Albertsons, Pavilions, Ralphs and Vons Workers Authorize Strike

RIVERSIDE (CNS) - Workers at Albertsons, Pavilions, Ralphs and Vons
grocery stores will begin preparations today for a possible strike.
  

Local 770 of the United Food and Commercial Workers union,
representing approximately 45,000 workers at the four stores in Southern
California, announced Wednesday that its members had voted overwhelmingly to
authorize a strike.
  

``Our message is clear: We are fed up with these corporations' union-
busting tactics designed to intimidate us and prevent us from getting the fair
contract that we've earned and deserve,'' according to a statement from the
Bargaining Committee of Locals 324 and 770 of the United Food and Commercial
Workers.
  

``For four months, we've negotiated with Kroger and Albertsons,
offering solutions to the staff shortage crisis that hurts store operations,
working conditions, and customer service. The companies have dismissed our
proposals and claimed that our concerns were `anecdotal', downplaying the real
challenges we and our customers face daily.
  

``At the same time, the companies have broken labor laws by engaging
in unlawful surveillance, interrogation of members at actions, threats, and
retaliation for union activity. This is unacceptable,'' the statement
continued.
  

`` ... This strike authorization vote means that we expect the
companies to return to the bargaining table, negotiate a deal that works for
everyone, and desist from their unlawful tactics, before we walk out and hit
the picket lines.''
  

A vote count was not released. The vote was taken the first two weeks
of June, according to the union.
  

There was no immediate response to emails sent Wednesday night to
Albertsons, which is also the parent company of Pavilions and Vons, and The
Kroger Co., the parent company of Ralphs, seeking comment.
  

Negotiations are scheduled to resume on June 25, according to the
union. The workers' contracts expired March 2.
  

The union said it is seeking ``living wages, affordable healthcare
benefits, a reliable pension (and) more staffing and better working conditions
for a better customer experience.''
  

A strike authorization vote does not necessarily mean there will be a
strike.
  

Union members approved a three-year contract in 2022 after a
threatened strike, including wage increases of $4.25 per hour for most workers
while some classifications received higher pay raises.
  

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