Unions ask San Diegans to boycott Vons, Albertsons and Ralphs

[bananas]

Source: KGTV ABC 10

A strike by local grocery workers could be on the horizon, but for now, those workers don't want you stepping foot in their San Diego-area stores.

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A UFCW Local 135 spokeswoman said 14,000 union members could go on strike in roughly two weeks. They haven't had a contract with Vons, Albertsons and Ralphs since March.

"We're talking 160 days without a contract," said Ledford. "We are asking for you to boycott so that they understand the impact that you're lack of patroness can do if we don't get a fair and equitable contract."

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Union spokeswoman Lori Kern said the grocery chains are only offering a 10-cent raise next year and want to increase healthcare costs.

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Ledford said they want their loyal customers to shop at other union chains like Gelsons, Kiels, Smart and Final, and Food 4 Less.

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Read more: http://www.10news.com/news/unions-ask-san-diegans-to-boycott-vons-albertsons-and-ralphs-072616

[Tal Vez]

1. Gelson's is a great store - my favorite.

[bananas]

2. News video has more - posted to the video forum

Some more interviews, also mentions the 2003 strike.
Worth watching.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017394024

[wolfie001]

3. Best of luck to these workers!!!

The 2003 strike was long and brutal. I hope they get a good deal!

[Omaha Steve]

4. Thanks for posting

[Blue Dalek]

5. The article says for shoppers to go to Food 4 Less

F4L is owned by Ralphs which are both owned by Kroger.

[haele]

6. Food 4 Less is a Ralph's outlet store subsidiary targeting low-income areas.

While Food 4 Less does have slightly different management, and they might have a better union relationship as they can cut costs with their facilities and produce supplies (they build to warehouse specs and receive Ralphs "seconds" and close to expiration product) instead of on the backs of their labor, they're still a Ralphs owned outlet.

Smart and Final was a "box/wholesale" supplier connected to the old Safeway chain, which were bought out by Albertsons in San Diego County. When they first came to San Diego in the early 1990's, S&F carried Safeway generic brands.

I haven't heard of Gelsons or Kiels, but then, I live in the 'hood. They sound like Whole Foods type stores that wouldn't be found within 10 miles of Euclid and Imperial...

Haele

[bananas]

7. Kiels is a regular supermarket, don't know about Gelsons. nt