Sooper Strike Bulletin #4 - Fri., Feb. 14th 2025
How to Turn Away Customers
When customers cross the picket line, it can be demoralizing. But don’t lose hope. You can stop customers from crossing the picket line. Read our tips and tricks below.
SAMPLE SCRIPT
“Hi, how are you? Would you please consider shopping somewhere else today?
My coworkers and I have been out here all week in the cold on strike against unfair labor practices. Kroger isn’t bargaining in good faith with our union. They’re saying that in order to properly staff the store and pay us fair wages, they need to take money away from our pensions. This is a multi-billion dollar company!
If you scan this QR code, it gives you a map of all the stores nearby you can shop at instead. The nearest [grocery store name] is [number of minutes] minutes away. And if you turn around now, all my coworkers and I will cheer and clap for you and it will be super fun!”
TIPS & TRICKS
Start from far away. Explaining why you and your coworkers are on ULP strike and redirecting the customer to another store can take a long time. Many customers will try to rush past you. Get a head start by giving them a big smile and wave as they approach from the parking lot.
Be friendly. It may be hard to stay upbeat after spending all day in the cold and even facing less-than-friendly passersby, but a positive attitude can make a big difference when approaching customers.
Have the nearest alternative store in mind. On Valentine’s Day, many customers are “Just coming in for a card!” or “Only here because I forgot to get flowers!”. If you can point them to the nearest Safeway, Walgreens, or other store that can meet their needs — and tell them how many minutes away it is — you increase your chances of getting them to go.
Make it fun. Get your picket line to cheer and clap when customers turn around. Even better, take a selfie with them and post it on social media! You may even find that all the clapping and cheering lifts your mood a little bit, too.
HOW TO TURN AWAY DELIVERIES AND TRUCKS
Many deliveries to the store are made by Teamsters, often members of Teamsters Local 455. Teamsters Local 455 has publicly expressed their support of the strike. Many Teamsters have a right, protected by their contract, to refuse to cross picket lines and refusing to make deliveries to stores that are on strike. When deliveries aren’t made, the store loses major money.
IDENTIFYING A TEAMSTER DELIVERY
Deliveries by the following companies are typically (but not always) made by Teamsters:
Americold
Eagle Rock (Beverage Distributor)
Sysco
Transervice
Breakthru Beverage
Rock Harbor Logistics
Meadow Gold Dairy/DFA
Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits
Please note that some of these companies may use subcontractors who do not have the same contract language as Teamsters. Even some Teamster contracts may not include explicit rights to respect picket lines — but Teamsters Local 455 has clearly stated their intent to not cross the line.
APPROACHING THE DRIVER
Introduce yourself and ask if they are a Teamster.
Inform them that this is a picket line, and ask them not to cross. Share what you and your coworkers are fighting for. You can ask...
“Do you know if you have language in your contract that lets you refuse to cross picket lines?”
If no or unsure...
“Would you mind calling your shop steward or union rep to make sure?”
If yes...
“Would you be able to turn the truck around to honor our picket line?”
Be patient. It may take a while for them to hear back from their rep and/or supervisor. Don’t give up. Hang out by the truck in a safe location and talk to the driver about the strike while you wait.
Thank them, cheer, take photos and videos!
