Union: Grocery Workers Talk of Strike

The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor will join a regional union effort to walk picket lines, attend rallies and support grocery workers if they decide to go on strike over health care costs, the federation announced Wednesday.

Negotiations between the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 and grocery stores Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons have continued since the union voted in April to authorize a strike—the union's contract expired in March.

The main issue appears to be proposed changes to workers' contributions to health care coverage costs.

And if workers decide to strike, "we pledge $100,000 to start the Grocery Workers' Hardship Fund should these workers be forced to strike," said Maria Elena Durazo, executive secretary-treasurer of the county Federation of Labor. "This fund will grow as needed. We are prepared to do whatever it takes to support these grocery workers."

A statement issued Tuesday from the three grocery stores called a strike "unnecessary," because of the ongoing negotiations. And, the stores called their health care plan "reasonable."

"Although the proposal makes some changes to the current health and welfare plan, employees would pay as little as $9 a week for coverage; receive coverage if they work just 16 hours per week, depending on their job; and have access to an excellent health care plan that allows them to receive comprehensive coverage for themselves and their families," the statement said.

There was a grocery strike and lockout before that began in 2003, and not only hurt the pockets of workers but also cost grocery store chains about $1.5 billion, according to reports.

Here in Hermosa Beach, there is a  on Pier Avenue and  on PCH. 

— City News Service contributed to this report.