Prepare to start bagging your own food at the grocery store next week. Employees of El Lay's favorite grocery store chains have been cleared by union officials to go on strike Monday.
Upset over low wages and corporate unwillingness to contribute more to rising health care costs, the United Food and Commercial Workers union issued a 72-hour notice on Thursday to cancel their contract extension with Ralphs, Vons, and Albertsons.
UFCW union leaders said in a statement:
“We’re ready to fight to preserve good jobs. We understand this is a tough economy, but we’re willing to stand up for workers everywhere being taken advantage of by profitable corporations."
Although they've been given permission to strike and the picket signs are made, that doesn't mean the employees will ACTUALLY go on strike. Vons said in a statement:
"The notice does not mean a strike is imminent or that a strike will necessarily occur at any point. The notice simply allows the union the ability to call a strike if they choose to do so. Vons and the other employers intend to remain focused on the negotiation process and urge the unions to do so the same."
We appreciate our friendly neighborhood grocery store employees! Especially the workers that offer to help take our groceries to our car. Even though we never accept, it's always appreciated!
Good luck in the negotiations UFCW 770!
Tags: albertsons, el lay, employees, grocery store, health care, ralphs, southern california, ufcw, union, vons, workers
