http://www.ufcw.org/workplace_connections/retail/strike_updates/southern_california/

HOLD THE LINE FOR AMERICA’S HEALTH CARE: Corporate Greed vs. Human
Need—The Southern California Supermarket Strike/Lockout

QUICK FACTS FROM THE UFCW
FOR WORKERS AND CONSUMERS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

1. Workers at Vons (Safeway), Ralph’s (Kroger), Albertson’s turned out in
unprecedented numbers (over 80%) and voted overwhelming ( over 95%) to fight
employers’ demands to effectively eliminate health benefits. On October 11, 2003, workers
struck Vons across Southern California. Albertson’s and Ralph’s locked out their workers.

2. The employers’ proposal will take away any meaningful health care benefits for all new hires, fail to adequately fund existing benefits for current workers, and create a funding crisis that will lead to the elimination of existing benefits. Employers’ statements about $5 to $15 a week co-pays are just a ruse. Ask the bosses and demand a straight answer:
“If workers paid a $5 to $15 would they be able to keep their existing benefits with no cuts?”
Ask the bosses and demand a straight answer: “Would new hires get any real benefits for their families by the end of the contract under the company proposal?”

3. Strikers from Southern California are extending their strike picket lines to Safeway stores in Northern California— these strikers may legally take their strike picket lines to any Safeway operation. The strikers are not, at this time, asking workers to honor the picket line. The strikers are asking customers to honor their picket lines and not shop at Safeway.

4. Workers in the Northern California stores are part of the same International Union— the UFCW— as the strikers. The Northern California workers will face the same employer demands next year in their contract negotiations. The strikers are fighting for all Safeway workers, and ultimately all workers who face corporate demands to cut and gut benefits.

5. Workers make an average of $12.50 an hour with a 30 hour week— about $19,000 a year.

6. The supermarket giants are not responding to competitive pressure from Wal-Mart. The three chains have 60% of the market in Southern California. Even with its planned expansion, Wal-Mart will have 1% of the market.

7.Safeway is the strike target because the company and its CEO Steve Burd have led the attack on workers and their health benefits. Burd told the financial community that forcing Southern California workers on strike was an “investment in the future.”

8. Safeway, Ralph’s and Albertson’s are Fortune 50 corporations. Their profits have gone up 91% since 1998. If these corporate giants can eliminate health care, every worker is at risk.

http://www.ufcw.org/workplace_connections/retail/strike_updates/southern_california/