On Friday, seven local chapters of the United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW) voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing the strike, according to the committee.
The UFCW local chapter, which represents more than 6,000 Food 4 Less/Foods workers across California, cited unfair labor practices by parent company Kroger as the reason for the strike authorization vote.
“Instead of following federal labor law and treating the bargaining process with the respect and seriousness it deserves, Food 4 Less leadership has decided to resort to illegal tactics,” the UFCW Food 4 Less/Foods Company Negotiating Committee wrote.
The bargaining committee has been in talks with Kroger since April to negotiate a new contract that would improve employee benefits.
Food 4 Less/Foods Co. members from all seven UFCW chapters held a strike authorization vote from June 10 to June 14, according to the committee.
The vote came after workers alleged numerous labor violations by Kroger throughout contract negotiations.
On May 22, the workers filed numerous unfair labor practice complaints with the National Labor Relations Board.
The allegations include that Kroger discriminated against unionized employees and attempted to disrupt union activities.
The bargaining committee is scheduled to resume talks with Kroger on Monday.
