UFCW Ready to Strike Dominick’s
By George Anderson
Approximately 80 percent of the 9,000 associates represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers union and working at Dominick’s voted to authorize a strike.
The workers are seeking higher wages and medical benefits. Dominick’s parent, Safeway, contends that it is already paying well above market rates to the associates. Last week, the retailer threatened to shut down or sell Dominick’s if the workers went on strike.
Moderator’s Comment: What will be the outcome of the
UFCW and Safeway negotiations?
We’d like to see Dominick’s go the employee stock ownership
(ESOP) route similar to Hy-Vee and Publix. Safeway can’t fix its past mismanagement
of the chain and needs to get out. A deal should be able to be worked out assuming
Steve Burd puts a price on Dominick’s that reflects Safeway’s public comments
the Chicago businesses’ (lack of) prospects. [George
Anderson – Moderator]