Puget Sound grocery workers approve contract, avoid strike
Oct 31, 2013, 12:17 PM | Updated: 8:49 pm
Details about the contract were not immediately released, but the union had said key issues included wages, holiday pay and proposed cuts to health care benefits. (AP Photo/File)
(AP Photo/File)
Washington grocery workers have voted to approve a contract deal and avoid a strike.
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21 spokesman Tom Geiger said Thursday that the agreement protects workers’ health benefits, secures pensions and provides some wage increases.
Allied Employers negotiated on behalf of Albertsons, QFC, Fred Meyer and Safeway. Vice President Scott Powers says the employers “are pleased to continue to provide good wages, secure pensions and access to quality, affordable health care for our employees.”
Geiger says a strike at grocery stores operated by those four chains in King, Snohomish, Pierce, Thurston, Mason and Kitsap counties would have affected about 21,000 workers.
Union leaders and grocery management first reached a tentative agreement over the contract last week.
The two sides were in talks for over six months.
Both unions and stores prepared for a strike. Unions drew up strike schedules and strike captains ready to lead the charge. Stores began hiring replacement workers and making other preparations.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
