85.7 F
San Fernando
Friday, Mar 29, 2024

Prepared to Pack

A heated labor dispute between grocery union workers and the parent companies of three major Southern California supermarket chains — Albertsons, Vons and Ralph’s — has local neighborhood grocery stores preparing for an onslaught of customers in the event the workers strike. The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union and grocery chains Supervalu, Safeway and Kroger have been in contract negotiations for eight months regarding wages and benefits. The parties recently agreed to schedule negotiations with a federal mediator in a final effort to reach a settlement. Meanwhile, about 90 percent of union workers already have voted to give their negotiators the power to call a strike, if necessary. That has local market owners and small chain farmers markets strategizing. Sprouts Farmers Market, for example, says it is accepting applications and keeping close communication with suppliers should there be a strike. “Our direction from corporate has been ‘Keep your eyes open for good workers and be prepared,” said Erick Ramirez, store manager for Sprouts Farmers Market in Thousand Oaks. He said at least a dozen employees from local supermarkets have approached him for a job application. “People just want to work right now,” Ramirez said. “They want to make money while they can.” A strike can prompt customers to change their shopping patterns and turn to the smaller grocers and farmers markets in the area. In 2003, the UFCW strike for improved health benefits and wages involved 70,000 members and had a significant impact on business at area supermarkets. It also created a frenzy of sorts for local markets that were unprepared for the boom in activity. Mike McQuaid, owner of Jim’s Fallbrook Market in Woodland Hills, recalls it was “the busiest, most exhausting 141 days we’ve ever had.” The market, which has been a part of the community since 1946, had an increase of 25 percent in a matter of months, McQuaid said. This time around, McQuaid said he is more aware of the status of the labor dispute and is “keeping his radar up” in the event business shifts and he needs to ramp up orders. He said he also keeps part-time staff members on staff just in case. “I have part-timers who are ready and willing to put in more hours in the event of a strike,” McQuaid said. Craig Underwood, owner of Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark, said he saw a 30 percent increase in customers during the 2003 strike. Underwood’s business functions as a farmer’s market as well as a farm, where customers have the option to pick their own fruits and vegetable straight from the field. Underwood said during the 2003 strike he was able to accommodate the rush of new customers because of the farm, and he doesn’t anticipate any change should there be another strike. Local markets aren’t the ones getting prepared. The supermarkets also are making plans in the event their workers strike. Daymond Rice, director of public affairs and government relations at Vons, said the supermarket chain has posted signs in their stores stating they are currently accepting applications. “We are recruiting workers as a defense measure in response to the union’s threat of a strike,” Rice said. Mike Shimpock, spokesperson for the UFCW Local 770, said the market’s contract with the union workers expired in March, but has been continuously extended during the process of negotiations. Should either party decide to cancel the contract, they must give 72 hours notice. The union has the power to strike at the conclusion of the three-day notice, he said. Shimpock said a recent poll conducted by union showed that 75 percent of consumers said they would not cross the picket line in the event of a strike. Kathie Yonemura, school teacher and West Hills resident said she divides her grocery time between her local Trader Joes and Ralph’s stores. “I find most of what I need at Trader Joes,” Yonemura said. “I’d say I go to Ralphs maybe once a week or so.” Should a strike occur, she said her weekly trips to the major supermarket will change and she will consider shopping at alternative stores such as Target and Walmart. Working for the Los Angeles Unified School District, Yonemura said she is familiar with the way unions work and sympathizes with the workers involved. “I won’t be crossing the picket line,” Yonemura said.

Featured Articles

Related Articles