Stop & Shop union backs strike in 3 states
Talks authorized through Saturday
Despite voting to authorize a strike yesterday, Stop & Shop union workers gave their union leadership and management another week to reach a new labor contract.
While the company’s contracts with more than 40,000 employees expired Saturday, the five unions representing those workers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut agreed to resume negotiating tomorrow. Under the extension, no work stoppage could occur until after midnight Saturday.
Yesterday, union workers unanimously endorsed the strike authorization in the three New England states.
In Marlborough, 4,500 workers filled the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center to approve the possible action.
Jim Carvalho, a union representative for the 10,000 eastern Massachusetts Stop & Shop employees, said no strike date had been set.
Carvalho, a spokesman for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1445, said this week’s negotiations would be crucial in the talks, which have gone on for more than a month.
Depending on the progress of the discussions, Carvalho said the unions could agree to a further temporary extension or begin a strike after Saturday.
Stop & Shop spokeswoman Faith Weiner said that all 240 stores in the three states would remain open this week. As part of a strike contingency plan, Stop & Shop has placed help-wanted ads in newspapers. Weiner declined to discuss details of the negotiations.
“We’re disappointed that they took this action and remain committed to negotiating at the bargaining table to reach a positive conclusion,’’ said Weiner.
Carvalho said the strike vote occurred after company negotiators insisted that union workers increase contributions to their health insurance and pension plans. He said the company also has been unwilling to give annual wage increases and wants employees to accept bonuses instead. Carvalho would not say how much of a health premium increase the company sought.
“Our members are frustrated with the company’s negative approach to negotiations,’’ said Carvalho. “At a time when Stop & Shop profits are increasing, it’s disappointing to our members that they would ask them to pay more and not receive any wage increases.’’
The Quincy-based Stop & Shop is owned by 
