Food4less workers overwhelmingly authorize strike after week of voting
Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local union, which represents around 6,000 Food4less workers, overwhelmingly authorized a strike during a week-long vote after their previous contract expired without a new agreement in place.
The strike authorization vote was announced over the weekend and results were announced early Friday evening.
"Food 4 Less executives have decided to resort to unlawful tactics instead of following federal labor law and treating the bargaining process with the respect and seriousness that it deserves. Today's overwhelming strike authorization vote sends a clear message to the company: we will not be divided," said a statement from UFCW representatives.
The union demands include higher pay and safety improvements for workers represented by UFCW Locals 8GS, 324, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442.
"When we started contract negotiations with Food4Less/Foods Co., we made it clear that it important to use that we reach a tentative agreement before contract expiration and we came to the table willing to put in the time and work to get that done," said a statement from union officials on Saturday. "But instead of working with us towards a reasonable contract, our employer would rather play games with our livelihood and offer proposals that grossly underestimate our value and their wealth."
Their contract expired in early June.
The union claims that the company is attempting to strong-arm workers into accepting an offer that is less than what the parent company, Kroger, provides for other grocery workers in the area.
"Everyone deserves a wage that reflects their work and no one deserves to be bullied at their job," the union statement said. "By violating our rights, Food4less and Kroger are making it harder to help our customers and keep our stores well-serviced, which is why we've been forced to take a strike authorization vote."
There are 15 Food4less locations in the Los Angeles area.
In May, UFCW Locals filed unfair labor practices charges against Food4Less/Foods Co., alleging that they undermined negotiations and workers's rights to representation. Union officials also said that the company engaged in unlawful surveillance of workers, prohibited them from participating in union activities and blocked them from talking with union representatives in the past.
Late Saturday, Food4less shared a statement with KCAL News, which read in part:
"From the start, our focus has been on reaching an agreement that benefits our hardworking and dedicated associates. We are deeply disappointed that UFCW Southern California chose to leave the bargaining table before contract expiration, rather than working together to prioritize the needs of their members — our valued associates. It remains our goal to put more money in our associates' pockets, maintain industry leading healthcare and provide retirement benefits for their futures."