Portland, Oregon – Thousands of Fred Meyer employees in the Portland area engaged in a strike on Wednesday, organized by members of UFCW Local 555 to protest what they claim to be unfair labor practices. The strike, affecting 28 Fred Meyer locations, is anticipated to last until September 3. Despite the strike, the impacted stores have remained open, utilizing temporary workers to ensure operational continuity.
The negotiations between Fred Meyer’s parent company, Kroger, and Local 555 hit a snag over disputes regarding employee wages and retirement funding. Local 555 alleges that Fred Meyer engaged in unfair practices by releasing a robocall concerning increased employee pensions without a formally proposed plan. This accusation led to tensions as the union urged Fred Meyer to adhere to proper negotiation processes.
In response to the strike, Fred Meyer released a statement expressing its commitment to ongoing discussions with Local 555 and refuted the union’s claims. Fred Meyer’s President, Todd Kammeyer, emphasized the company’s support for collective bargaining and the importance of giving associates a voice in decisions affecting their welfare and pay.
The strike at Fred Meyer locations garnered mixed reactions from customers visiting the stores. While some supported the employees’ right to strike, others expressed mixed feelings about the demonstration. Local 555’s President, Dan Clay, encouraged customers to seek alternative grocery shopping options during the strike, citing Safeway and Albertsons as alternatives with better treatment of their employees.
The strike is an illustration of the ongoing challenges faced by labor unions and corporations in negotiating fair labor agreements. As negotiations are set to resume between Fred Meyer and Local 555 on Thursday and Friday, both parties strive to find common ground and address the concerns raised by the striking employees. The outcome of these discussions will have implications for the future working conditions and compensation for Fred Meyer employees in the Portland area.