Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
Left with an expired labor deal, Stop & Shop workers in New England walked off the job Thursday afternoon as negotiations again fell apart this week.
The 31,000 Stop & Shop workers represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) already voted to authorize a strike last month, but hadn't left their posts until Thursday at 1:15 p.m. Its three-year labor deal expired Feb. 23.
Union officials said members of Locals 919 (Farmington) and 371 (Westport) began a protest at the Stop & Shop in East Hartford, 940 Silver Lane, at that time to push back against the Mass.-based company's latest "final offer," which included $75,000 buyouts for the supermarket's tenured staff.
UFCW spokeswoman Amy Ritter earlier this week downplayed the buyout offer, claiming it would only be available to 1.29 percent of Stop & Shop's workforce in New England.
"We see this proposed buyout as nothing more than a bribe of our most loyal, senior members in an attempt to convince them to go against their own best interest…" Ritter said earlier this week.
The company operates several stores in Central Massachusetts, including three in Worcester, Shrewsbury, Grafton, Westborough, Framingham, Milford and other communities.
Thursday's strike comes a day after shareholders of Stop & Shop's parent company, Netherlands-based Ahold Delhaize, voted to give themselves an 11 percent raise in dividends compared to a year prior. That payout, delivered on April 25, will amount to about $880 million for shareholders, UFCW said.
It wasn't immediately clear from UFCW on Thursday afternoon how long the strike would last, or how store operations would be impacted.
Stop & Shop could not be reached for immediate comment Thursday.
Stay connected! Every business day, WBJ Daily Report will be delivered to your inbox by noon. It provides a daily update of the area’s most important business news.
Sign upWorcester Business Journal provides the top coverage of news, trends, data, politics and personalities of the Central Mass business community. Get the news and information you need from the award-winning writers at WBJ. Don’t miss out - subscribe today.
SubscribeWorcester Business Journal presents a special commemorative edition celebrating the 300th anniversary of the city of Worcester. This landmark publication covers the city and region’s rich history of growth and innovation.
See Digital EditionStay connected! Every business day, WBJ Daily Report will be delivered to your inbox by noon. It provides a daily update of the area’s most important business news.
Worcester Business Journal provides the top coverage of news, trends, data, politics and personalities of the Central Mass business community. Get the news and information you need from the award-winning writers at WBJ. Don’t miss out - subscribe today.
Worcester Business Journal presents a special commemorative edition celebrating the 300th anniversary of the city of Worcester. This landmark publication covers the city and region’s rich history of growth and innovation.
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy
0 Comments