The union representing thousands of Oregon grocery workers reached a tentative labor agreement with management Friday night, ending a strike that was scheduled to run through Christmas Eve.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555, representing many employees at Fred Meyer and Quality Food Centers stores, says the new agreement provides significant wage increases and workplace protections, new retirement and healthcare benefits.
The union has been in negotiations for months with the Kroger-owned supermarket chains. Last weekend, UFCW announced its members had authorized a strike, which began Friday morning at stores in Portland, Bend, Newberg and Klamath Falls.
Two leaders of the Oregon Education Association, right, which represents Oregon teachers, joined the crowd outside the Hawthorne Fred Meyer in Southeast Portland, Dec. 17, 2021. A weeklong strike by unionized employees at some Oregon Fred Meyer and QFC stores began at 6 a.m.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
After the strike authorization, at least one Fred Meyer store posted a sign saying it was seeking temporary workers willing to cross picket lines.
A sign inside the Stadium Fred Meyer on NW 20th Place in Portland, states the company is looking for temporary associates who, among other things, must be “willing to cross a picket line,” Dec. 17, 2021. A weeklong strike by unionized employees at some Oregon Fred Meyer and QFC stores began at 6 a.m.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
Prior to reaching a tentative agreement, union representatives said that Fred Meyer has been underpaying certain workers in violation of contract terms. A UFCW spokesperson has also said the grocery chain hasn’t been providing necessary information to the union to refute or verify its concern, or to address it through the grievance process.
The UFCW said this inadequate pay and lack of documentation constitute unfair labor practices — and it’s on the basis of these unfair labor allegations that the UFCW had been preparing to strike.
A spokesperson for Fred Meyer has said the company is following, and plans to continue to follow, applicable labor laws.