11/15/2009 6:00:00 AM
Strikes at food stores averted by 3-year deal
| |
|
KINGMAN - A possible worker strike at three local grocery stores was over before it started Friday.
Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers' Union Local 99 reached an agreement on a tentative 3-year contract with the Safeway, Smith's and Fry's grocery chains, mere hours before workers were set to go on strike at 6 p.m. Friday.
According to Safeway spokeswoman Cathy Kloos, the agreement was struck late Thursday evening. The union will now submit the tentative contract to its members for a collective vote on whether or not to adopt it. In the meantime, she said, there will be no work stoppage at either of Kingman's two Safeway stores or its Smith's store.
Details of the union contract are being withheld from the public until union members have had the chance to review and vote on it.
The deal comes after 13 months of negotiations over wages, benefits and healthcare. A statement on the union's Web site praised the agreement, noting that the last year had been a tense and difficult time for employees and their families, many of whom had been torn between going on strike and being paid $100 a week just as the holiday season began, or choosing to cross the picket line.
"As the holiday season begins, we can all be grateful for the opportunity to work under a union contract that provides fair wages and benefits and dignity on the job," the statement concluded.
|
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
Donald
What a waste of time and resources for this non-event. Had the union employees gone on strike, there were hundreds of people more than willing to take those jobs. It is amazing that with the economy the way it is, the unions dare to jeopardize the livelyhood of the union members for some personal gratification. It is truly amazing! I think the union leaders are on some power or ego trip.
Posted: Monday, November 16, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I dont quite unsder stand things when i was working if i didnt kike the pay or benefits, i went else where, if i didnt like conditions, I talked to the boss, this is a different world for sure.
Posted: Monday, November 16, 2009
Article comment by:
Al G
Not knowing the terms of the agreement, but that the union leaders appear satisfied, I would think that the membership would go along with the settlement.
It seems to me that with Thanksgiving and Christmas pending that a strike would be an unnecessary hardship for both parties. I think May would be a better time when the weather is good and the snow birds have gone home.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
