Members Vote No in Ind.; Calif., Colo. & Wash. Take Strike Authorization Votes — Essential Voice Strike Ready Edition #7
Members of UFCW Local 700 across Indianapolis and central Indiana successfully voted NO on a concessionary tentative agreement covering over 8,000 Kroger workers. Plus, UFCW Locals 7, 135, 324, 770, 1167, and 3000 are voting simultaneously this week to authorize a strike against the Big Grocers.
Members from UFCW Locals 7 and 770 visiting contract bargaining with Kroger and Albertsons in UFCW Local 3000 Seattle, Wash.
SoCal, Colorado, and Washington Take Strike Authorization Votes
For the first time in UFCW history, nearly 100,000 UFCW grocery workers are taking simultaneous strike authorization votes against the Big Grocers.
Members in UFCW Local 7 in Colorado are voting to authorize a strike against Safeway (Albertsons) after talks broke down. King Soopers (Kroger) workers have voted to extend their return-to-work agreement until June 8 and are not voting to authorize a strike. The return-to-work agreement was established in February, after King Soopers workers concluded a 12-day strike against the company.
Southern California workers are voting to authorize an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike against both Kroger and Albertsons companies. Votes are being held in UFCW Locals 135, 324, 770, and 1167. The bargaining coalition of Southern California locals covers over 50,000 grocery workers across the area.
In Washington, UFCW Local 3000 is also voting to authorize a strike at both Kroger and Albertsons-owned stores.
A strike is the most powerful tool workers have to fight the boss. The more members are involved in a strike, the stronger it is.
Although strike dates have not yet been decided, if workers in all three states decided to strike these companies at the same time, our power would be unbreakable.
Members Vote Down Contract in Indiana
Members of UFCW Local 700 across Indianapolis and central Indiana successfully voted NO on a concessionary tentative agreement covering over 8,000 Kroger workers. The contract was rejected by 74%.
After months of secretive negotiations, members had just four days to review the contract and vote.
The contract included wage increases of between $0.50 and $1 for thousands of workers, with raises below inflation — effectively a pay cut. Some workers (Utility Clerks) would be making just $13.25 at the end of the 4 year contract in 2029.
Updated seniority rights also meant only full-time workers accumulated seniority rights, while part-timers got left behind. New spousal coverage looked good on paper but the fine print showed it wouldn’t begin until January 1,2029, at $80-90/week for coverage.
Members got organized and took action. They turned out to vote NO on this contract full of givebacks. Now, the bargaining committee has a mandate from the membership to fight for a better deal.
