Nearly 4,500 Fred Meyer workers in Portland area could strike

About 4,500 grocery workers in the Portland, Ore., area could authorize a strike over what its union is calling a breach in contract. 

The United Food and Commercial Workers 555, which represents 35,000 grocery employees in Oregon, Southwest Washington state, and Idaho, said workers at Fred Meyer will vote on the option to strike on Aug. 13. Fred Meyer is a subsidiary of Kroger. 

According to the union, Fred Meyer is refusing to provide essential information for current contract negotiations and is refusing to process grievances. 

Contract negotiations are ongoing and the two sides are scheduled to meet on Aug. 14 and Aug. 15.

The union has also filed a federal lawsuit as it tries to get Fred Meyer to adhere to the terms of its contract. 

Tiffany Sanders, a spokesperson for Fred Meyer, said she is confident the union’s claims of unfair labor practices will be unsubstantiated. 

“We are committed to continuing negotiations in good faith and encourage the union to do the same on behalf of our dedicated associates,” Sanders said. “Our goal is to ensure our hardworking associates receive fair compensation, industry-leading health care, and a secure pension for their retirement.”