On Friday, April 12, workers throughout the Greater Boston area joined picket lines as part of an ongoing contract dispute with Stop & Shop. The Everett/Chelsea location saw significant participation from striking employees.
At the local store, most workers positioned themselves near the entrance with strike signs, asking customers to shop elsewhere during the labor action.
The strike involved approximately 31,000 unionized grocery employees, with many of the Everett/Chelsea store’s workers being residents of those two communities.
Long time Stop & Shop employee Mike Bruce strikes outside of his workplace in Everett.
Workers’ primary demands center on fair compensation, accessible and affordable health insurance, and a dependable retirement plan.
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union indicated on Tuesday afternoon that negotiations with the company were ongoing, with a possible update expected by week’s end.
The dispute originated earlier in the year as the union contract neared its February expiration. The Union threatened strike action, and when the contract expired on Feb. 23, the Union authorized a strike. UFCW 1445 represents the union local at the Everett store.
“Stop & Shop has known for the past
three years that our contract was set to expire on February 23,” read a statement from union presidents in February. “But because of their
continued corporate greed throughout these negotiations, Stop & Shop
employees and customers now find themselves in a position where job actions may
take place.”
Federal mediation efforts occurred between the strike authorization and the current date, but negotiations deteriorated recently, leading to the strike action.
Over the weekend, local officials visited the picket lines.
State Sen. Sal DiDomenico called on Stop & Shop and its parent company Royal Ahold to show workers dignity and respect.
“Once again, we have another corporate giant who refuses to treat it’s employees with dignity and respect,” DiDomenico said. “I have been a frequent shopper at Stop & Shop and I will
no longer step foot in any of their stores until they come to a resolution with
the union workers and provide them a fair contract. I am proud to support
Stop & Shop workers in their fight for fair wages, affordable health care,
and a dependable retirement, and I will continue to stand with them in this fight
and urge everyone to respect their picket line.”
Stop & Shop stated that contract negotiations with UFCW union locals continue with federal mediator support.
According to company officials, they have offered a generous contract proposal to the UFCW union.
Regarding health care, the company indicated it will cover 92 percent of family health premiums and 88 percent of individual premiums. The company contends this exceeds other major retailers, noting that the federal government pays 72 percent and other employers average between 70 and 80 percent. The offer maintains current deductibles with only modest co-pay increases.
The company also said it is offering a defined benefit pension plan providing between $1,926 and $2,644 annually per associate, with increased pension fund contributions in the new contract.
Additionally, the company noted that paid time off remains unchanged at 10 to 12 paid holidays annually.