Fred Meyer Strike, Kroger Case Continue

PORTLAND, Ore. –As about 4500 Portland area Fred Meyer grocery workers continue their strike, they’re getting some support from Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, who joined their picket lines.  “Down here standing with the workers of UFCW in support of, well, against unfair labor practices. Because quite frankly, the Fred Meyers is not coming through transparently with information is required, negotiated unfairly, making public promises that they aren’t our negotiating table. It’s so important. We stand with workers.”

Oregon State Representative and Congressional Candidate Janelle Bynum joined Merkley and the striking workers. “Got to stand with workers. Let’s clap it up!” she exclaimed.

Negotiators have scheduled talks between the union and the company today and Friday.

The strike includes 28 Portland area, Fred Meyer stores with their clerks outside demanding the company, “Follow the law to give us timely information when we need it and to not directly deal with our members, but to deal with the union as they should<

The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555’s Miles Eshaia says this is an unfair labor practices strike.  “One example of an unfair labor practice charge against Fred Meyer is misleading their employees by claiming that they offered additional funding for their pension.  No such proposal has been put forth at the bargaining table.”

Fred Meyer’s President says the company respects his employees rights to bargain. The stores will stay open to serve the Portland community with food and pharmacy necessities. This strike does not impact them more than 1000 Southwest Washington Fred Meyer employees.

The union has withdrawn its previous support for parent company Kroger’s proposed merger with Albertsons.  That’s now the subject of a federal court hearing underway  in Portland.