UFCW 400 Members Authorize Strikes Against Giant & Safeway
Wednesday, November 13, 2013(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
Fired up about management intransigence at the bargaining table, members of
United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400 on Wednesday voted
overwhelmingly to authorize strikes against Giant and Safeway. Their current
contract originally expired on October 31st, was extended for two weeks and has
since been extended through December 20th, while bargaining takes place on a new
agreement. "Today’s vote does not mean that a strike will occur," Local 400
said in a press release, but "it sends a strong signal" to both supermarkets
"that members will do whatever it takes to get a fair contract." Tasha Schrantz,
a Local 400 member serving on the Bargaining Advisory Committee who works at
Giant #749, said that “We’re the ones making all their money and it’s
about time they recognize that and start respecting us.” “We need to keep
this momentum up," added LaWanda Nedd-Kea, a Bargaining Advisory Committee
member who works at Giant #140. "We have to stand together and we as union
members need to actively support our decision by participating in store
actions.” “The big issue at the table has been health care and today, our
union brothers and sisters refused to go backward and authorized our local union
leadership to call a strike,” said Vivian Sigouin, a Bargaining Advisory
Committee member who works at Safeway #1431.“Today, our members put Giant on
notice that it is long past time to come to the table with a proposal that
provides them with the security, respect and dignity they have more than
earned,” said Local 400 President Mark P. Federici. “All our members ask of
management is a fair deal that reflects all they contribute to the bottom line.
No one wants a strike, but if that is the only way to get a contract providing
living wages and health and retirement security, that is what we will do.”
photo courtesy @UFCW400