Stop & Shop Locals to Take Strike Vote

WESTPORT, Conn. -- Two union locals representing workers at Stop & Shop are scheduled to take a strike vote today, bringing pressure on the retailer to settle on a new contract, Brian Petronella, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 371 here, told SN. The union represents 4,800 of about 40,000 Stop & Shop workers throughout New England whose contracts expire Feb. 17. According to Petronella, Local 919, Farmington, Conn., also intends to hold a strike vote today. Other locals have scheduled meetings over the next few weeks, Petronella said. Petronella said the sides have made “no progress” in nine negotiating sessions, citing health care contributions as the major sticking point. Officials of Stop & Shop, Quincy, Mass., were not immediately available for comment. -- Jon Springer