Grocery Workers Vote for Strike Authorization

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

In a not unexpected move, UFCW workers overwhelmingly voted to give their union the authorization to call a strike, if negotiations fail. The vote was a landslide, with 95% voting for the authorization. The grocery workers are unified against the unfair offer by the big chains. They would much rather a fair contract be negotiated, but they are willing to strike to ensure they are able to earn a fair wage. It sounds like turnout was particularly strong. LAT:

Turnout at one location, Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, was heavy by 8:30 a.m., with the school's parking lot filled to overflowing and voters crowded into a stuffy auditorium for a pre-vote briefing by union leaders.

Of those who were polled shortly after their vote, only one said that he was financially prepared for a strike, but everyone interviewed was prepared to support a walkout if union leaders found it necessary.

It was only a few short years ago that they went through a long strike. The overwhelming vote for another potential strike underscores just how unified the UFCW members are right now. The current offer from the big chains is unacceptable.

"What I say at this point is that it is about principle," said Suzanne Demers, 44, a supervisor at Vons store 1623 in Redondo Beach, as she waited for her turn to vote.

"I am struggling already, but what have I got to lose? Customers say to me, 'Please don't go on strike.' But now that I see how I have allowed Vons to deplete me, I know this has to stop. I want to take a stand."

Demers, who makes $10.50 an hour, and her husband, Jim, have struggled to make ends meet. Jim runs a small trucking company by day and then works as late as 2 a.m. every night on a second job as a limousine driver. They share a one-bedroom Hawthorne apartment with their 18-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter.

"A strike is the last thing we want. But the union started negotiating two months before the contract ended, and the employers keep dragging it out," Demers said. "We have two choices: Keep working under these horrible conditions, or we have to put our foot down."

The grocery workers have put their foot down resoundingly with this vote. Now will the big chains listen? Will they offer a fair contract? Let's hope they negotiate fairly and a strike will be avoided. But if they don't, the workers are prepared to strike.