Vons, Ralphs and Albertsons have always prided themselves on the fair deals they provide their customers. Tuesday, disgruntled workers from these three chains picketed for a fair healthcare deal to be extended to them.

Waving placards and chanting slogans such as “no contract, no peace,” an estimated 1,000 grocery workers represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 come out in force to air their grievances with employers’ proposed hike in healthcare costs that they see as unaffordable to most low-wage grocery workers.

Congregating first near the Ralphs store on Huntington Drive, the protesters marched slowly along Michillinda Avenue before coming to a halt in the shadow of Vons’ headquarters, where union representatives took to the back of a truck to address the crowd. Police closed Michillinda to vehicle traffic between Sunset Boulevard and Huntington Drive from 8 a.m.–noon to accommodate the demonstrators.

Rising Healthcare Costs the Issue

“With this protest, we’re just trying to ensure that grocery workers are treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve,” said John Grant, secretary-treasurer of UFCW. “Essentially, we want to keep everything the same. We’ve got no exaggerated claims.”

As it stands, Grant said that union workers who were employed before the last grocery workers strike back in 2003-2004 are entitled to full healthcare coverage. Those employed after the strike are responsible for paying for a small healthcare premium.

Under a proposal put forward by Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons, Grant said that all workers will be responsible for their healthcare premiums, which could increase from the current rate by up to 50 percent. According to Martel Fraser, recorder for UFCW, this will push the burden of payment onto the taxpayer.

“Fifty percent of workers have already opted to stay uninsured in order to pay their utility bills,” said Fraser. “Who do you think pays for these people when they get sick? The state, that’s who. And this situation is only going to get worse if these companies get their way.”

Fraser pointed to a leaflet in a UFCW press packet detailing a letter that Vons had apparently sent out to its workers. The letter explains how anyone who cannot afford their healthcare premiums may be eligible for state assisted healthcare coverage.

“Over the last three years these companies have posted a $3 billion profit,” Fraser added. “And yet the state has to subsidize their premiums.”

Speaking from Vons’ headquarters as the protest proceeded outside, Daymond Rice, director of public affairs and government relations for Vons, said that “made-for-media events such as this” have no bearing on the negotiation process.

“The current healthcare proposal, as it stands on May 17, calls for modest cost-sharing,” said Rice, who added that current premiums per week of $7 and $15 could increase to $9 and $23 respectively.

“As it stands, current workers who were employed before the last strike of 2004 are not responsible for any of their healthcare costs, which is frankly unbelievable in this day and age,” Rice added.

Rice said that no counter-offer to their May 17 proposal was put forward until yesterday, and that it didn’t cover any of the fundamental problems associated with escalating healthcare costs. “I would describe it as disappointing,” he added.

In response to UFCW’s assertion that the new proposal will see the financial burden of healthcare placed onto the taxpayer, Rice said that these claims are simply not true.

“By definition that is not cost shifting. No matter what this contract looks like the employer will still pay the lion's share,” Rice said.

Tentative Agreement Reached on Pensions

Since the workers’ contract expired March 6, the two parties have been thrashing out a new pension deal, and recently reached a tentative agreement. According to Mike Shimpock, UFCW spokesman, it is because of these talks that they were unable to offer a counter-proposal until yesterday.

As the rally reached its denouement, and with the imposing grey façade of Vons’ HQ as a backdrop, one speaker took the back of a truck to make a fervent appeal to the big chains.

“I have two kids,” he cried, to a chorus of applause. “All I want is the best for my two kids. We’re not asking for their kind of bonuses, we’re asking for a livable wage. Shame on Ralphs. Shame on Albertsons. Shame on Vons.”

Two other UFCW organized protests took place today at Ralphs' offices in Compton and Albertsons' offices in Artesia. Negotiations between the two parties have also been in process throughout the day, and were federally mediated.

Since the current workers’ contract expired in March, there has been in place a day-to-day contract that could be cancelled by either party after a 72-hour notice period.