Kern, Inyo and Mono Counties Labor Council Backs Southern California Grocery Workers
CLC and 24 affiliated unions will support UFCW if strike occurs
(June 7, 2011) Bakersfield - Southern California's grocery workers received a boost today when the Kern, Inyo and Mono Counties Central Labor Council pledged its full support in the event of a strike against the Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons supermarket chains.
The CLC is the umbrella organization of 24 labor unions in the three counties. One of those unions, UFCW 8-Golden State, is among seven UFCW local unions in Southern California that have been negotiating with the chains since March.
"The 62,000 union grocery workers in Southern California deserve our unequivocal support in their quest for a contract that protects their health care and pensions," CLC President Donny Williams said.
"The supermarket companies are making strong profits and have a responsibility to take care of the workers who make those profits possible."
In 2003 and 2004, UFCW members in Southern California held the line in a 141-day labor dispute that caused the employers an estimated $2 billion in losses.
"Nobody wants another labor dispute, but if that is what it required for the workers to get a fair and equitable contract, they will have our full backing," Williams said.
With headquarters in Bakersfield the Kern, Inyo, and Mono Central Labor Council includes the California Federation of Teachers, the California Nurses Association, CSEA Chapter 48, CWA Local 9416, Engineers & Scientists of California, GCIU Local 404M, Heat & Frost Insulators #5, IBEW Local 1245, IBEW Local 428, IBEW Local 47, the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, Iron Workers 155, the KIMC Building Trades Council, Operating Engineers Local 12, Operating Engineers Local 501, Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 460, Roofers Local 27, SEIU Local 521, SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West, UFCW 8 Golden State and United Domestic Workers of America.
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