May 7, 2009

LOCAL 7 GROCERY WORKERS AT SAFEWAY AND KING SOOPERS REJECT PAY FREEZES AND PENSION BENEFIT CUTS

This week, UFCW Local 7 grocery workers at Safeway and King Soopers unanimously voted to reject proposals fthat slash pension benefits and freeze wages for most workers.

“These companies need to get as serious about their proposals to workers as they are about making profits,” said UFCW Associate Legal Counsel Crisanta Duran.  “If we are serious about restoring the economy, we need to make sure middle class grocery workers are able to support their families with a livable wage and a secure retirement.”
 
As Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Krugman noted in today’s New York Times column, “Falling Wage Syndrome” wage cuts are bad for the economy.  According to Krugman, “…falling wages are a symptom of a sick economy. And soon we may be facing the paradox of wages: workers at any one company can help save their jobs by accepting lower wages, but when employers across the economy cut wages at the same time, the result is higher unemployment.”
 
According to 29-year Safeway employee Arlys Carlson, “It would be our hope the companies would bargain in good faith and pay us what we are worth.  If the companies would do that no replacement help would be needed. All we’re asking is that the companies take care of us the same way we’ve always taken care of the customers.”
 
UFCW Local #7 represents approximately 17,000 Colorado grocery workers at Safeway, King Soopers/City Market, and Albertson’s whose contracts expire on May 9, 2009. Negotiations began April 9 and will continue daily through the expiration on May 9.