Seattle Press on Line - 25,000 Grocery Workers Could be on Strike in May

25,000 Grocery Workers Could be on Strike in May

By Tom Herriman

Nervous laughter strikes Mary Anne Schroeder, Ingrid Johnson and Noreen Nygren as they talk about plans for picket lines at the Greenwood Safeway next month.

Apr 04, 2001 -- Twenty-five thousand supermarket workers in Seattle and other communities around Puget Sound could be on strike less than a month from now, several Safeway, Thriftway and QFC employees told The Seattle Press last week.

"There's a better than 50-50 chance of a strike," explained Brad Johnson, a grocery clerk at the Ballard QFC on 24th Avenue NW. "I'm telling people they should be ready. Save your money ... start thinking about temporary jobs you can get if it's a long strike. My child support doesn't stop if I go out on strike."

Negotiations have taken an "ugly turn," according a newsletter sent to workers by the union. Members of several locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union are affected by the contract talks. The employers, including Safeway, Albertsons, Fred Meyer, Thriftway and several other chains, are seeking to shift a substantial part of the cost of company-paid health insurance back to the workers. They are also seeking to eliminate premium pay for Sunday and nighttime work, and to reduce employer payments to pension funds.

"Its all take away," said Johnson.

"There would be less money in take-home pay," he said. "They want us to pay part of the health insurance premiums, and cut the pension contribution by 50 to 60 cents an hour."

Shifting Health and Pension Costs to Workers

"People are scared," according to Ingrid Johnson, a deli clerk who has worked at the Greenwood Safeway for 10 years. "Nobody wants to go on strike, but we're willing to go out if it's necessary to protect what we've got."

"We're struggling now as it is," said Noreen Nygren, Variety Manager at Greenwood Safeway. Nygren has two children and has worked at Safeway for six years.

Mary Anne Schroeder, a meat wrapper at the Greenwood Safeway, said a majority of workers would support a strike. "We'd have a really strong picket line. We know we have to keep our time and a half. We're here working on holidays while everybody else is having fun with their families."

Grocery wages have lagged behind other industries in recent years, but health and pension benefits are among the best in the nation, according to chief UFCW spokesman Ron Hayes.

We haven't had a decent raise in years," says Conrad Tjemsland, a journeyman meat cutter at Thriftway's Central Market in Shoreline.

Starting wages for grocery workers is $7.08 per hour, with a $15.50 top rate. Courtesy clerks earn minimum wage. There is a time and a half premium for Sunday work, a 20 cents per hour premium for work after 6 p.m. and 50 cents per hour after 9 p.m.

Schroeder also said the companies are demanding that courtesy clerks (baggers and carry out clerks) be excluded from the union, and that a new, stripped-down health plan be created for new hires.

"We have really good health insurance that we've negotiated over the years," Schroeder said. "Now the companies want to weaken that protection for our families, and create a two-tier system in the workforce where one group of employees has better benefits than new workers coming in."

Conrad Tjemsland, a journeyman meat cutter at Thriftway's Central Market in Shoreline, says "We haven't had a decent raise in years. It's usually about 40 cents per hour, but to keep up with inflation, we need $1 an hour."

Lena Cabais, who has been a checker at Ballard QFC for fourteen years, said she is getting ready for a strike. "I've been putting more money in my savings account and I paid off all my credit cards. If there's a long strike, I'll have to look for another job. I might go up to Alaska and go set net fishing for salmon with some of my relatives."

50 Percent Dues Hike Voted

UFCW spokesman Hayes said the union has asked for a 75 cents per hour wage increase. "But the companies are saying workers will have to pay their own wage increase," he added, "by taking money out of the pension or health insurance. That's unacceptable to our members who have taken a very aggressive stance," Hayes said. Local members voted overwhelmingly to increase monthly dues 50 percent for the last three months to beef up the strike fund.

"The industry is very profitable right now," Hayes said "They're expanding throughout the area, remodeling, building new stores and acquiring other chains. They can afford to pay their workers fairly.

"We want a peaceful settlement, but right now it's a toss-up."

Reader Comments

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Nick	Apr 22, 2003	Kalamazoo MI	student
I think that they should get paid more money becasue they are out there busting their butt everyday for the good of America


Matthew	Oct 26, 2003	Buffalo NY	Meat Cutter
I agree...where i work at Tops Markets, they offer little raises, and work around the contract often. More money indeed!


Kelly	Feb 05, 2004	Newbury Park CA	Sr. Supervisor
All I can say is be prepared for a long strike. I'm currently in the 4 month old strike, we don't know when it will end there are alot of rumors out on the picket lines and comming from our management. Swy will have thier managers come out and count you everyday they will leek information to you that is un-true. They will talk to you about comming back to work if you wnat to by signing a financial Core doument this will allow you to work with the scabs but you will no longer have no union represation. You must remember that this is not in your best interest company is the only one benifiting from this and without you union represation they a fire you very easyy. They will promise you promotions they will try and divide you with your fellow employees. This is a nasty time down here and I don't see it getting any better. Just remember do not sacrfice your principles, diginty and your morals. Stand tall and proud for want we deserve as employees.


Anonymous	Mar 30, 2004	Seattle	retail
Don't want what happened in california to happen here in WA. It's uneasy times, where employers are profitable and taking advantage of the overall 'feeling' of a bad economy. visit www.qfc-sucks.com


Steve Ballard	Apr 01, 2004	Seattle WA	Management
Stand up for your rights Grocery Clerks and get that picket sign ready for the month of May/2004. A few months of striking in the NW won't hurt anything but better all Grocery Clerks concepts of their future for their families.


Anonymous	May 20, 2004	Seattle	retail
Why must we suffer at the hands of people that make 2-6x what we make?


Joseph	May 25, 2004	Seattle	none
If the courtesy clerks go on strike then that's a great opportunity for me to apply for a job. I know that I will lose my job when the strike ends but, at least I'll end my strike of having no money.

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