Elizabeth Warren Rallies With Striking Stop & Shop Workers

SOMERVILLE, MA — Presidential contender Sen. Elizabeth Warren joined striking Stop & Shop workers in Somerville Friday. The Democrat was seen handing out pizza and doughnuts, posing for pictures and using a bullhorn to address the crowd on McGrath Highway.

"These giant companies think they can knock unions back," she said. "Unions are here to stay because when you're fighting for your family, you stay in the fight until you win."

Warren credited unions with being the foundation of the country's middle class, declaring, "unions will rebuild America's middle class."

Thousands of Stop & Shop workers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut remained on strike Friday, a day after walking out amid failed contract negotiations between their union and the company.

Sean Killiea, who works at the Brookline Stop & Shop, said employees are standing firm.

"We're just standing up saying enough's enough," Killiea told Patch's Jenna Fisher. "The end goal is just a fair contract. That's all we want we don't need anything extra. They're the number one corporation ... We just want what's fair."

The workers, represented by the United Food & Commercial Workers Locals 1445, 328, 371, 919 and 1459, walked off the job around 1:15 p.m. Thursday. Customers were asked to leave their groceries behind and leave the stores.

"Given that negotiations with assistance of the federal mediators are continuing, we are disappointed that the UFCW chose to order a work stoppage in an attempt to disrupt service at our stores," Stop & Shop said in a statement. "Stop & Shop has contingency plans in place to minimize disruption."

The walkouts affected 134 stores in Massachusetts, 92 in Connecticut and 27 in Rhode Island. A Stop & Shop spokesperson said in an email Friday the "majority" of its stores in Massachusetts will remain open. Banks and pharmacies will also be open even if the supermarket is closed; however, all gas stations will be closed.

The strike is reminiscent of a 2014 walkout by Market Basket workers who protested successfully against the ouster of CEO Arthur T. Demoulas, who vowed to protect wages and benefits.