4500 unionized Fred Meyer workers are one step closer to striking

4,500 unionized grocery workers at Fred Meyer stores all over the Portland area may strike.

“Our membership took an unfair labor practice strike vote authorization because it’s necessary to be able to give our leadership the ability to call strike if one is needed,” said Miles Eshaia, a spokesperson with UFCW555, representing the Fred Meyer workers.

“We also have a long standing, well-understood grievance process, and Fred Meyer is not processing grievances and is not giving us information we requested, which makes it difficult to negotiate in good faith,” said Eshaia.

The company hasn’t increased wages since 2021 after a one-day strike, Eshaia tells KATU News.

Should the union decide to strike, workers will still be able to make ends meet.

“We do have a strike fund. We were voted in by the membership years ago. And so that is something that is there if the board chooses to utilize it,” said Eshaia.

We reached out to Fred Meyer about a potential strike, and they sent us a statement reading:
"The union’s move to seek a strike vote authorization is premature, given our strong track record of investing in wages. Our priority is to maintain a healthy business that allows us to increase associates’ wages, while keeping our doors open to serve customers with affordable food and essentials. We urge the union to return to the scheduled negotiations on Monday and collaborate with us in good faith to secure the best possible outcome and stability for their members, our valued associates, without causing unnecessary disruption."

https://katu.com/news/local/4500-unionized-fred-meyer-workers-are-one-step-closer-to-striking-oregon-portland-grocery-ufcw555-union-miles-eshaia
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Author: KATU News
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News post in at: August 20, 2024, 3:03 am.

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