Safeway workers demand fair pay, strike could hit stores within hours
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) —Thousands of Safeway workers across Northern California are on the verge of walking off the job if a new labor agreement isn't reached by midnight.
The strike threat includes workers on the Central Coast, where negotiations over pay and benefits have stalled after months of back and forth between Safeway and the union representing its employees.
"It's such an expensive area to live in that, to strike here at Safeway. I would be backing them because they need to have wages comparable to the cost of living in this area," Kip Johnson said. Kip Johnson lives in Salinas.
I think that those workers do deserve a lot more. They were the ones that stayed strong for us during Covid, Anna said. Anna lives in Salinas.
Safeway released a statement saying,
"We remain committed to engaging in good-faith discussions to reach a new agreement with UFCW locals. We are hopeful a resolution will be reached soon. We value our associates and the critical role they play in our success. We have put forward a strong offer that includes meaningful wage increases, continued investment in secure healthcare coverage, and the long-term stability of the pension plan, reflecting both the dedication of our associates and the real economic conditions facing our industry."
If a strike moves forward, it could cause disruptions as early as this weekend. Customers may see fewer checkout lanes open, slower restocking of shelves, and possibly even temporary store closures.
"I think it will impact if they're going to close the store down or if they're going to use other people that are nonunion to come in, and that's going to create a problem," Kip Johnson said. Kip Johnson lives in Salinas.
"I think it will probably make other people go to other stores to shop," Kip Johnson said. Kip Johnson lives in Salinas.
Union officials say the deadline for a deal is midnight Friday. If negotiations fail, workers could begin striking as soon as Saturday morning.
