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4d ago

U.S. Grocery Workers Authorize Widespread Strikes as Summer Talks Stall

Unions hope looming strike deadlines will pressure Kroger, Albertsons to deliver pay raises, expanded staffing plus better benefits before peak summer demand

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Safeway and Albertsons workers in Colorado have rejected a final offer from management, setting the clock ticking on a strike, which could happen as soon as Sunday morning. The store pictured here is at 757 E. 20th Ave. in Denver. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
A strike would shut down many Kroger locations. 

Overview

  • More than 100,000 grocery employees in Indiana, Colorado and Southern California have voted to authorize strike action against Kroger, Albertsons and Safeway.
  • Indiana’s UFCW Local 700 rejected a tentative contract by a 74 percent margin, activating strike authority across over 100 Kroger stores in central Indiana.
  • UFCW Local 7 in Colorado gave 72 hours’ notice after nine months of bargaining failed to resolve low wages, understaffing and health-care cuts, setting picket lines as soon as Sunday.
  • Workers accuse the supermarket chains of unfair labor practices—including surveillance, intimidation and retaliation—and describe proposed raises as low as 50 cents an hour.
  • New bargaining sessions are scheduled later this week in Indianapolis and June 25–27 in Southern California with a veteran federal mediator expected to join talks.