Smart & Final strike planned in Southern California as warehouse workers must reapply

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA – Workers at two Smart & Final warehouses in Southern California planned a strike on Thursday, despite the company saying there would be no disruptions at the national supermarket chain.

Hundreds of striking workers at two Smart & Final warehouses in Southern California – including one in Riverside County – planned to picket Thursday to protest alleged mass layoffs and other unfair labor practices, their union said.

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The workers are represented by Teamsters Local 630, which says the supermarket chain – owned by Commerce-based Chedraui USA – plans to close the unionized Smart & Final warehouses in Commerce and Riverside.

They added that workers would be forced to reapply for jobs at a new warehouse in Rancho Cucamonga where they would earn $10 to $12 less per hour.

“The clock is ticking for Chedraui/Smart & Final to get things right,” said Lou Villalvazo, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 630.

“The company continues to commit unfair labour practices with no regard for its workers. With the busy summer months approaching, the company is facing not only a moral crisis but also a logistical crisis. It must now guarantee our members their jobs, decent wages, respect and a fair contract. We will not stand by and watch these workers being exploited.”

The company released a statement on the Teamsters’ allegations, which it said were “simply not true.”

“We are currently integrating five outdated and overburdened facilities spanning 2,000 square miles. Our new facility will employ nearly 1,000 people and create hundreds more American jobs than exist today. This will significantly reduce our carbon footprint and allow us to continue providing affordable food to the California communities that need it most.”

“In addition, the claim that 600 workers are on strike is completely inaccurate. We are operating our distribution centers as usual and without major disruptions to continue to serve our customers who depend on us to feed their families.”

Pickets were planned for Thursday in front of the Smart & Final distribution center in Commerce.

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

City News Service, Patch Editor Ashley Ludwig.