CALIFORNIA’S TEAMSTERS STRIKE AT SMART & FINAL AFTER COMMITTING NEARLY 100 VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL LABOR LAW

Over 600 workers are striking in the Smart & Final Distribution Centers in River bank And trade

LOS ANGELES, June 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Over 600 warehouse workers, represented by Teamsters Local 630, at two warehouses of Chedraui’s Smart & Final grocery stores in Southern California began an unfair labor strike today to protest against mass layoffs and other unfair labor practices.

Without these long-term, hard-working employees, Smart & Final could face massive supply chain disruptions during one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year. Yet Smart & Final refuses to comply with the law and continues to pursue its unlawful plan to lay off all of these employees and relocate their jobs to a new facility.

“The clock is ticking for Chedraui/Smart & Final to get things right,” said Lou VillalvazónSecretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 630. “The company continues to commit unfair labor practices with no regard for its workers. With the busy summer months approaching, the company is facing not only a moral crisis but a logistical crisis. They must act now to guarantee our members their jobs, fair wages, respect and a fair contract. We will not stand by and watch these workers be exploited.”

“Nobody wants to strike,” said Juan Fernandezwith Smart & Final for 24 years. “This is the last thing we ever wanted to do. But when our jobs, our families’ futures and our dignity are at stake, we have no choice. This is the only option Chedraui/Smart & Final gives us to protect our livelihoods from a company that seems to have forgotten who keeps it running.”

Teamsters fight Chedraui’s plans USAthe US subsidiary of the Mexican food giant Grupo Comercial Chedraui, is closing two unionized Smart & Final warehouses in trade And Riverside, California.and lay off the dedicated employees who have kept the Smart & Final brand profitable over the past decades. These employees are now forced to re-apply to $10 To 12 $ less per hour in a new warehouse in Rancho Cucamonga, California.

The Teamsters are currently pursuing a number of unfair labor practice claims before the National Labor Relations Board. Chedraui USA/Smart & Final is also accused of negotiating in bad faith and maintaining an illegal proposition in violation of California Assembly Bill (AB) 647, which was enacted January 2024 and guarantees workers in food distribution centers continued employment rights if there is a change of ownership in the facilities in which they work.

“We are not just numbers on the payroll, we are the backbone of Smart & Final,” said Daniel Delgadohas been with Smart & Final for 20 years. “It’s time for the company to see us as indispensable and not dispensable. We demand the dignity that comes with knowing that we have a job the next day and respect for a good collective agreement. We will not settle for anything less.”

The two warehouses on strike serve as distribution centers for over 250 Smart & Final grocery stores in California, Nevada, ArizonaAnd Northern Mexico.

Last year, over 600 dedicated employees worked in Smart & Final’s warehouses in trade And Riverside, Californiavoted successfully to join Teamsters Local 630, despite facing a fierce anti-union campaign by their management in both elections, which included the announcement of the closure of the company just over a week before the River bank Election to prevent workers from unionizing with the Teamsters.

This is the second strike by these workers because of unfair labor practices.

The strike coincides with a growing trend of unrest in the food trade, where major supermarket chains continue to make record profits due to rising food prices, often at the expense of workers and the public.

For more than 80 years, Teamsters Local 630 has represented California Workers in warehousing, grocery, liquor, food processing, dairy and other industries. For more information, visit teamsters630.org.

Contact:
Christian Castro(310) 857-9817
(email protected)

SOURCE Teamsters Local 630