Contract talks between striking grocery workers and the management of Raley's and Nob Hill Foods grocery stores resumed Sunday, a week after a strike began at stores across Northern California, according to union officials.
Talks re-started as of 10 a.m. Sunday, but picket lines continued, according to a statement posted on the web site of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5.
"While this is a positive development, it is no time to let down our guard," the statement read. "The strength exhibited on our picket lines and our success in diverting customers to other stores will bring the company to its senses and lead to our victory."
The strike, involving an estimated 7,000 grocery workers in Northern and Central California, started Nov. 4 when Raley's officials implemented the company's "last, best and final" contract proposals after 15 months of negotiations.
The changes included a two-year wage freeze and the elimination of the premiums paid for employees working Sundays, nights and holidays.
Raley's spokesman John Segale said at the time that Raley's urgently needed to cut costs in a "fiercely competitive" market. He said the Sacramento-based chain, which includes Raley's, Nob Hill Foods and Bel Air stores, has closed five stores in the past year and seen the opening or expansion of 240 non-union stores in its markets since 2008.
Steven Bennet, a Nob Hill employee in Capitola and captain of the strike at that store, said Friday he's had enough.
“This is the final straw for me. I can no longer continually concede to Raley's demands. In my opinion this is corporate greed," Bennet told Patch.
Raley's and Nob Hill Foods have more than two dozen stores located in the Bay Area.
—Bay City News contributed to this report
Definition of 'Unskilled Labor' A segment of the work force associated with a low skill level or a limited economic value for the work performed (human capital). Unskilled labor is generally characterized by low education levels and small wages. Work that requires no specific education or experience is often available to workers who fall into the unskilled labor force. Investopedia explains 'Unskilled Labor' Unskilled labor provides a significant part of the overall labor market, performing daily production tasks that do not depend on technical abilities or skills. Menial or repetitive tasks are typical unskilled labor positions. Jobs that can be fully learned in less than 30 days often fall into the unskilled labor category. Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/u/unskilled-labor.asp#ixzz2C5Uvic4e
P.S. What does "Unskilled Labor" have to do with anything???
Come on Nob Hill, you are nothing without your employees; No amount of free/discounted food will bring me or my family back until the strike it over.
Cathy--Their bread and butter are the customers, actually. And, if they ever fold, ALL employees become unemployed, but we can shop elsewhere. Adam--I may be mistaken, but my understanding was that only healthcare for retirees was affected, and even then, not eliminated, just not subsudized as much. Personally, I prefer Nob Hill BECAUSE of the employees. I'm not so guided by emotion, however, that I ignore the fact that benefits cost money and customers pay the money. In the end, I'm willing and able to pay a little more for items to be in that environment. Overall, however, Nob Hill argues that it can't be competitive if they're items cost more and the majority of customers can't pay it or won't and therefore shop elsewhere.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Like THAT'S a well-thought out solution: add hundreds of people to the unemployment line, more housing foreclosures, another empty storefront in town. Get real! If you want to bag your own bananas go to Food Maxx!
a living wage reflecting the local economy they're living in. Supermarket News reports Raley's sales of 3.4 billion in 2009, down in 2012 to 3.0 billion, citing the poor economy and increased competition. A privately owned, family owned company, not accountable to stockholders, choosing to pass on a relatively small loss to their employees who are also suffering in a economy. Abraham Lincoln said labor is superior to capital. It's a great quote you should look it up. There are lots of reasonable comments posted here, on both sides of the issue. But, I have to remark about someone with such obvious disdain for his fellow human beings. I can't imagine what it's like to pass thru life with such rancor in one's heart. Are you checking out soon? To quote our President...Please, proceed.
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