Inspired by strike threats from workers at Ralphs, Albertsons and Vons earlier this year, Food 4 Less employees voted Thursday to authorize a strike if parent company Kroger Co. does not offer them better wages and benefits.
Members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) from seven Southern California unions said workers at Food 4 Less sometimes make as much as $3 less than comparable employees at Ralphs, another Kroger chain.
The UFCW said in a statement that Cincinnati-based Kroger is “deliberately stalling progress” on negotiations as a way to “weaken union resolve.” Bargaining, the unions said, is expected to resume later this month.
UFCW finalized a three-year labor contract with Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons in September after months of negotiations, calling the final deal a “win-win” for both sides.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Los Angeles Times