Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat from Connecticut, speaks to Wallingford Stop & Shop strikers. Photo by Peter DiNatale/The Choate News
On April 11, Stop & Shop workers throughout New England began striking against the corporation in hopes of forming a reasonable compromise concerning fair wages, health care, and pensions.
Kristy Palmer, an employee at the Wallingford Stop & Shop store, is currently organizing the Wallingford strike as the captain of the Wallingford strike team. At Stop & Shop, Ms. Palmer is the floral manager and, along with her co-workers, is disappointed with the company’s lack of healthcare benefits and pension wages, as well as the recent elimination of premium pay — increased wages for employees working during less desirable hours — for new workers.
Since Ms. Palmer, her strike team, and other workers began the strike by walking out of the store more than a week ago, they have been blocking the entrances of the store between five and nine hours every day. “Five local unions made the call Thursday at 1:00 p.m. to walk,” Ms. Palmer said. “In Wallingford’s store, we have two of those five unions.”
According to Ms. Palmer and her team, the day before the strike, Ahold Delhaize, the Dutch retail company that owns Stop & Shop, voted in favor of an 11% increase in stockholder dividends, a jump of $880 million. Many workers were upset that the company was giving more money to its stockholders rather than providing greater benefits for its employees.
A striker from the Wallingford Stop & Shop who identified himself only as Bob B. said, “The fact that this increase happens the day before we walk out is disappointing. Here they are crying about money. Why can’t we get a fifty-cent per hour raise, at the least?”
Since the strike began, some 31,000 workers throughout 240 Stop & Shop stores in New England have walked off their jobs. One Wallingford striker, who asked to be identified as Jennifer Q., said, “Everyone’s contributions and support to the union is so amazing. There are no words to express our appreciation.”
The only group of employees that remain inside of the store is management. The co-managers of the Wallingford branch declined to comment on any of the strikes, but according to the strikers, the managers disapprove of the workers’ actions.
The president of Stop & Shop, Mark McGowan, told the New York Times that the contract the union proposed was “unsustainable” and could potentially lead to higher prices for customers.
After the fifth day of striking, which arrived last Monday, Mr. McGowan sent an email to Stop & Shop customers apologizing for the inconvenience. “Stop & Shop recognizes the valuable role our associates play in creating a great experience for you, our customers,” Mr. McGowan wrote. “They are a part of your lives, a part of our community, and key to our success. That’s why it is so important to us to provide a fair contract to our employees who are members of the [United Food and Commercial Workers] unions currently on strike.”
In his email, Mr. McGowan claimed that Stop & Shop’s wages and benefits were “among the best for New England retail and supermarket associates. The contract offer is no exception.” He said that his company is committed to continue discussions until a fair, reasonable result is reached.
While the strikers are determined to come to an agreement with the company, they are not fighting alone. Wallingford citizens have shown strong support for the strikers. Ms. Palmer has been careful to thank the Wallingford residents who shop at the grocery store. “They have brought us water, donuts, pastries, and coffee,” she said. “They also all honk [in support] as they pass by.”
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat and the senior senator from Connecticut, visited the strikers in Wallingford this past Monday, to show support for the workers. He stood for an hour in solidarity with the employees, telling the workers, “Big corporations are doing whatever they can to take advantage of working men and women. If they are smart, they will do the right thing by you so the customers will come back. You’re doing the right thing for your families. The companies want you to lose heart, but the union is strong and you are strong.”
Sen. Blumenthal reached out to Mr. McGowan on April 15. According to the Record-Journal, Mr. McGowan told the senator that the company is awaiting the union’s next proposal, to which Sen. Blumenthal responded, “You need to do better.”
The strike has severely affected the business operations of Stop & Shop. Since Thursday, the parking lot of not only the Wallingford store but also many other locations across New England have been nearly vacant.
The strikers hope that the lack of business will pressure the company into succumbing to the demands of the employees. Ms Q. said, “The union presidents are talking with the company and they have made little progress, but as long as they are talking, it’s good. Judging by the parking lots, they better settle soon.”
The strikers have said that they will continue to march until the two groups come to a compromise. “It’s not the brick and mortar — it’s what’s inside the brick and mortar,” said Mr. B. “We are going to continue striking as long as it takes.”
