PORTLAND, Ore. — Grocery workers from across the Northwest have voted to approve a strike if they cannot reach a wage agreement with four of the region's largest supermarket chains, Oregon Public Radio reported Sunday.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 union represents more than 20,000 employees from Albertson's, Fred Meyer, QFC and Safeway stores. The union is battling for increased wages as it tries to secure new contracts for its members.
According to union communications director Kelley McAllister, members across Oregon and southwest Washington "overwhelmingly" support calling a strike if negotiations with employers fall through.
The next meeting between the union and employers is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 29.
Jeffery Temple, director of corporate affairs for Fred Meyer Stores, Inc., said that the company will offer larger wage increases than those included in the previous two contracts, in addition to new pension and benefits packages that will allow most employees to pay $30 or less per month for health care.
"A strike doesn't help anybody, and it certainly doesn't help the negotiation process," Temple said. "We're really just focused on avoiding a strike."
McAllister said that "notable" wage increases would be necessary in order to avoid a strike. Union negotiators are reportedly asking for the largest wage increases for workers in the bakery, deli, and cheese departments, positions they believe are mostly filled by women.
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