Union authorizes strike at Shaw’s Supermarkets

WEST BRIDGEWATER — Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 791
have voted to authorize a strike against Shaw’s Supermarkets if negotiators are
unable to reach a contract settlement before the current contract concludes on
July 27, the Associated Press reported. Local 791 includes Shaw’s employees in
Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island. The union represents about 7,000 of Shaw’s
30,000 employees. The company owns and operates about 180 stores. A company spokesman
said the company was willing to extend negotiations beyond the July 27 deadline.
A union spokesman said “forced overtime,” wages, health care and job security
were among the issues still outstanding. Shaw’s recently announced plans to close
its West Bridgewater distribution center and lay off about 400 employees in order
to modernize its system.