UFCW STRIKE UPDATE: The Stop & Shop Strike Enters Week Two

One week into the 31,000-member UFCW strike against Stop & Shop shows no signs of ending soon. Here is the latest:

• According to a union update earlier this week, although Stop & Shop and the union are meeting, along with federal mediators, the union reported “very minimal progress was made.”
• However, at least the two sides are still talking, as the strike enters its second week.
• Although there are only three main issues the company and unions are fighting over, they’re pretty expensive issues.
• One analyst says that the strike is costing Stop & Shop $2 million per week.

• Strikers still have another week of striking before they can collect union strike pay from the UFCW—and, at most, that will only be $100 per week.
• Former Vice President Joe Biden will by rallying strikers in Dorchester on Thursday.
• Strikers’ stress is beginning to mount as the bills start to pile up
• UFCW strikers are reportedly harassing Stop & Shop customers who cross picket lines.
• “We viewed it as America’s version of socialism,” said Mass. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, whose family founded Stop & Shop.
• Many Stop & Shop stores reportedly have empty shelves.