Courtesy of About 20,000 Fry’s and Safeway grocery workers in Arizona could walk off the job at 6 p.m. next Friday if the companies and the workers’ union fail to reach a contract deal by the deadline.
If a deal is not reached, it would be the first general Arizona grocery strike in decades.
The union representing the workers delivered its ultimatum to the companies Thursday after no progress was made in this week’s round of negotiations. In a note to members, the president of United Food & Commercial Local 99, Jim McLaughlin, said a strike against one or more of the companies now appears likely.
While the two sides remain at odds over numerous salary and benefit issues, the main stumbling block is health care. The companies traditionally have picked up the tab for their employees’ health insurance and now want them to shoulder more of the cost. That proposal has been unacceptable to the union and its members.
"With the recent negotiating sessions, it became clear their goal is to force us into a position of a strike," McLaughlin said. "We have been clear to the employers as to what an acceptable offer is. They know what it is, but they have refused to cooperate."
Safeway spokeswoman Cathy Kloos said it was a shame the union has put the parties on a collision course over health-care costs similar to or less than what many other workers already pay.
"Most working Americans would consider $5 a week for individual health coverage and $15 a week to cover an entire family a bargain, " she said.
The workers would be entitled to about $150 per week in strike pay should they walk out.
Colorado Unions Join The Insanity
The previous article was in reference to Arizona.
Colorado wants a piece of the action as well. Please consider
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