Unionized workers at Shaw’s Supermarket yesterday rejected what the company had called its “best and final offer,” setting the stage for a strike. But the Boston Globe reports that the union isn’t ready to walk off the job; instead, members will await the outcome of a new talks today called by a federal mediator.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 791 represents about 6,000 Shaw’s employees at 39 stores in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and a distribution center in Maine. The Globe reported that the vote was 1,214 to 197 against the company offer, followed by a unanimous voice vote at the distribution center.
Beyond Cash Donations: How New Forms of Giving Are Transforming Not-for-Profit Accounting
Evolving Funding Landscape for Not-for-Profits Not-for-profit organizations are being asked to do more with less,…
Learn More
A Shaw’s statement described the rejected offer as “very generous,” with a “very competitive wage package,” “affordable, quality health care,” and the ability to choose among different health plans. ”This proposal would ensure that Local 791 associates would remain among the best compensated in the industry in New England,” it said.
The offer seeks to control health costs, however, by encouraging workers to drop the union’s health plan and join one of three company plans. The company was also seeking to take managers and supervisors out of the union, among other measures.
Both sides said the federal mediator had called them yesterday and asked them to return to the bargaining table one more time.
The federal mediator A federal mediator called leaders of the yesterday — just as the last of the union’s members were deciding whether to approve or reject Shaw’s proposal — and asked them to return to the bargaining table.
