SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Union leaders representing 1000’s of Safeway staff in Northern California are negotiating with the corporate for increased wages and higher advantages.
These leaders have set a Friday night time deadline. If a deal is just not reached, they are saying workers will strike.
“When is the earliest we may see a strike, if we had been to see a strike?” requested ABC 7 Information reporter J.R. Stone.
“12:01, 12:01 a.m. on Saturday morning we shall be on the shops, you already know, which can be open at the moment, after which early within the morning the subsequent day strains shall be up if a deal is just not reached,” stated Jim Araby who represents UFCW Union Native 5. It is of three unions who signify 25,000 staff.
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“We’re negotiating as we communicate proper now. Our chief negotiators from the three native unions together with members of the Safeway bargaining committee are negotiating at our belief fund workplace in Harmony as we communicate,” stated Araby.
Safeway is owned by Albertsons who issued a press release Wednesday to us partially saying, “We’re hopeful a decision shall be reached quickly, as we have now in different components of the nation by profitable collaboration with our union companions to safe agreements that acknowledge and reward our devoted associates whereas supporting the corporate’s ongoing development.”
A federal mediator is concerned in negotiations however even on the Safeway retailer in Burlingame you possibly can see the corporate is making ready for a potential strike. A flier within the window affords greater than $27 an hour for non permanent work.
Araby says the objective is reaching a deal. It is unclear what number of shops may very well be affected if that does not occur, but it surely may impression all of Northern California.
“You realize, anybody that works at Safeway’s. As far south as Bakersfield, as much as the Oregon border, and every thing in between. These staff have been working with out a contract for the previous couple of months. Will probably be vital sufficient to impression Safeway to maneuver them on the desk,” says Araby.
That stated, either side inform us they’re looking forward to a decision earlier than the union deadline of Friday at midnight.
Right here is the total assertion issued by Albertsons:
We stay dedicated to productive, good-faith negotiations with the UFCW locals in Northern California. We’ve got scheduled bargaining periods this week and proceed to work with a federal mediator. Whereas we’re dissatisfied that the Unions have indicated the opportunity of a strike at a few of our shops, we absolutely respect our associates’ proper to have interaction in collective bargaining.
We’re working diligently to steadiness the wants of our associates and clients, preserve our place as a trusted alternative available in the market by delivering constant worth, and make sure the long-term sustainability of our enterprise in a extremely aggressive grocery trade. We’re hopeful a decision shall be reached quickly, as we have now in different components of the nation by profitable collaboration with our union companions to safe agreements that acknowledge and reward our devoted associates whereas supporting the corporate’s ongoing development.
All through this course of, our focus stays on offering distinctive service to our clients and fostering a optimistic, supportive work setting for our associates throughout the communities we serve.
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