Business & Tech
Shoppers React to Possible Grocery Strike
The grocery workers union and three supermarket chains have resumed negotiations.
Most shoppers prefer to buy their groceries in peace and not deal with the chaos of storefront picket lines, according to an informal Patch survey of South Bay residents.
Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons are back in negotiations with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 after the union summarily voted to authorize a strike Aug. 20.
Grocery store employees are disgruntled over the supermarket chains' decreasing contributions to a health care trust fund that union officials say is in danger of going bankrupt. A recent offer has workers paying $36 per month for individual coverage and $92 per month for family coverage.
Find out what's happening in Redondo Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
If a strike does occur, supermarket chains may see some shoppers take their business elsewhere, such as independent grocers and specialty stores like and .
"I'd do most of my shopping here at Bristol Farms," said Redondo Beach resident Jane Marott.
Find out what's happening in Redondo Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Jake H. of Hermosa Beach, who declined to disclose his full name, was one of the few residents willing to shop amidst a strike.
"I don't think I have a very good feeling about how unions are acting nowadays, so ultimately it wouldn't affect me at all," Jake said. "I think our family would continue to go to Ralphs."
