Arizona's Fry and Safeway supermarkets are bracing for a strike that is scheduled to take place Friday, beginning with a walkout at 6pm. Unions at both companies, a total of about 25,000 workers, began preparations yesterday - gathering resources to help striking members cope, and authorizing strike pay ($100 a week) for eligible employees. Some union members say that to strike now, as both chains struggle to get by, would be irresponsible, and have campaigned strongly against strike action. However, they may not have a choice. Fry and Safeway signed a lockout agreement Tuesday that would bar all union members from coming to work during a strike at either company.
See "Union, area supermarkets brace for strike to start this week", Max Jarman, The Arizona Republic, November 10, 2009