Overview
- UFCW Local 5 members representing roughly 25,000 Bay Area Safeway employees overwhelmingly approved a strike authorization last week
- Union leaders say current full-time wages averaging about $28 an hour have not kept pace with high Bay Area living costs
- The union’s federal unfair labor practice charges allege Safeway refused to bargain in good faith and have strengthened the union’s negotiating leverage
- Safeway has countered with a proposal offering meaningful wage increases, continued healthcare coverage investment and pension plan stability
- Contract talks continue under federal mediation and union officials warn workers will walk off as soon as next week if no new deal is reached