Union Files Labor Charges vs. Shoppers

LANDOVER, Md. — United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 here said Tuesday it has filed unfair labor practice charges against Shoppers Food & Pharmacy, alleging the chain is attempting to intimidate workers as the two sides negotiate a new contract.

The union local, which filed the charges with the National Labor Relations Board, said the chain’s management has sought to “create a climate of fear” by including “stopping workers from talking with customers, harassing them off the clock, unilaterally altering their vacation bonuses, imposing onerous hours on a union activist, interfering with another activist's right to wear a UFCW Local 400 button, and denying workers their free speech rights through social media.”

A spokesman for Shoppers, a division of Minneapolis-based Supervalu, told SN the company was “committed to working with the union to reach a fair agreement that continues to provide our associates with good wages, access to affordable health care and secure retirement benefits.”

“Shoppers respects the rights of our associates to express their opinions and acts in accordance with all applicable labor laws. These allegations are without merit and we will defend our position should the union decide to pursue them further. We believe that the parties need to focus on bargaining at the table to reach an agreement.”

The UFCW’s current contract with Shoppers expires July 7.