Grocery Workers' Strike

To the Editor:þþRe ÿThe Wal-Martization of Americaÿ (editorial, Nov. 15):þþSafeway's effort to leapfrog Wal-Mart in the race to the bottom of the wage and benefit barrel has made it the prime source of the Southern California grocery workers' strike.þþInstead of using its profitable market position to maintain the work force that created the profits, Safeway decided to squander millions of dollars and untold amounts of customer good will in the street fight over health care benefits.þþThe corporate objective goes far beyond an effort to make employees ÿpay more for health insurance,ÿ as you say. Safeway's proposal in effect eliminates any meaningful health benefits for workers in the future.þþAffordable health insurance is the linchpin that keeps many working families connected to the middle class. If Safeway can eliminate health benefits, it will send a signal across corporate America that will bring a rising number of workers into the ranks of the uninsured.þþDOUGLAS H. DORITYþInternational PresidentþUnited Food & Commercial Workers International Union, A.F.L.-C.I.O.þWashington, Nov. 18, 2003þþþþ