Union grocers stuck in California pressure cooker

[The Northerner]

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A high-stakes supermarket labor dispute in southern California, the nation's toughest and most trend-setting food retail market, is exposing the challenges facing the grocery business and its union workers.

In 2003, the region played host to the longest work stoppage in the history of the U.S. grocery industry. That bitter, four-and-a-half-month standoff shifted more than $1 billion in sales, and the loyalty of some shoppers, to competitors.

Back then, the threat was Wal-Mart Stores Inc's push into groceries. The growth of Wal-Mart and other nonunion food sellers has turned southern California into one of the hardest markets for union supermarkets to prosper.

Now, union membership is dwindling among U.S. retail workers, along with the market share controlled by unionized grocers. As in many union battles across the country, a big issue is who should pay for rising healthcare costs.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/union-grocers-stuck-california-pressure-cooker-192913940.html

[senseandsensibility]

1. Solidarity.

I support the workers.

[Sherman A1]

2. Agreed & Well Said

I stand with the workers. I somehow suspect that the owners are doing just fine.

Yes, times are challenging and I am sure that the Unions will be reasonable, however that does not mean the workers wages & benefits should be the only means of controlling costs and remaining competitive.

[senseandsensibility]

3. Absolutely

spot on. Not only is it not fair for workers to shoulder the entire burden of the current economy, it will harm all workers if we allow this to happen. The more workers do not have healthcare and a basic living wage, the more others will say workers don't deserve them. We all deserve these things, and fighting for them is in all of our best interest.:hi: