Grocery Contract Talks Break Down

It has been a relatively quiet few weeks while the grocery workers and the big three chains tried to negotiate a deal. That ended today when the workers walked away from the table following an wholely unacceptable proposal from the employers. They had made demands that would have lead to further erosion of health benefits and wages for employees.

Mike Shimprock, spokesman for the Souther California Grocery Workers Union:

The markets are asking employees to pay more for benefits while the corporations pay less,. The employers are demanding their employees sacrifice even further only to increase the markets already record profits. If they want to further punish our members, we have nothing left to talk about.

It is unacceptable that these three companies, that are giving raises and bonuses in the millions to their CEOs and upper management, would seek to take away even more from their employees -- which haven't had a raise since 2002.

We will not stand by as the employers try to deny health care and fair wages to even more of their employees just to boost their already outrageous CEO salaries and profits. It is unfair, unacceptable and an insult to their employees, customers and the communities in which the stores operate.

When I get more information, I will be sure to update. It is extremely disappointing that these big companies refuse to agree to the same deal that the smaller chains are currently operating under, to great satisfaction by both sides.