SAN DIEGO — Union employees of Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons in San Diego County voted in favor of allowing union negotiators to strike Wednesday night if they feel it is necessary during future contract negotiations.
“They sent a strong message to our employers,” said Local 135 United Food and Commercial Workers Union President Mickey Kasparian. “It’s time to get into serious bargaining or they’ll have problems on their hands,” he added.
The local vote only accounts for about 10,000 of the union’s 60,000 members across Southern California. If the vote in other areas turns out similar to the one at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Wednesday night, union leaders could ask workers to walk off the job at any point afterward. However Kasparian said that a strike most likely won’t happen unless negotiations fail.
“We don’t want to inconvenience the public,” said Kasparian. “We don’t want our members out on the picket lines. Times are tough today. The economy is not exactly at the healthiest.”
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For background on other United Food & Commercial Workers strikes, go here.
