Voornaam,

They've had our backs. We have theirs. 

Since the beginning of the COVID crisis, local workers in our food supply chain have continued to show up for work in order to ensure that our families can put food on our tables. From farmworkers to food processors to supermarket employees, these essential workers have braved dangerous — and sometimes deadly — conditions. The pandemic has highlighted both the importance of grocery workers to our communities as well as the struggles they endure to make ends meet.

Throughout this time period, supermarkets and other retailers have posted record profits. Shareholders have reveled in record dividends and stock buybacks. But since July 2021, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 (UFCW 555 — the union representing Oregon and southwest Washington grocery workers) has been in negotiations for a new contract for Fred Meyer and QFC employees. These employers refuse to acknowledge that their worker's wages are not keeping up with the cost of living, leaving them and their families at risk while providing food for our community.

Now, Fred Meyer and QFC (both Kroger stores) have violated multiple portions of the grocery workers' contract, refusing to follow the grievance procedure and withholding information necessary to negotiate a new agreement. These employers' failure to follow the National Labor Relations Act has left grocery workers no choice but to take action, starting with a recent Unfair Labor Practice Strike Authorization Vote that passed overwhelmingly.  

Now, unless Kroger addresses these concerns, workers are planning on going on strike beginning this Friday, December 17th.

As Democrats, one of our watchwords is solidarity. Solidarity with our neighbors, our fellow Oregonians, people with different backgrounds and beliefs, and in this case with the workers who we rely upon for our food and other necessities. Here's how you can help support UFCW Local 555 members and the labor movement generally during this time:

1. Don't cross a picket line! Not every supermarket will be striking, so there will be plenty of opportunities to shop for what you need without crossing a strike or picket line.
2. Don't pay people to cross the line for you! Using an app or other service to have groceries delivered from a striking store is the same as crossing the picket line.
3. Be visible in your support! Tell your friends, family, and go to ufcw555.org/supportcard. 

And in solidarity, do not patronize other Fred Meyers stores during the strike until the matter is resolved positively.

Thank you all for your continued support of working people.

Solidarity Matters,

KC Hanson
Chair
Democratic Party of Oregon
 

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