Pavilions Seeks Replacement Workers

Pavilions market on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks has a sign on its front window advertising for replacement workers in the event of a strike by members of the grocery workers union.

"Right now we're taking applications from people who would be willing to replace workers if there is a strike," said Jose Garcia, manager of the store at 14845 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks.

Working at one of the cash registers Sunday, Garcia would not discuss the pay or terms of employment that replacement workers would be offered. At this point, nobody has actually been hired, they are just taking applications in case there is a strike, Garcia said.

Last week, more than 90 percent of the 62,000 United Food and Commecial Workers union members in Southern California voted to approve a strike. The voters rejected a health care benefits proposal from the three supermarket chains: Vons, Ralphs and Albertsons.

The vote authorized the union to call a strike. The contract between the groceries and the union expired nearly six months ago.

"We don't want a strike," said Carole Hamman, who works at the deli counter at Ralphs Market on Balboa Boulevard.

"But the health care issue is so important. My husband takes five different heart medications every day. Under the plan they are offering I'd be spending more than 50 percent of my salary on medicine," said Hamman over the telephone.

"People who work at Ralphs are in this for the long haul. Health care is more important than a pay increase," she said.

The negotiations were scheduled to resume Monday.

Eight years ago, there was a strike that lasted four months after the union and the markets could not reach an agreement over a new contract.

"Some people lost their houses when that happened," Hamman said.

A tentative agreement has been reached on the pension portion of the contract.

Ralphs Grocery has issued a statement saying it was committed to staying at the negotiations table until an agreement was reached.