Reflection Time for UFCW and Chains
By George Anderson
Peter J. Hurtgen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, is the man credited with helping to find an end to last year’s dockworkers strike on the West Coast
as well as bringing the negotiations between the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) and the chains in St. Louis to a satisfactory conclusion. Mr. Hurtgen is pleased
with the progress made over the past several days by the parties in the grocery workers lockout/strike in Southern California.
Now, he thinks its time for the chains and the union to step away from the negotiating table and reflect on what’s to be discussed.
Mr. Hurtgen refused to offer a definite time for negotiations to resume, only saying that he would be in touch with the parties and talks would begin again at the appropriate
time.
Moderator’s Comment: What are your latest thoughts on what is going on in the California lockout/strike?
Outside the negotiating room, the union and chains continue to fight the battle for public sentiment while each side has engaged in the typical sue me,
sue you activity associated with strident labor negotiations.
If Mr. Hurtgen pulls this one off, he’ll deserve a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. [George
Anderson – Moderator]