GROCERY WORKERS FILE CHARGES AGAINST ALBERTSONS FOR INTIMIDATION, INTERROGATION AND SURVEILLENCE DURING STRIKE VOTE

Managements' Conduct Leading Up To Vote Violated Federal Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              

28 March 2007                        

Last night, attorneys for the Southern California Grocery Workers Union formally filed documents detailing Albertsons' violation of federal labor law with the National Labor Relations Board.

Last week, in the lead-up to a union vote authorizing a strike, Albertsons management forced employees to watch anti-union videos urging a “no” vote on the strike, sent home union activists to prevent them from speaking with fellow workers, kept records of employee preferences on the strike vote and directly queried workers on their vote intentions - all violations of the National Labor Relations Act.

Billy Gonzalez, a produce clerk at Albertsons, and one of the employees mentioned in the complaint, said "We have to stand up to Albertsons and any employer that tries to intimidate or bully their employees. Employers must act within the law and treat their employees with respect. I know they can't bully me, but I want to stand up for every employee to make sure that they don't ever have to experience this."

“Our vote is a democratic process, and while Albertsons' attempts to corrupt it were unsuccessful, we must hold them accountable for violating our rights,” said Mike Shimpock, spokesperson for the Southern California Grocery Workers.  “Their attempts to intimidate and bully union members are unacceptable.  We intend to pursue every possible avenue to guarantee the integrity of future elections and prevent these anti-democratic attacks by the employers.”

The strike authorization vote for Albertsons would give union leaders the ability to call a strike against Albertsons if negotiations reach an impasse.  The vote, which required at least 66% support, passed overwhelmingly.   Over 11,000 Albertsons members voted.

“Our members are united in demanding a fair contract.  The last thing we want is a strike.  But this vote is one of the few ways for us to force the employers to bargain seriously with us,” Shimpock said.