Thousands of Stop and Shop union workers go on strike, walk off job

[Omaha Steve]

Source: WCVB

BOSTON --
Thousands of Stop & Shop union workers walked off the job and are on strike Thursday amid an ongoing contract dispute.

WCVB crews at stores report the doors were locked. Several viewers tell WCVB they were "kicked out" or told to check out immediately.

Five locals of the United Food & Commercial Workers Union representing 31,000 Stop & Shop workers in New England have been negotiating a new contract with Stop & Shop representatives since Feb. 14, the UFCW said.

The workers' last contract with the company expired on Feb. 23. Workers have rallied against the company as its proposed cuts to workers' take home pay and benefits will significantly hamper their ability to be fairly compensated, Wicked Local reported.

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Read more: https://www.wcvb.com/article/stop-and-shop-workers-go-on-strike-walk-off-job/27115921

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Sign the petition here: http://www.ufcw.org/supportstopandshopworkers/?

31,000 workers at Stop & Shop supermarkets across Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island have gone on strike.

Management at Stop & Shop presented its "final offer" to workers, which included significant cuts to health care, massive increases (more than 100% in some cases) to workers' health care premiums and replacing wage increases with so-called bonuses. This represents a massive step backward, with many workers facing reduced weekly earnings if they agree to this final offer.

On top of this, Stop & Shop's parent company reported more than $2 billion in profits last year. This is not the time to ask for concessions. Rather, this is a time to invest in the workers who have made Stop & Shop so successful and profitable. They deserve and have earned a better life.

The workers, who are members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union, need your help to win a fair contract. Here is how you can help:

Sign the petition to Stop & Shop management to let them know you stand with UFCW members as they fight for a fair contract.

Continue to shop union. UFCW members work at a number of other supermarkets across the region. If you can't shop at a union store, please shop elsewhere, but do not cross the picket line at Stop & Shop.

Thank you for your support as these 31,000 workers go out on strike for fair wages, decent benefits and a secure retirement. I will continue to update you as the strike progresses.

In Solidarity,

Rich
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Richard Trumka
President, AFL-CIO

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. Screw Stop & Shop

The biggest grocery price gougers on the planet.

[Sherman A1]

2. Union!

Hope they stay strong!

[Miigwech]

3. Would not want to be checking out when they walked out

but I support them 100% ...

[friendly_iconoclast]

4. Go UFCW! I'll be getting my groceries elsewhere...

[Croney]

5. They've opened the stores with temps and corporate workers.

My Boston news shows people coming out and loading their bags into their car. I'd be pretty ashamed to do that.

[Submariner]

6. Shop at Market Basket next to most Stop & Shops

Run by a local family grocer and much more affordable with good quality groceries.

[wolfie001]

7. Best wishes to our Union brothers and sisters!

Stay Strong and United!

[NewEnglandAutumn]

8. Not many union jobs left

I was shocked to see the picket today. Hope the workers win.

I like Dave's anyway

[DFW]

9. I hope this gets settled before the summer

On the tip of Cape Cod, the Stop & Shop is the ONLY source of halfway affordable groceries. All the small stores on the Outer Cape charge outrageous prices because they need to make 80% of their sales during the summer tourist season. Stop & Shop usually has locally grown/caught food, and doesn't charge $3.75 for a tomato, which we have been asked to pay at some of the local shops (we passed).

The cost of living is horrendous out there, so the people who work there deserve a living wage. I hope they manage to negotiate it, because the Outer Cape needs both the people and the store.

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. S&S has had a total lock on that area for years.

They have squashed the competition for too long.

They are sitting on vacant land in Eastham solely to keep competitors away.

I avoid that miserable outfit whenever possible.

[Drahthaardogs]

13. Are you a Democrat?

Because you do not sound like one. We SUPPORT union workers.

[TheCowsCameHome]

14. Why yes, I am, as a matter of fact.

I have no use for corporate Stop and Shop. I have been a union member continuously since 1960.

Top that.

[Drahthaardogs]

15. I'm a union member too, but I SUPPORT my union brothers and sisters

When they go on strike. I don't go on a website and cry about lack of fair competition.

My union roots go to the Ludlow Massacre, where corporate thugs tried to kill my great grandfather. My mom and dad were union too.

I think you've been topped. Support them

[stillcool]

10. bummer..

they have a good sale on chicken breast this week. Oh well,...didn't really want it anyway. I hope they hang tight and persevere.

[flyingfysh]

12. The Somerville store is the one I shop at

There is a Market Basket nearby, but the parking lot is very unpleasant. It is often hard to find a space, and they are very small.

I guess I'll just have to go to Wegman's. There is one of those not too far away.