Big Grocers Unite Against Their Workers

Albertsons, Vons and Ralphs have a new agreement in place to lockout all workers, if employees call a strike in any one chain. The pact is similar to the illegal activities the big grocery chains participated in during the last contract dispute. This is a disappointing move by the chains against their employees. Rather than working to negotiate a fair contract like Sater Bros. and Gelsons, they are ganging up on the employees.

Shimpock said the lockout agreement is evidence that the grocery companies are unwilling to negotiate fairly.

“This is a very foolish and risky escalation on the part of the markets,” Shimpock said. “They are threatening to punish and lock out employees at Ralphs and Vons, two markets that haven't even considered a strike authorization vote, and deny consumers shopping options.

“If they really wanted to protect their customers and employees, then they would have done what Stater Bros. and Gelson's markets did: negotiate a fair contract with their employees on time,” he added. “We do not want a strike; we want a fair contract. Our members have not had a wage increase since 2002, yet Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons are each averaging nearly $3 billion in profits.”

Litigation is ongoing from the previous dispute in 2003-04. Attorney General Jerry Brown is scheduled to go to trail against the big 3 in January.