Raley's, Nob Hill grocery workers (California) go out on strike
Source: Sacramento Bee
Raley's went on strike today after three days of marathon negotiations failed to produce a new contract.
Leaders of the United Food and Commercial Workers told their members to head to the picket lines at 6 a.m., when most Raley's and Nob Hill Foods stores across Northern California were set to open.
... UFCW officials said health insurance remained the main sticking point. The company was proposing changes to the plan, including elimination of coverage for Medicare-eligible retirees.
... Raley's says the strike is its first in its 77-year history. The company had set a midnight Saturday deadline for reaching a deal. The talks went on another two hours, and then broke off. Raley's then unilaterally implemented many of the terms of its "last and final" contract offer. The basic wage rate stays the same, but there will be a 2-year pay freeze and the elimination of bonus pay for working Sundays. Holiday bonus pay is scaled back.
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/04/4960104/raleys-workers-go-out-on-strike.html