FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2023
Contact: Jessica Hayssen, 651-261-8559
Minneapolis, MN –Today, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 663, together representing more than 2500 grocery workers at Lunds & Byerlys across the west metro area announced an overwhelming membership vote that authorizes union members of the bargaining committee to call for Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strikes should it become necessary.
UFCW Local 663’s member bargaining committee released the following statement on the strike authorization vote passage:
“Today, our coworkers demonstrated the power that comes from standing together against company intimidation. Lunds & Byerlys has engaged in unfair labor practices meant to stop us from exercising our rights despite our tireless efforts to serve customers every day–throughout the pandemic and beyond.
As a bargaining committee, we know that the decision to call a strike is always a last resort, however, we refuse to continue to be bullied by our employer. A family owned, hometown hero such as Lunds & Byerlys should surely understand that this type of behavior has a negative impact on workers, customers and the communities we are proud to serve.
We look forward to meeting Lunds & Byerlys at the table on Monday to bargain in good faith for a contract that reflects the members hard work.”
Watch the video on YouTube here.
BACKGROUND:
On behalf of Lunds & Byerlys members, UFCW Local 663 has filed ULP charges against the company for coercive statements to employees who were exercising their rights to participate in protected concerted activity, interrogating employees about union activity, illegal surveillance of union activity, and bargaining in bad faith.
Workers have held informational pickets across the Twin Cities west metro area at the following stores: (Photos and videos linked in each location)
Members are taking the opportunity to thank customers in videos that are shared on social media during this time. In addition, customers are showing their support in customer support videos and members have provided a shopping guide.
United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 663 union members and have been working without a collective bargaining agreement since March 7.
In the latest round of contract negotiations, members are fighting for better wages, pay equity and to maintain worker-driven healthcare in order to build a better life at work and better serve the communities that rely on them. The next bargaining session between UFCW 663 members and employer Lunds & Byerlys is set for Monday, June 26. Members hope to come to a tentative agreement with the company soon.
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UFCW Local 663 represents more than 17,000 hard-working essential retail, meat packing and processing, food preparation and manufacturing, healthcare, and other workers in Minnesota. We strive to improve the lives of our members and of all working families by fighting for economic, political, and social justice in our workplaces and communities. UFCW Local 663 is part of the 1.3 million-member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.