Week in Review: American Licorice Workers on Strike, Students Send Holiday Cards to Troops

Monday, Dec. 5

About 175 American Licorice Company workers began striking Monday at midnight in protest of the company's proposed contract offer, which the employees say includes an unfair increase in healthcare costs. The company, however, says the offer is generous in the current economic climate. .

Thousands attended the annual Santa Paws Parade in Hayward over the weekend. The event featured everything from dogs and cats to a pig and a miniature horse dressed as a reindeer. .

Union City Leisure Services recently released their winter/spring activity guide. See what new and returning programs will be available .

Tuesday, Dec. 6

We sat down with Police Chief Greg Stewart, who is set to retire at the end of the month, ending a tenure of tactful leadership during fiscally trying times. .

Police at the Four Corners shopping center near Fremont Bank. The men were wanted in connection to an attempted home burglary in Fremont and were believed to be armed.

We also caught up with the owners of , a shoe shop in Newark that features rare and unique sneakers. The owners, Union City residents, recently celebrated their one-year anniversary.

Wednesday, Dec. 7

Students from Hillview Crest Elementary School . Second grade teacher Norma Pederson led the school-wide project because she wanted the students to know that "they can give something that isn’t monetary, that’s of the heart,” she said.

In the new weekly segment "Who's Hiring?" we scoured the web for . If you know of any openings, feel free to send them our way. Email Union City Patch editor at zoneil.maharaj@patch.com.

Thursday, Dec. 8

We announced Patch.com's Deck the House contest. Through the contest, which runs across all 860 Patch.com sites (yes, there's a lot more than just Union City Patch), the person with the best decorated holiday home will win $100,000 for their local school district. Learn more about the challenge or visit http://deckthehouse.patch.com.

The . More than 500 people have filed reports of theft, including a Union City resident who said more than $2,500 was taken from his bank account.

Friday, Dec. 9

On their fifth consecutive day of non-stop striking, American Licorice employees showed no signs of backing down, even in the cold temperatures. Many of the workers on strike have worked for the company for the majority of their lives, they said. . Also read the full terms of the contract being offered by the company .

This week's police log contained reports of armed robberies at a 76 gas station and a 7-Eleven store, among other incidents. .

Saturday, Dec. 10

We visited a local Christmas tree lot to find out how to pick the best tree. .