UPDATE: According to sources at Smith's and Safeway stores, an agreement has been reached and there will be no strike today.
KINGMAN - If you head over to Smith's or to one of Kingman's two Safeway stores tonight, don't be surprised to see a picket line in front of the building.
That's because 6 p.m. marks the deadline for management to reach a contract agreement with United Food & Commercial Local 99, the union representing workers of both grocery chains in Arizona.
According to Associated Press reports, the chains' existing contract expired Oct. 31, with workers and management unable to come to an agreement on a new contract. While the union has been seeking higher wages and greater benefits for its members, its main obstacle to reaching an agreement has been the issue of healthcare - namely, management wants workers to pay a greater share of the cost, which union leader Jim McLaughlin has called unacceptable.
"We've been clear to the employers as to what an acceptable offer is," McLaughlin told the Arizona Republic last Friday. "They know what it is, but they have refused to cooperate."
Signs placed on the doors at Smith's and Safeway stores throughout the state have advertised their possible need for temporary non-union help if their employees do, in fact, walk off the job tonight. The Miner attempted to contact local store managers for comment on their preparations, but was either referred to corporate communications representatives or simply left on hold.
Safeway spokeswoman Cathy Kloos also did not return phone calls by press time Thursday, but she did send out a news release stating that both Safeway and Fry's Food Stores, which is also under threat of a strike, have entered into a mutual aid pact to protect against "whipsaw" strike tactics. A whipsaw strike occurs when union employees of a multi-employer bargaining group (in this case, several separate supermarket chains) strike only against certain employers within the group, sometimes switching from one employer to another.
In other words, if workers choose to strike against Fry's but not Safeway or vice-versa, the unaffected chain would come to the other's aid to ensure customers still receive service. What that aid might be, however, was unclear. Kloos's release merely said the pact would provide for "certain defensive measures."
Kloos added that the agreement does not impact either grocery chain's ability to independently negotiate with the union.
"Safeway entered into this agreement as a defensive measure to protect our company in the event of a strike by Local 99," Kloos said. "Safeway remains committed to negotiating fair and competitive labor agreements that serve the mutual interests of our employees and our company".
Neither of Kingman's two other chain grocery stores, Wal-Mart and Bashas', will be affected by the pending strike.
Reader Comments
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
proud to be a democrat
Telling me that I am unamerican for not agreeing with you is what is unamerican. Or don't I have the right to my own opinion? I thought this was a free country....
Posted: Sunday, November 15, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
RE: At the School Teacher. Both my parents, are retired school teachers. One a democrat, one a republican. They both made a choice, to NOT belong, to the Teacher's unions. Despite their different political preferences, they were able to agree, UNIONS ARE UNAMERICAN, and did NOTHING to make better teachers.
Posted: Sunday, November 15, 2009
Article comment by:
Al G
@DaveG
1st, my name: I posted as "AlG", certainly not as "AIG", a disreputable, but 'too large to fail' insurance company! Unfortunately, the font used here does not make a distinction between a small letter "l" and the capital letter "I"! For everyone's information my name is Allan Stuart Gleason, Sr. However, for years I have initialed, "AlG". I also go by Al but there are so many Al's I add the G just as you do, DaveG.
2nd, yes, I do relate to Obama, politically. However, I'm only related to Obama if he is somehow a 10th generation descendant from an English Massachusetts Puritan named, Thomas, who waded ashore with his English family about 1650. Our family helped establish this nation and has defended it throughout its history right up until now!
Now, as to my ego: I certainly can't deny that I have an ego. It is my ego, taught me by my mother, which drove me to suceed in life and raise a family. It was my ego which drove me to learn as much as I could about everything and anything and to be a contributing member of society. After all, an ego is really that which induces one to be proud of oneself for his or her accomplishments in this world. Without an ego, which is currently referred to as "self-esteem", people end up at the bottom of the totem pole and on public dole, which is a sad situation.
3rd, If it takes billions of dollars to help our fellow humans about the earth, perhaps we shall reap the benefits of their love rather than their hate. I'm sure there is a Biblical passage which agrees with this....?
