” said CGA President and CEO Ronald Fong. “The regulatory process significantly impacts our industry. It can be extremely complex and require considerable time and involvement. Having a staff lobbyist proactively engaged in this arena will be a tremendous benefit to the Association and our members.” Bush will also serve as a second lobbyist for what is anticipated to be an aggressive 2010 CGA legislative agenda.

“For more than a century, CGA’s mission has been to advocate for the California grocery industry,” he said. “The Association has a long history of effective state and local government relations. The addition of a fulltime regulatory lobbyist fills out the government relations team and makes it even stronger.”

Prior to joining CGA, Bush worked in the office of Assemblyman Martin Garrick after three years in the public policy arena.

“Kara will be a great addition to CGA’s advocacy team,” Keri Askew Bailey, Vice President of Government Relations said. “Her experience both in the legislature and in the regulatory arena is a huge plus for the Association.”

In addition to her experience in the California Legislature, Bush worked for the California Department of Insurance and the Franchise Tax Board.

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 400 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

Alliance 
educates 
businesses 
to
 prepare for
 emergencies.

SACRAMENTO, CA (December 21, 2009) – The California Grocers Association has been appointed to the Advisory Council of the ReadySanDiego Business Alliance whose goal is to educate businesses and their employees to prepare for emergencies such as wildfires, earthquakes or pandemics.

The Advisory Council will provide direction for the Business Alliance and is comprised of leading San Diego employers and organizations from a cross-section of industries including media, retail, finance, healthcare, transportation and hospitality.

San Diego businesses are encouraged to join the coalition so as to contribute resources and expertise in preparation for, during and after a local disaster.

“The region’s overall resiliency is a priority for the ReadySanDiego Business Alliance and public-private participation is key to preparing for and lessening the economic impacts of a natural or man-made disaster in our county,” said Ron Lane, director of the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services.

Jill Rulon, CGA Senior Vice President, will represent the Association on the Advisory Council. Rulon also represents CGA at the state emergency services level. The Association is part of a unique private/public partnership that expedites response activities and maximizes resources during a state emergency or disaster. As a charter and lead partner in this statewide disaster response system, CGA helps facilitate business continuity, and provides timely information.

“The ReadySanDiego Alliance is an important tool in helping all businesses understand the importance of disaster preparedness.,” Rulon said. “By partnering with the County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services, businesses can become part of a permanent coalition that will work with public agencies to improve the safety and security of the region. Grocers in the San Diego area should join this important coalition.”

To learn more about the ReadySanDiego Business Alliance, visit www.ReadySanDiego.org < and click on the Business tab.

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The California Grocers Association is a non­profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 400 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

Greater Demand Results In Doubling of Donations

SACRAMENTO, CA (December 10, 2009) –California grocers answered Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver’s holiday season request for food by donating 266,203 pounds to the statewide WE Can Food Drive. In 2008, California grocers donated nearly 120,000 pounds.

Participating grocers included Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets, Inc., Raley’s, Ralphs Grocery Co., Safeway Inc., Save Mart Supermarkets and Vons Companies Inc.

Truckloads of donated food from throughout California rolled into California Emergency Foodlink Distribution Centers in Sacramento and Southern California the week of December 7 to deliver the much-needed donations. California Emergency Foodlink channels commodities for the State to emergency-feeding agencies throughout California.

The Governor and First Lady hosted the WE Can Holiday Food Drive in conjunction with the 78th Annual State Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 10.

“The outpouring of support from California grocers during this holiday season has been truly remarkable,” said First Lady Maria Shriver. “Arnold and I are incredibly thrilled with the generous donations made to the California Emergency Foodlink. This will positively impact hundreds of thousands of Californians struggling during these incredibly difficult economic times. The grocers have shown that together WE can make a difference. I know it will inspire all Californians to generously donate to help those who are without.”

“This is the second straight year California grocers have answered the Governor and First Lady’s call for donations during the holiday season,” said California Grocers Association President and CEO Ronald Fong. “We more than doubled the donations made the first year. The Governor and First Lady are to be commended for directing such a worthwhile and needed effort.”

Fong added that the WE Can Food Drive donations were in addition to the extensive donation programs in place at most grocery stores throughout California during the holiday season.

“Many of our members, along with many of their customers, are deeply committed to helping others, particularly during the holidays and particularly during these extremely difficult economic times,” Fong said. “To more than double what they donated last year is truly commendable.”

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 400 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

GROCERY EXECUTIVE TO SERVE ONE-YEAR TERM

SACRAMENTO (Dec. 3, 2009) – George Frahm, Executive Vice President, Retail Operations & Administration for Stater Bros. Markets, San Bernardino, CA, was elected California Grocers Association’s 2009-2010 Chairman of the Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting on Dec. 3, 2009.

As Chairman, Frahm will oversee the Association’s numerous programs. CGA is comprised of more than 400 retail companies operating more than 6,000 stores in California and Nevada. The chair serves for one year. He succeeds Immediate Past Chair Bob Ling, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Unified Grocers, Inc., based in Commerce, California.

“George is a real grocer’s grocer,” says CGA President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald Fong. “He is a good businessman with a broad understanding and a deep commitment to our industry. We look forward to his leadership in the coming year.”

