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Grocery workers vote on strike
Two-thirds would have to OK rejection of employers' proposal
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Richard Quinn / Special to The Star Ralphs workers Gary Mascorro and Margie Martinez arrive at the union meeting in Oxnard.
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More from County NewsVentura County grocery workers expressed frustration and anger Sunday as they joined thousands across Southern California to vote on whether to authorize union leaders to call for a strike.
On-and-off contract negotiations have continued for more than six months between seven Southern California unions — under United Food and Commercial Workers — and their three employers: Kroger Co.'s Ralphs, Safeway Inc.'s Vons and Pavilions, and Supervalu Inc.'s Albertsons.
A decision to hold votes Sunday came after unions set a June 21 deadline to receive a contract proposal.
At least 1,000 people showed up at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center throughout the day, first hearing presentations and then voting on whether to reject or approve a proposal from employers, said Martel Fraser, secretary-treasurer for the local union 1036, which conducted the local voting.
At least 90 percent voted to reject the proposal, she said.
Union members voted on one ballot, union officials said.
In order to reject the proposal, more than a majority of members would have to approve the rejection. To authorize a strike, however, at least two-thirds would have to approve it.
Final numbers could not be provided until after voting finishes today, officials said.
Brad Chase, a spokesman for the three employers, said that the June 21 deadline was arbitrary and unreasonable, and that holding a vote was unnecessary.
"That's something that we believe is very unfair for employees because they won't be able to see what our last, best and final offer is," he said Saturday.
'We've run out of time'
A spokesman for the union, however, disagreed.
"We spent the last half-year at the bargaining table with them — half a year," said Mike Shimpock, speaking on behalf of the union Saturday. "And I think that we've run out of time and there's been plenty of time.
"Apparently negotiations with them have been a waste of time because they refuse to try to even reach a deal with us."
From 60,000 to 65,000 workers are affected by negotiations at 859 supermarkets from Bishop to San Diego. About 3,000 workers in 45 supermarkets in the county are affected by negotiations.
Jana Knittle walked out of the Oxnard center saying the employers were greedy.
"I think it's how corporations are," said Knittle, a bakery manager at an Albertsons in Simi Valley. "They want the dollar, and they don't care who they have to step on or hurt or not appreciate — as in their own employees — to get it."
Albertsons workers already voted to authorize a strike in March.
One issue that Knittle and other workers saw as contentious was wages.
Under the current contract, there is a two-tier wage system. New workers earn less while many veteran workers receive more.
Knittle said she believes that they should receive the same wages if they are doing the same job.
A tier system should not be included in the next contract because it causes "segregation," bitterness, hostility and other negative feelings in the workplace, she said.
Dorothy Bewley walked into the center ready to vote.
She could not, however, because she did not have time to sit and listen to one of the presentations, which were given throughout the day.
Nevertheless, Bewley, who has worked at several Vons locations in the county for about 23 years, said she was upset that negotiations had come this far.
"I was going to vote because this is unfair," said Bewley, 65 of Oxnard.
Bewley said she felt that employers were not offering good healthcare plans for employees, one of the main contentious issues during negotiations.
Richard Quinn / Special to The Star Dorothy Bewley of Oxnard, who has worked at several Vons locations in the county for about 23 years, said she felt that employers were not offering good healthcare plans for employees.
Workers who were hired after the most recent March 2004 contract, which is still in effect, have to wait several months to receive individual healthcare coverage and many months for family coverage.
Results expected today
Chase said that employers have offered a shorter waiting period for healthcare coverage and that considerable progress has been made during negotiations.
Shimpock, however, contended that no real progress was made regarding healthcare negotiations.
Voting results are expected to be announced today, union officials said.
If voters authorize leaders to call a strike, union negotiators would have to give 72-hour notice before doing so.
It would be the first time that a strike has taken place in Southern California since 2003-04.
Chase, spokesman for the employers, said negotiations should continue this week but could not provide a specific date. Union representative Shimpock, however, said no meetings are scheduled.
If a strike occurs, its impact on consumers, employers and workers would be "significant," said Ken Jacobs, chairman of the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education.
"What's happened is shoppers after the strike have been slow to return," Jacobs, an expert on labor issues and health finance issues, said in reference to the 2003-04 strike.
Employers lost a big customer base because of the strike, he said, and shoppers were inconvenienced.
"A strike of any length of time will have that impact."
Posted by smithjc on June 25, 2007 at 3:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i'm ready to patronize the little "mom & pop" stores again if they strike. during the last strike i went out of my way to make sure i didn't shop at the chain stores. even after it was "okay" to shop at ralph's, i didn't patronize them, as they were price gouging and i was spending less (believe it or not) at the independents.
Posted by Tom_Johnston on June 25, 2007 at 5:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Agreed, my wife and I are ready to shop elsewhere, it's a bit of a hassle but isn't that tough to do.
All three chains in Ventura County have found money to upgrade or rebuild a number of stores. They have money to pay fair wages to workers. Many people don't know that even with the benefit package they offer, they will often schedule people's hours so they won't qualify for benefits.
