Business & Tech
Portland Area Supermarket Strike Possible, Workers Authorize Step
The union representing workers at Fred Meyer and QFC voted to authorize a strike if talks don't get back on track.
PORTLAND, OR — It's probably safe to say that no one wants a supermarket strike right at the start of the holiday season. Despite that, a strike at Fred Meyer and QFC stores in the tricounty reason is now a real possibility.
Over the weekend, members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 voted to authorize the union to call a strike if talks between workers and the stores – both owned by Kroger – improve.
The union says that the vote was "overwhelmingly" in favor of the vote.
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Local president Dan Clay said that the companies have "repeatedly violated their legal duties to negotiate in good faith" leaving "grocery workers no choice but to take action."
Negotiations started in July 2021.
Find out what's happening in Portlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Fred Meyer said in a statement that "It's business as usual... A strike authorization doesn't mean a strike. Our current offer shows our commitment to the whole person, providing wage increases, high-quality, affordable health care, and a pension benefit for retirement.
"The most productive thing the union can do is to work with the company in a manner that positively addresses these items. Our focus remains on our associates and getting an agreement at the bargaining table."
The union says that wages are a major issue.
"The pandemic has highlighted both the importance of grocery workers to our communities as well as the struggles they endure to make ends meet," Local Secretary-Treasurer Sandy Humphrey added. "Essential Employees deserve the same care and respect now that they have shown our neighbors over the last two years.
"These employers refuse to acknowledge that their worker's wages are not keeping up with the cost of living, leaving them and their families at risk while providing food for our community."
The union, which represents around 29,000 workers in Oregon and SW Washington, says that negotiations will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week.
Officials say that if no agreement is reached, they are prepared to strike the following day.
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