UFCW Arbitration Offer Rejected
By George Anderson
The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) offered to immediately end its strike in Southern California yesterday and agree to binding arbitration with Albertsons, Kroger
and Safeway in the labor dispute that has gone on for more than four months.
The chains rejected the union’s offer with the following statement: “Today’s union announcement suggesting arbitration is just another effort to shift the focus away from the
United Food and Commercial Workers’ apparent inability to find a negotiated settlement to this labor dispute. Labor disputes are resolved by face-to-face negotiations with people
familiar with the issues.”
Moderator’s Comment: What is your take on the latest developments in the Southern California
grocery workers strike/lockout?
Personally, our reaction to the offer for arbitration was that it was both fair and overdue. Four months have told us that the two parties are not able
to reach a deal. In the end, neither party will be completely happy with the final deal. Choosing arbitration might actually get a deal done. –
George
Anderson – Moderator