Redlands/Loma Linda Spared from Grocery Strike

The grocery strike has officially been averted.

On Friday and Saturday, thousands of grocery workers from seven United Food and Commercial Workers chapters voted to ratify a contract that took nearly eight months to negotiate and had Californians from Mammoth to the Mexican border preparing for what appeared to be an imminent strike.

Union leadership says they recommended the membership approve an agreement that was reached Sept. 19 with negotiators from Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons and UFCW Locals 1167 - that represents stores in Redlands – and 8, 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442.

“This is a pooled vote of all the local unions in Southern California,” union representatives through a written statement. “In keeping with the union's long-standing policy, the actual numbers are not being released.”

The new contract affects approximately 62,000 workers in a region that spans between Kern, Inyo and Mono counties in the north, the Mexican border in the south and the Arizona border in the east. Its term will extend from March 7, 2011, to March 2, 2014.

Health care funding and how much each side would pay into a longterm healthcare trust fund was the biggest stumbling block for negotiators.

Union organizers recognized the impact the threat of a strike was having on communities. Ultimately business leaders, clergy, community activists and politicians played a role in the grocery workers fight to keep health care affordable as many rallied in support, officials said.

“There was a sense of relief when people had a opportunity to really look over the new contract and see what was in it," food clerk Mario Frias, a 22-year Ralphs employee, said through the union news release.

“This package protects our members' access to affordable comprehensive health care for themselves and their families," union leaders said. "That was our top priority throughout the negotiating process.

"We owe our success to our members, who stood united and strong, and to all of our loyal customers who pledged their support for the workers."