Strike threat from over 6,000 grocery workers appears to be over

Thousands of Food4Less workers who, in early June, threatened to walk off the job have reached a tentative deal, reports CBS News. 

The group, which numbered more than 6,000 and represented 15 Food4Less stores in Los Angeles County, wanted higher pay and safety improvements, but details of the agreement have not been released.

The union contract expired on June 8, and after the workers voted overwhelmingly to strike, Kroger, which owns Food4Less, stepped in to try and ramp up negotiations, which were ongoing since April. Kroger worked with representatives of UFCW Locals 8GS, 324, 770, 1167, 1428, and 1442.

According to a story in The Guardian, UFCW grocery clerks at Food4Less get fewer hours, receive fewer benefits, and earn $4.30 less per hour than Kroger-owned Ralph’s stores in the Los Angeles County area.

Additionally, the union claimed that in late May, Kroger listed temporary positions at Food4Less stores as a union-busting tactic.

KNBC in Los Angeles reported the disgruntled employees were presented with an offer that included salary increases of up to $25.80 an hour by 2026 for full-time cashiers with four years of full-time service. The deal also would not increase employee health insurance costs for three years.

On Thursday during a shareholder meeting Kroger investors struck down a living wage policy. If it was adopted, the move would have established wage policies that were “reasonably designed to provide workers with the minimum earnings necessary to meet the family's basic needs.”

Kroger has not responded to a request for comment in time for publication.