Union Workers Take On Kroger Banner

Roughly 6,000 workers at Kroger banner Food 4 Less will soon vote on a strike action after their union contract expired Saturday, reports The Guardian. Members are voting on the authorization of a strike if a new deal is not reached with results expected late Friday.

In anticipation of the work stoppage, the retailer is advertising for strike replacement workers, according to the report.

Wage increases are one of the central topics under the new contract terms, with workers claiming their wages and benefits are less than those of other grocery workers in the area.

“We work our butts off and they come back at us with nothing that can help us. We’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck. My daughter is going to college soon and I’m trying to figure out how to pay for that. I can barely pay my mortgage. It’s really hard, and we just want what’s fair,” said Clara Vega, an employee who has been with Food 4 Less for more than 30 years. She is also a member of the bargaining committee.

According to UFCW Local 770, grocery clerks at Food 4 Less stores make on average $4.30 an hour less, receive fewer benefits, and are guaranteed fewer hours than clerks at Kroger-owned Ralph’s stores in the area.

A spokesperson for Food 4 Less said the company offered wage increases of $3.25 an hour over the next three years and no healthcare cost increases.

“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,” said the spokesperson. Full Story

Image: Minnaert, Wikimedia Commons