The first negotiations for a new contract for workers at Albertsons, Pavilions, Ralphs and Vons grocery stores from San Luis Obispo to the U.S.-Mexico border since they voted overwhelmingly to authorize an unfair labor practices strike began Wednesday.
The United Food and Commercial Workers has accused the stores of conducting “surveillance, threats and interrogation of employees” and other “union-busting tactics are designed to interfere with workers’ efforts to achieve a fair contract.”
Courtney Carranza, the director of communications and public affairs for the Southern California Division of Albertsons, Pavilions and Vons, called allegations of unfair labor practices “without merit.”
For four months, seven Southern California UFCW locals and their bargaining teams have been negotiating for a new contract that addresses several issues impacting store operations, working conditions and customer service, including increasing staffing levels, according to the union.
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The UFCW also said it is seeking “living wages, affordable health care benefits (and) a reliable pension.”
The union representing approximately 45,000 workers at the four stores in Southern California announced June 11 that its members had voted overwhelmingly to authorize an unfair labor practices strike.
A vote count was not released. The vote was taken during the first two weeks of June, according to the union.
Members began a series of practice strikes June 16. The union plans to hold what it described as a big practice strike Friday afternoon in front of a Ralphs store in downtown Los Angeles.
The stores have also begun preparations for a possible strike, seeking to hire temporary replacements for striking workers.
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“Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions in Southern California remain committed to productive discussions with the UFCW,” Carranza told City News Service.
“We respect the rights of workers to engage in collective bargaining and are negotiating in good faith to achieve a balanced agreement that rewards our associates, benefits our customers and is sustainable for our company in the competitive grocery industry.”
He added, “Our focus remains on providing exceptional service to our customers and fostering a positive working environment for our associates.”
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A Ralphs spokesperson said in an email to City News Service: “We remain actively engaged in bargaining with the union because we believe the best outcomes are achieved at the table, not through disruption. Our current offer reflects that commitment, including market-leading wage increases for associates over the life of the agreement, and continued investment in industry-leading health care and a pension.
ALSO SEE: CVS workers ratify new contract with higher wages, improved benefits
“These are benefits that many non-union competitors do not offer. We remain committed to good faith bargaining that rewards our hardworking associates and keeps groceries affordable for our customers.”
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The workers’ contracts expired March 2.
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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