In addition to Frahm, the following individuals were elected to the CGA Board of Directors Executive Committee: First Vice Chair, Jim Amen, Super A Foods, Inc.; Second Vice Chair, Mike Silveira, Save Mart Supermarkets; Treasurer, John Quinn, Food 4 Less (Stockton)/Times Supermarkets; Secretary, Mike Stigers, PW Supermarkets; Past Chair, Bob Ling, Unified Grocers, Inc.

This year’s Chairman’s appointments to the Executive Committee include: John LeGuluche, Kraft Foods Global, Inc.; Bill Cote, Superior Grocers, and Jonathan Mayes, Safeway Inc.

Directors elected for a second three-year term include: Norm Carhill, Ralphs Grocery Co.; Kevin Davis, Bristol Farms; Richard Draeger, Draeger’s Supermarkets; William Healy, Bell Carter Foods, Inc.; John Pellington, Focus Brands West; Jim Schulz, International Paper; and Donna Tyndall, Gelson’s Markets.

Directors elected for their first full three-year term include: Dan Atkins, Pepsi Bottling Group; Jim Pirie, Sara Lee Food & Beverage, Dirk Stump, Stump’s Markets; and Sam Tibbitts, Holiday/Sav-Mor Foods.

Former Chairman of the Board Richard Morgan, Jr., Holiday/Sav-Mor Foods, was nominated an Honorary Board Member.

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 450 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

Industry, City Hope To Increase Awareness, Use of Reusable Carryout Bags

SANTA BARBARA, CA (August 28, 2009) – The California Grocers Association is joining forces with the City of Santa Barbara and local environmental groups to educate consumers to the advantages of using reusable carryout bags.

The city’s Environmental Services Division rolled out the program, entitled “Where’s Your Bag” on Friday, August 28, 2009, at a kick-off event in Santa Barbara.

The program aims to increase consumer use of reusable shopping bags through a coordinated effort to educate grocery store staff, customers and the general public that includes staff training, advertising, signage, special events and media releases. The city will distribute to retailers signage to remind shoppers to bring their reusable bags when shopping. Signage includes parking lot signs, window decals for customers’ cars, in-store placards and buttons for grocery employees.

“CGA and its membership are excited to partner with the city on this important educational program,” said CGA President Ronald Fong. “Our industry has strongly supported consumer education as a key to changing customer behavior away from traditional carryout bags and towards reusable bags. We encourage all of our members to participate.”

CGA believes the program will significantly increase consumer awareness and use of reusable shopping bags. “Reusable shopping bags are a readily available, viable and cost effective alternative to traditional shopping bags and we encourage consumers to adopt their use,” said CGA President Ronald Fong. “We commend the City of Santa Barbara for taking the lead in reusable bag awareness and education and hope this event sets the stage for partnerships with other municipalities throughout the state. We appreciate the efforts of our member companies to be part of the overall solution to reduce bag use in the state.”

“Encouraging reusable bag use is an important part of the grocery industry’s efforts to promote reduce, reuse and recycle shopping bags,” Fong said. “Government, industry and consumers must work collaboratively to resolve the issues of litter and waste. By combining our efforts we can effectively educate consumer’s to change their daily habits and significantly increase the use of reusable bags.”

Reusable bag use has increased since the implementation of AB 2449, the statewide plastic bag recycling law, in 2007. Along with requiring grocers to provide in-store plastic bag recycling, the law also calls for grocery retailers to provide reusable shopping bags for sale.

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]

California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814

SACRAMENTO, CA – (July 31, 2009) – The Second District Court of Appeal on July 30, 2009, upheld a trial court ruling that the City of Los Angeles Grocery Worker Retention Ordinance is unconstitutional.

The ordinance was the first attempt in the nation to require a certain class of supermarket retailers to retain workers when a store changed ownership.

California Grocers Association President and CEO Ronald Fong said the Association was pleased and satisfied with the ruling. “We were confident our arguments against the ordinance were sound and the majority of the court agreed,” Fong said.

In a 2-1 decision, the majority ruled in CGA’s favor on two separate bases:

• The court found that the California Retail Food Code (CRFC) preempted this local attempt at creating a health and safety standard both because of the ordinance’s express statement that it was adopted for health and safety purposes and because its provisions impose more onerous standards for retaining employees than the CRFC.
• The court found that the ordinance intrudes into the collective bargaining process as outlined by the National Labor Relations Act by subjecting employers to successorship obligations not provided for in the Federal Act.

The City of Los Angeles passed its controversial grocery worker retention ordinance in December of 2005. The cities of Santa Monica, San Francisco and Gardena also passed similar ordinances.

In May of 2006, CGA mounted a legal challenge to the ordinance labeling it improper, unlawful and unenforceable. The case went to trial in August 2007.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ralph W. Dau issued a final ruling in February of 2008 finding the ordinance to be unconstitutional.

Community and business leaders opposed the ordinance because it encouraged supermarkets and potentially other businesses to locate outside the city limits and to avoid communities where the need is greater.

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The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies. Retail membership includes chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores and mass merchandisers.