Monday, we returned to the bargaining table, prepared to negotiate as long as it took to get the wages, hours, and benefits we need to feed our families and improve our lives. We bargained late into the night and came back first thing in the morning to fight for the contract we need.
But after over twenty-six hours of bargaining over the past two days, the company has continually refused to make any meaningful progress.
We have been serious about getting an equitable deal since the very beginning, and we have given them more than a fair chance to deliver us the contract we deserve today. And Food 4 Less / Foods Co. has been playing games and breaking federal law to try and weaken our power at the bargaining table.
Our customers are behind us because they know we keep our communities fed. Our community is behind us because they’re tired of the company treating us, and them, worse than they treat the other union grocery workers and customers in California.
What we’re fighting for:
- Meaningful raises, faster. The company’s latest proposal for our top-rate coworkers affects only half of our members, and fails to reward our hard work or make up for the decades of inequality we have experienced. We deserve higher raises that don’t take years to earn.
- More guaranteed hours for part-time workers. We can’t pay our bills or put food on the table if we don’t know how many hours we’ll have to work each week.
- NO non-union workers doing work that should be ours. The company wants to put language in our contract that would open the door to others taking away jobs and hours from hard-working union members like us.
What’s next?
The company thinks we won’t fight for a fair contract. Now is the time to show them they’re wrong. We’re serious about getting a deal, so we’ve agreed to come back to the bargaining table on Monday, June 24th. In the meantime, we must stand strong together.
We won’t accept a bad deal and we won’t accept unfair treatment. Just last week, we overwhelmingly authorized a strike in response to the company’s illegal behavior in our stores and at the bargaining table, and we are starting to prepare to take action should the company force us to.
While a strike is always a last resort, we must be ready. We are holding picket captain meetings and strike preparedness events across our seven Locals so that if we are forced to take action we are prepared. In the coming days, there will be plenty of opportunities to attend meetings, talk to your union reps, show our collective strength, and have your questions answered.
We deserve a fair contract, and we’re ready to fight for our future.
In Solidarity,
Your UFCW Bargaining Committee
