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Arrests
at California strike rallies while intensive negotiations between
UFCW locals and retailers continue
Negotiations to end the supermarket workers' strike and lockout in Southern California continued into the weekend. No statements were made on their progress, as requested by the government mediator, but local press comments expressed some optimism as the efforts to solve the conflict went into its 12th consecutive day on Sunday. The share prices of Safeway, Kroger and Albertsons went up last week by between 1 and 3 per cent, reacting to expectations that a solution that could end the strike could be found soon. In a message from UFCW Local 135 in San Diego to the striking members, the local's president Mickey Kasparian said that the union negotiators are doing everything they can to make it possible that "you can go back to work and feel good about the contract that you have fought for". He added that "obviously, preserving your pension and your health benefits are a priority to us." Workers and supporters were arrested at rallies More than 40 striking supermarket workers and supporters were arrested on Friday when they blocked the entry to Vons and Pavilion stores. They included Cristina Chavez, the granddaughter of Cesar Chavez who built up the farm workers union in California, and state Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg of Los Angeles. After being charged for trespassing, blocking an entrance or failing to disperse, they were released. These incidents come as the UFCW supermarket workers' strike gather ever more support from people and communities. Among those participating in the Friday manifestations was actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who said that she wanted to show her son what was going on, to be where the fight was, not only honking her car horn in support for the pickets when passing by on the streets.
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