Stop and Shop Union Authorizes Strike

By ADAM SWIFT (Patch Staff)

FRAMINGHAM, MA - Stop and Shop workers represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union voted to authorize a strike on Sunday if a new contract cannot be negotiated with the supermarket chain.

The union represents about 10,000 Stop and Shop workers in Massachusetts, and on Sunday, 2,000 of those union members participated in a vote calling for the strike,according to WCVB News.

Union members will continue to work for the time being as talks continue on a new contract to replace the one that expired this weekend.

The five locals with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 919 represents about 35,000 Stop and Shop Employees throughout New England and New York.

At issue in the negotiations for the union are concerns about healthcare premiums and increased wages.

There have been advertisements on Craigslist for hiring temporary Stop & Shop employees for $16 an hour in Connecticut and Massachusetts, according to NBC Connecticut.

Koninkliije Ahold is the parent company of the supermarket chain.

There are two Stop and Shop supermarkets in Framingham - Temple Street and Old Conn Path.