UFCW 400 Members Authorize Strikes Against Giant & Safeway

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

UFCW 400 Members Authorize Strikes Against Giant & Safeway(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

 

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