However, you tell me why the rest of this prosperous nation should send any money to help Arizona when Arizona is politically one of the greediest and biggest losers in the nation? In fact, why should Arizona accept any help since it professes total free enterprise/free trade and small government -- isn't that being a bit hypocritical?
Posted: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Article comment by:
DaveG
Yeah..Yeah..Yeah..Isn't it interesting that talk about the greatness of unions has reared it's ugly head again! Could it be because the unions are the biggest contributors to the radical left Demoncratic Obama administration? Well, Demoncrats..don't get too high on that horse, because us thinking people are going to trip up your ride in 2010!
We've all seen how well unions did for the auto industry! Over 100 thousand auto workers out of work, due mostly to the ridiculously high wages and benefits! Thank you unions!
@AIG, (interesting name)
You related to Obama? You both have extremely large EGOs! I suppose you've heard that there's a good chance that America will be required, soon, to send Billions of dollars to many "third world" countries? Maybe Arizona will get some, maybe??
Posted: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
@I support the workers
Unhfortunatly, unions are also used to protect employees who would have been fired for being worthless a long time ago. I have seen more than a few of them. Oddly enough, they are usually the biggest union supporters. I am betting you are or would be at least a shop steward. LoL. You know? Just bright enough to take orders and be used as the "muscle", but not bright enough to become a high union official, ripping off members for the real money.
You think union members are educated and not easily led/ I notice yu made sure to single out the "rich" first however. You can always count on a union supporter to demonize that which they are to incapable of attaining through brains and talent.
Posted: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Article comment by:
proud to be a democrat
I have two college degrees, a BS and a Masters degree.
My base salary is less than 35K per year and in order to earn more I have to put in 60 and sometimes 70 hour weeks.
I get reasonably cheap health insurance for myself, but in order to put my husband and children on my insurance I have to pay $750 dollars per month, which is nearly half of my take-home pay.
I am a union member, but we have chosen not to demand pay raises, and I haven't had a pay raise in 5 years, because I would rather see my customers get the little bit of money that is available than see them go without.
This year I have spent $3000 on graduate classes and other fees that I am required to pay to be recertified to continue in the job I have for another 5 years.
I am a union member but I don't really have the choice of striking, because it would cause more harm than good. And I went into my field to do good and feel good about what I do.
Have you guessed what I do for a living? That's right, I am a public school teacher.
I support unions and thier effort to improve the lives of workers in this country. Even if every student went on to college, there just aren't that many good jobs in Kingman. Everyone deserves to live a decent life, and I don't believe that anyone deserves to live a life of ostentatious luxury and decadence built from the sweat of everyday laborerers and clerks.
Most of those people who work at Safeway and Smiths are not full-time workers and couldn't surivie on thier own on the money they make as it is. I think it is a small demand to have the company pay most of their health insurance costs so that they don't have to take what is actually a huge pay cut to have access to a doctor or basic dental care.
Anyone who believes anti-union propaganda is just allowing themselves to be used as a tool for the billionaire's club that has taken over the republican party!
Posted: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Unions are hurting American Businesses.
Posted: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Article comment by:
AlG
Having read the posts concerning union and management below, I find that most of you appear to be anti-union - yet I sense somehow that most of you also are not "management material". That doesn't surprise me because one of the reasons I retired and moved to Kingman is because it's a cheap place to live (the other reason is good medical facilities).
I consider Arizona a '3rd world' state which, much like Mexico, is controlled by patro'ns and whose workers are 'happy' to be peasants.
That, of course, works to my personal economic benefit, but I sympathize with those grocery clerks who maintain our stores and provide us with good food at reasonable prices and try to make a living for themselves and their families. I was surprised that a couple of posters chose Wal-Mart which is militantly non-union for their grocery shopping especially since, believe me, unionized Smiths is cheaper! But then, some people are not good shoppers!
I lived, worked and retired in a more 'liberal' state where unions were welcome. The company I worked for had several unions to contend with and we had our occasional strikes but generally the company and the unions negotiated peacefully.
