Thousands of California grocery workers went on strike on Sunday. The 7,500 workers are striking over a new contract. The company imposed terms after 15 months of negotiations. Workers say that they are not asking for anything new, just to keep the wages and benefits that they have now. As workers picketed outside, many customers said that they would stay away while the strike continued. The company says that it needs to cut costs due to competition from non-union chain stores. The contract imposed by the company will freeze pay and eliminate some premiums. The union says that the company has bargained in bad faith. Both sides said that they were interested in ending the strike.
See "Raley's and Nob Hill workers go on strike over benefits; grocery customers stay away", Sharon Noguchi, San Jose Mercury News, November 4, 2012