Negotiations are set to resume Monday between Food 4 Less and the union representing its approximately 6,000 workers, three days after employees finished voting overwhelming to authorize a strike.þþ“Today's overwhelming strike authorization vote sends a clear message to the company: we will not be divided,'' the union's bargaining committee said in a statement released Friday.þþ“It's us and our fellow members that are in the stores day in and day out, making record profits and keeping customers happy. But Food 4 Less is trying to intimidate, bully, and strong-arm us into accepting a contract that is less than what we deserve and far less than what their parent company, Kroger, offers to other union grocery workers in the area,” the statement continued.þþ“We know our customers and our communities are on our side, and if Food 4 Less/Foods Co. continues to play games with our livelihoods and drag its feet at the bargaining table, we will be forced to take action. We look forward to continuing negotiations this Monday where we will continue to stand together for the contract we deserve.”þþSalvador Ramirez, a spokesman for The Kroger Co., the parent company of Food 4 Less, said in a statement: ``We are disappointed in this outcome and looking forward to the union coming back to the table on Monday. From the start, our focus has been putting more money in our associates' paychecks. þþ“We have presented a historic offer that includes over $70 million in wage investments, industry-leading health care, and retirement benefits,” Ramirez continued. ``Our associates are the heartbeat of our company, and we will continue to do everything we can to balance investments in wages and overall associate well-being while keeping food affordable for our customers. þþOur stores will continue to be open for business to serve our communities.''
Source: nbclosangeles.com
