Natick Stop & Shop Workers Move Into Day 2 Of Strike

NATICK, MA — Thousands of Stop & Shop workers are still on strike in New England, including in Natick. Workers in Natick and across Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut walked out of work Thursday, after contract negotiations failed between their union and the company. The workers are represented by the United Food & Commercial Workers Locals 1445, 328, 371, 919 and 1459.

Strikers in Natick stuck out through day two, attempting to block a delivery truck from making deliveries to the North Natick store, located at 829 Worcester St. The strikers said they had been at the location since yesterday. "We've been here all day, all night," Ken Kearns said. Kearns was a receiver at the store before the strike. "Defector today, receiver tomorrow," he shouted. A small group of fellow strikers stood behind him, ready to wait out the delivery truck.

Workers' previous contract expired in February. At the center of negotiations was time-and-a-half pay for Sundays and holidays, which the union said the company was trying to strip away
Stop & Shop said at the time the agreement had to be in line with industry changes.

With minimum wages gradually increasing each year until it reaches $15 an hour, Massachusetts is in the process of phasing out time-and-a-half pay for Sundays and holidays.

Another receiver in Natick on strike, who only gave his first name, John, said he's been with Stop & Shop for 18 years. "We're always doing what's best for the customers, keeping things fresh," he said, "Right now nothings fresh in there." John said that without the time-and-a-half pay, his salary will take a real hit. "We want to help the customers," he said, "But they (the company) don't want to help us."

The walkouts affect 134 stores in Massachusetts, 92 in Connecticut and 27 in Rhode Island.

Check out more Patch coverage of the strikes Brookline, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

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