Albertsons Named in Union Action

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In three complaints, grocery union officials allege Albertsons intimidated and interrogated employees before a strike authorization vote, a violation of the National Labor Relations Act.


The chain denies any wrongdoing.


“Every action that we have taken throughout the negotiations themselves have been completely lawful acts,” said Albertsons spokeswoman Stephanie Martin.


The United Food and Commercial Workers union and Southern California grocery chains, including Vons and Ralphs, have been trying to hammer out a new three-year contract since March 5, when the old contract was extended.


Union members voted Sunday to authorize a strike against Albertsons, giving union leaders the power to call for a walkout. The chain employs 22,000 union members at 249 Albertsons across Southern California.


The last round of negotiations three years ago resulted in a 139-day strike against the supermarket chains, one of the nation’s longest such job actions. The chains lost an estimated $2 billion.


Albertsons’ parent company, Supervalu, is in a weaker position than Vons or Ralphs, having bought out Albertsons last year and taken on about $7.7 billion in debt.


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