Although I never did belong to any of the unions being in engineering or "middle management" I will readily admit that union negotiations with the company did greatly improve my rate of pay, free medical, pharmacy and dental care including eye glasses, a 401K with 50% company match and a full pension plan! The nice thing about the so-called 'fringe benefits' is that they are not taxable as income!
There is no way that any company would provide those benefits without a bit of nudging from her employees in a union!
What the company got in return was a workforce who were 'gung-ho' to achieve the company's goals of producing a superior product and enhancing the company's reputation as not only a good employer but as a company whose products were better than anyone elses! They also had a very low turnover in employees. For example, I stayed there 35 years and some of my friends were there for 40 to 45 years and were reluctant to retire!
Since moving here over the past ten years, I've hired locals for various tasks like plumbing, fencing, landscaping, etc. and I've found that Kingman has good workers. They're friendly and do a good job - better than what one finds in more urban areas.
Suspecting that their wages aren't very high, I always give the guys a tip when they're through - not that I have to, but rather that I think they are worth more than what they're getting for their labor - whatever that might be.
Bottom line, if a strike happens, I won't cross the picket lines AND I won't go to Wal-Mart who obviously will profit most from it. Rather, I'll go to the store which is in serious financial trouble, Basha's, until the strike is settled.
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
Article comment by:
Y'dnar
@ Union Supporter
You'd better wise up and support China too, because they're the main supporters of the USA! We are incredibly deep in debt to them, look up the monetary figure for yourself!
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
Article comment by:
Donald
It is my belief that unions are no longer necessary. During the "robber barons" era, they were most necessary. There are many laws in the books to protect employees from abusive working conditons. In union shops an exceptional and deserving employee cannot be promoted because union rules dictates that those union employees with seniority must be given that position first. It is irrelevant to the union if that employee is qualified.Likewise with firing an incompetent employee. The employer is beholden or somewhat being held hostage by the unions. So in the long run, the losers are the buying public.
The economy as it stands now, obviously is very bad. If the unions really cared for the union members, it would strongly adviced the members NOT to strike. I'm sure that for every union job, there are ten people waiting in the wings for that job.
As far as I am concerned, unions are anti-progress. Many stores are choosing those self checkout lines. If the unions keep this up, there won't be any cashier position available. With the way the electronic world is moving, is going to be sooner, rather than later before cashiers are replaced along with other positions in the supermarkets.
Wal-Mart here I come!!
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
Article comment by:
Tom
HEY JEFF!
Do UNION Presidents work for free?? Or do they work at the same pay rate as the cashier at Smiths? If the union really cares about its members then maybe the union could offer them health benefits??? Or reduce dues!
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
Article comment by:
TOM
JEFF , NO NAME PROVIDED and UNION SUPPORTER
The level of responsibility between the cashier, clerk or even store manager and the CEO or VP of a corporation is very different and cannot be fairly compared to each other. It’s like comparing apples to watermelons. In fact there is probably a very good chance that some of these jobs wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for the highly dedicated and educated CEO or VP. How many companies have failed and how many jobs have been lost due to bad leadership?
The companies that are surviving in this recession have good leadership at the corporate office; an example would be Ford Motor Company. In some cases, company leaders have worked their way up the corporate ladder from the very bottom. The real scam artists are these Union Leaders, who con or bully the hard working American worker into paying dues by telling them they deserve more and they are being under paid and taken advantage of by these greedy corporate thugs. Unions are good for the non hard working, ungrateful American who wants it all but doesn’t really want to have to earn it, and those people do need to pay someone else to think for them. Unions cost American jobs!!! There is no need to belong to a union in order to get fairness out of an employer. Unions cause companies to move overseas, increase prices, and cut benefits. Capitalism and hard work will take care of you much better than any union ever could. I hope the store CEO replaces them with the other 15 million Americans who would love a job and never gives in to the GREEDY UNIONS.
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Jobs arent what they used to be, past economics have less and less to do with todays jobs. Employers are a lot more greedy than they once were, and a good employee has no future in a company where promotions into management are given to someone that has a business degree but knows next to nothing about the job. Upper echelons and supervisors have become tyrants while complaining about the loyalty that employees no longer have for the company. Jobs that once offered good benefits to attract the better people have fallen by the wayside and the focus has turned to hiring employees that will work for less and less incentives and expect little or no raises while the ranking people rake in the bonuses on the backs of the employees hard work. Meanwhile customer service and quality continue to fall due to a lack of simple respect and rewards for a good worker. I am not a fan of unions although I have been involved in employee associations and have seen them work very well. It's not the employee raises and benefits that cost the consumer but the bonuses, bad decisions and ridiculous salaries that people who do next to nothing for the profits of a business that cost us all, remember Enron and the ridiculous profits of the oil companies.
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
Article comment by:
OUT OF WORK FOR OVER A YEAR..
It doesn't matter one way or the other during this recession. If the strike would have gone through, I would have been one of the first to be standing at the managers booth saying HIRE ME !!
Strike line or not right now its everyone for themselves. Dollars in my pocket is much more important than health care for me at this time. Besides, there's always the E.R. where I can let the government pay mt medical bills.
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I am glad there will be no strike, why should these workers be bully-ed by the union? The union was once a good thing for America when values were instilled in each and everyone and you worked as a team. The best advice is to get out of the union they do you no good Nothing but bullies!!
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
Article comment by:
V Stokes
Why does nobody give sources for their info? $78K for a Store manager who probably spends 70 or more hours a week at the store or on work related business doesn't seem that crazy. MOST cashiers and stockers are young kids..and that's pretty good money.
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
Article comment by:
Pete
Unions cost jobs!!
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I will always be union! I know, from my ancestors, what it took to get unions in place and how bad it was without unions. Six to seven days a week (the word overtime was unknown), ten to twelve hour days. All so that the greedy owners could live in their mansions.
I just checked payscale.com. Cashiers make from $8 to $14 per hour depending on their years of experience. That's not bad for a job without higher education that's not dirty and is without heavy lifting. It also doesn't include the value of the benefits. So, if a cashier wants the big bucks, maybe he needs to go to school or work to get into administration.
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
Article comment by:
Union Supporter
It's sad to see people not supporting unions. I would eat dirt before shopping at Walmart! People that shop at Walmart support China, low wages and poor benefits!
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
Article comment by:
DaveG
@Nnp
"Let's just shop at walmart"
Do you mean, "West Chinamart"?? LOL!
We all have seen how well unions have worked out for the auto industry! Arizona workers seem to have a little more common sense, in this matter; by keeping it a "Right to Work" state. But, watch out Arizona! Obama's power base are the unions. Be on the lookout for laws coming down the pipe, favoring, (or requiring), unionized states! This guy is bad news for this country!
FYI, Demoncrats; I'm one of the Independents that's going to help balance the power in Congress, in 2010!
You real Democrats that have lost control of your party; better help us put a balance of power back in Washington! Then you can work on getting real Democrats back in the party! Otherwise, there's going to be a third party explosion onto the scene!
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
Article comment by:
Jeff
Yes, Rick it is those bad, greedy store clerks that would be told to get out if they stood along, choosing to bargain collectively through a union that is causing you to pay more. Perhaps you should have investigated top management salaries:
These are 2007 (sure tack on another 10% for the last 2 years if you want to estimate 2009):
CEO/PRES $10.2 MIL
CFO $3.5 MIL
VP $3.2 MIL
VP RETAIL $3.1 MIL
SENIOR VP $1.7 MIL
VP MKTING $1.8 MIL
Those greedy store personnel salaries are:
STORE MGER $78K
CASHIER $18K
CLERK $16K
Now go ahead and calculate how much that loaf of bread is impacted by those positions.
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
Article comment by:
Warren
I see a lot of grousing from armchair economists here, but not a viable solution. Cost of living is on a constant increase. This is not likely to change as population pressures continue to increase scarcity of resources. Let him who has a practical suggestion for dealing with this speak up.
Apparently if it were up to some "free market" proponents, employers wouldn't have to pay workers anything. They'd be able to keep all the profit! Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Oh, wait.
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
