Fry's, Safeway prepping for possible strike

(November 7th, 2009 @ 3:46pm)

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PHOENIX (AP) - In less than a week, unionized workers at two Arizona grocery store chains may be walking a picket line instead of stocking shelves and cutting meat.

Fry's Food Stores has begun advertising for thousands of temporary workers in the event its estimated 13,000 hourly workers strike.

Fry's recruitment ads began running Saturday and offer a starting wage of $9.50 per hour. Safeway spokeswoman Cathy Kloos said the chain is preparing to do the same.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 99 has threatened to call a strike if the companies and the union fail to reach a contract deal by 6 p.m. Friday.

The union represents most hourly workers at the two grocery chains, including clerks, stockers, meat cutters, produce workers and baggers.

The workers typically make between $7.20 and $12.05 per hour and can expect to receive $100 per week in strike pay if they walk out.

Health care benefits are the main issue between the chains and the union.

The companies have traditionally paid for their employees' health insurance and now want them to shoulder more of the cost.

"Some of our members haven't had a raise in six years," said Jim McLaughlin, United Food & Commercial Local 99 President.

McLaughlin noted that no-cost health care always has been thought of by workers as an offset to the relatively low wages they receive.

"They feel they are already paying premiums through their low wages and are firmly against any proposal that would require them to pay more," McLaughlin said.

This week, McLaughlin said in a note to the rank-and-file that a strike against one or more of the companies now appears likely.

Fry's Food Stores spokeswoman JoEllen Lynn said the company believes it has made a fair offer and is disappointed the union is now organizing for a strike.

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On The Net:

_ http://www.ufcw99.com

_ http://www.ufcw.org/

___

Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com

(Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Last 5 Comments

• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Former Union Meatcutter in Northern Calif.

  Cando364

  I know all to well what it feels like to know that a strike is about to occur. I was a union meatcutter in Northern Calif. from 1972 until 1993. During that time, I endured strikes in 1973, 1976, and a few more. What bothers me the most is that the leaders of UFCW Local 99 are apparently the only ones to vote on the contract, which is a total travesty. During my entire career as a union meatcutter, the rank and file always voted on the proposed contract. I hope they don't strike and that a compromise can be reached.

  49853
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Walk the line

  tweeker

  I hope they win the strike.The bad econmy is nothing more than an excuse.If they loose the health care and the employees can no longer afford it then they will turn to guess who?The government....who pays taxes to the government?You got that right. We do!Think about it.

  49797
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  LOW WAGES!

  Cheney

  "McLaughlin noted that no-cost health care always has been thought of by workers as an offset to the relatively low wages they receive." No, you receive low wages because stocking shelves is a $10.00/hr job.

  49693
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Let's see

  Hoozyer

  Basha's is closing stores in the valley, the economy is down, and just before the holidays the union for these stores is going to call a strike. I am in nursing school and cannot find a part time job. I lost my former job back in 2008, which caused me to switch professions. Before losing that job, I had not had a raise in two years, and my health insurance went up three times. Still, I kept working. As a consumer that must see his family fed, and as a student that needs the money, what do you think I am going to do with regards to this strike??? Even as a temporary job, I can use the money

  49687
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Ignorance is bliss

  pezhead780

  Until you understand, hold your judgment. If you're wondering "why now?", it's because the contract is up, the stores know the economy is bad and the union may have a hard time gaining support (this is evident from the other comments). If the union gives in now, they can never get that benefit back. You may think it's being greedy on the part of the workers, but isn't it equally greedy on the part of the employers, ranked #260 (Fry's) and #379 (Safeway) on the Forbes list?

  49683
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