In 2003, the largest and longest supermarket strike in U.S. history reshaped the Southern California grocery industry. Will history repeat itself?
Albertsons cashier Pamela Hill, shown Thursday outside her store on Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles, says she's ready to strike if supermarket and union leaders can't reach a new contract. Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times
The vote doesn’t necessarily mean a strike will happen. But if approved, it would enable the union to call a strike whenever it wants. That approval would send a message to the companies that a walkout is possible if the two sides can’t reach a deal. The employees are still working under a three-year contract that expired March 3.
Albertsons said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times that the strike vote is “premature and will cause our employees and customers undue concerns.” Mass merchants Walmart Inc., Costco Wholesale Corp. and Target Corp. now have sizable grocery sections. Discount chains Aldi and Grocery Outlet have opened stores in the region. Whole Foods Market — now owned by Amazon.com Inc. — is still an option, as are Trader Joe’s, Gelson’s Market, Sprouts and Stater Bros. Ethnic and organic markets fill the region too.
“If they’ve got an Albertsons around the corner, they probably shop there whether they like it or not,” he said. “As soon as it becomes inconvenient, they’ll go a mile or two to shop somewhere else.
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