Union members representing 6,000 Food for Less employees, including those in San Diego, voted this week on whether to authorize a strike after their current contract expired without a tentative agreement on a new one.
Results will be announced after polls close on Friday, according to a statement from United Food and Commercial Workers Locals 8GS, 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442.
The contract expired on Saturday.
The union’s demands include higher wages and improved safety.
“When we began contract negotiations with Food 4 Less/Foods, we made it clear that it was important to reach a tentative agreement before the contract deadline and we were prepared to put in the time and effort to do so,” union officials said in a statement Saturday. “But instead of working with us toward a reasonable contract, the employer has offered us an offer that grossly undervalues our value and their wealth, at the expense of our livelihoods.”
“Everyone deserves to be paid what they’re paid and shouldn’t be bullied in the workplace. By violating our rights, Food 4 Less and Kroger are making it harder for us to help our customers and maintain service in our stores, which is why we were forced to hold a strike authorization vote.”
A representative for Food 4 Less did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Food 4 Less, which has six stores in San Diego County, four of which are in the city, is, like Ralphs, a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., which operates 15 stores in the Los Angeles area.
Kroger released a statement over the weekend saying the company would “continue to negotiate in good faith.”
“From the beginning, our focus has been on reaching an agreement that benefits our hard-working and dedicated employees,” the company said. “We are deeply disappointed that UFCW Southern California has chosen to walk away from the negotiating table before the contract deadline rather than working together to prioritize the needs of their members — our valued employees. Putting more money in employees’ pockets, preserving industry-leading health care and providing retirement benefits for their future remains our goal.”
“We will continue to balance our desire to invest in our employees with the need to ensure our customers can buy groceries at affordable prices. Our employees are the most important part of our business and we look forward to reaching an agreement that is beneficial for all parties.”
On May 22, the union local filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Food 4 Less/Foods, alleging that the company violated workers’ rights to negotiate and represent themselves. Union officials said the company illegally surveilled workers, barred them from participating in union activities, prevented them from discussing with union representatives, and unilaterally changed their contracts.
The union also alleged that the company was trying to force employees to accept a lower wage offer than parent company Kroger was offering to other grocery store employees in the area.
Shoppers and employees react to possible strike vote
NBC 7’s Allison Ash spoke with several Food 4 Less shoppers and employees on Monday ahead of the vote.
“I actually didn’t know about it until I got here on Saturday. They’re looking for temporary workers? For what?” shopper Tracy Lane told NBC7’s Allison Ash. “I was like, ‘Is it a temporary worker?’ [the strike] “It affects me. I don’t come here that often, maybe once a week.”
“I get it, it makes sense because prices have really gone up and wages haven’t gone up,” shopper Charles Martinez said. “I understand it’s a business decision to keep the stores open and they have a business that we need.”
“Our opening hours have been reduced. The company is asking us to increase production. We are running out of cleaning materials and things like that,” said employee Brennan Dutt.
“If I go across the street to Chick-fil-A or another fast food place, I can make $21 or $22 an hour base wage. I think it’s about $17 now. I’d make $18 and a temp worker would make $21. I’m going to work harder to make money,” Dutt said.
Dutt added that he doesn’t blame casual workers for taking jobs, but it’s a whole different story for their employers.
“I blame Kroger for taking this threatening stance, saying they can just replace us, but they can’t. They’re going to close my department, the bakery and deli department. Kroger won’t be able to do everything a trained worker can do,” Dutt said.
“Morale is at an all-time low. If we lose our jobs, it’s not a big deal because there are plenty of other places that pay us more. If they don’t treat us like the trained, hard-working people that we are, then we have no problem moving on,” Dutt said.
