SAN JOSE, Calif. — Members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 5 employed by Lucky-Save Mart have authorized a strike by a 94% margin. Ballots were counted Friday night after a week-long series of meetings held from Ukiah to Salinas. Members have been involved in negotiations with their employer since September of 2011. The talks have been bogged down over employer demands for massive takeaways in benefits for active and retired members. Talks have also floundered on management insistence on reductions in job status that would lead to large pay cuts or layoffs for hundreds of workers across the region.
"This vote brings a reality check to a set of negotiations which is sorely lacking realistic expectations on the company's part. Our members realize that Lucky-Save Mart is in rough shape, they see it every day they go to work. We have made dozens of proposals to stabilize the company in an attempt to fix chain's market-share issues. It's time for the company to get back to the table and negotiate an agreement that is acceptable to our members, their employees," said UFCW Local 5 President Ron Lind as he left the vote count.
The strike authorization vote gives the bargaining committee the ability to call a strike against the company.
Source: United Food and Commercial Workers