Stater Bros. workers OK strike as contract talks set to resume

UFCW Local is one of the biggest labor unions in San Diego County File photo by Ken Stone Times of San Diego Negotiations are scheduled to resume on Wednesday between the union representing approximately Stater Bros workers and the Southern California-based grocery store chain following an overwhelming membership vote in favor of authorizing their bargaining unit to call an unfair labor practice strike This vote sends a strong message to Stater Bros We ve had enough of their union-busting tactics that undermine workers and silence our voices the United Food and Commercial Workers UFCW Stater Bros Bargaining Committee announced in a report issued Friday And if they thought Stater Bros members could be scared away from standing up for our rights they uncovered out tonight that they are very very wrong Union leaders say this is the first time a strike authorization vote of this kind has been held during negotiations with Stater Bros We ve never had to take an unfair labor practice strike vote at Stater Bros but the company has changed the committee continued Since March we ve pushed Stater Bros for real solutions to short staffing unsafe conditions and unfair wages but all we ve seen is disrespect of our rights as reflected in these ULP charges A detailed vote count was not issued The UFCW locals representing the grocery chain s employees have filed multiple unfair labor practice ULP charges against Stater Bros alleging Unlawful surveillance of union members developing in the contract campaign Discrimination based on union encouragement Unlawful interrogation of employees Direct dealing with members about bargaining proposals bypassing union representatives and Failure to provide requested information critical to contract negotiations The union is demanding improvements in several key areas including living wages affordable robustness care benefits a reliable pension more staffing and better working conditions for a better customer experience Despite the strike authorization union officers emphasized that the vote does not automatically mean a strike will occur There was no immediate comment from Stater Bros A request for response sent via email on Friday night after the close of regular business hours had not been answered as of publication City News Function