People need to understand that a relentless drive to push wages to bedrock levels, while corporations and CEO's earn record profits and compensation is just bad for our society.
I hope it doesn't happen, but will support grocery workers again if it does.
Posted by djh329 on June 25, 2007 at 6:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
IF they strike, WE need to support the workers.
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on June 25, 2007 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Agreed KingsFan - I remember the last time we had this going on, I literally HAD to go to the store to get something for my kids- and I was yelled at and screamed at for going in. Needless to say I didnt go back in during the strike, they can voice their opinion, and do their strike, but at the time there are some of us that have kids and have emergencies that we had to tend to. You shouldnt get screamed at because you had to go to the store at 9pm at night to get something needed.
Posted by olearyd on June 25, 2007 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I will support the employees and their families. When the workers are respected we all win.
Posted by RelaxPeople on June 25, 2007 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I will take advantage of the great deals at these stores dut to the strike!!!! I enjoy entering these store when the strike is going on, i kinda feel like a celebrity; not Brad Pitt or any revered celebrity, more of a Paris Hilton type celebrity. A lot of stares and a few boos. Quite flattering!
Posted by Cat on June 25, 2007 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I do 90% of my shopping between TJ's and Target because items there are MUCH cheaper but another strike IS a huge irritation because all the other smaller stores become way too crowded. It's a fight to shop.
Posted by RelaxPeople on June 25, 2007 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good point Cat about the over crowding of other stores. Another reason to continue shopping at the strike-affected stores, NO LINES!!!!
Posted by jkaspr on June 25, 2007 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I completely supported them last time!
They agreed to this contract!
If they didnt think it was fair the last time they shouldnt have approved it. They locked out last time and it was an inconvenience to most of us. They dont get my support this time.
I dare them to say something to me. I work and support my family on my wages and benefits. If I dont like it I can go earn my way somewhere else.
I know I wont be popular with my neighbors and friends who support the strike action but again....They approved this contract and now they dont like it?
Posted by Just_wondering on June 25, 2007 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yursodumb is right...in the real world competitive marketplace, those who only have high school diplomas do not get high paying (or at least decent) jobs with benefits. Working at grocery stores (other than in management) should be a job for high school kids or kids putting themselves though college, not for people supporting a family. There are very few non union jobs that will pay as well as grocery stores do for basically unskilled, uneducated labor (those who have gone through college).
Posted by PonceMom on June 25, 2007 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with Yursodumb and Just_wondering, where else a basically unskilled, uneducated workforce makes $15/hour plus benefits? I have a degree in science and didn't make that much in my first five years in the work force. Wake up and smell the coffee, if you want better wages and better benefits, get an education.
Posted by 805grl on June 25, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not again!!
Posted by chipuridel on June 25, 2007 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i wonder if they would support me when i strike at my job when i don't get a raise? As it is now i don't have sick leave or benefits so i don't know what they are complaining about. i will continue to shop at vons because it is not fair to me or my family to go out of my way to shop somewhere else.
Posted by BeaHappi on June 25, 2007 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow! I'm glad that we're going on vacation soon...hopefully this will be resolved before we get back and have to cross a line.
Companies are in business to make money. Why is it a horrible thing that the grocers are turning a profit? I'm glad that my company makes a profit - it means that I get to keep my job.
Healthcare is changing across many industries, in regards to what employers provide to employees. Even Amgen, who offered the queen mother of all health plans to its employees is providing less this year. It's the way it is.
Customer service jobs are not the easiest, because you deal with all walks of life. But it seems to me that the pay is good based on what the requirements are.
Posted by THX1138 on June 25, 2007 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Interesting how we get 2 different stories one from the union and one from the grocery co's. Who's lying; both have motives...
I agree with most; learn a trade and get a better job - that's what the rest of us do.
Another strike will just result in higher prices - that's always the end result...
Thanks! :(
Posted by shaver_one on June 25, 2007 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Will the Union pay me the difference in food prices that I WILL be paying if the Union gets their way? Don't be fooled. The Big Corps won't absorb any new hikes in wages or benefits. They'll simply pass it along to the consumer...like they always do. It's not right, but it is fact. I find it offensive that the same people who voted for the contract three years ago, still want me to pay for their healthcare. Why don't these grocery workers pay for MY healthcare?
I will continue to shop at Vons, and enjoy the aisles empty of people who won't cross picket-lines. I will also continue to shop at Wal-Mart and enjopy the low prices. And, I will continue to shop at Costco, for the 'volume' discounts.
A better use of your energy, would be to vote people into office that support Universal Healthcare. Then, EVERYONE BENEFITS EQUALLY.
Posted by sunnbear on June 25, 2007 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Quit complaining, you "already overpaid" checkers and baggers. Like popular belief, I say "Go back to school and get a real job"! Move over and let the fresh-outta-high-schoolers have your job. They might appreciate your "little, measley" check that you get.
Posted by cameronincam on June 26, 2007 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me see...
1. Grab can of peas.
2. Slide over scanner
3. Wait for beep
4. Repeat
Yeah that's difficult work. Give me self service checkout and I'd be happy. Time to eliminate the menial jobs.
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