'This was a win': Fred Meyer workers wrap up week-long strike in Portland metro area

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Fred Meyer workers at 28 stores across Portland wrapped up their week-long strike Tuesday morning without a new labor contract.

The strike involving at least 4,500 employees began Wednesday, Aug. 28 and lasted until 8 a.m. Tuesday in protest of what their union, UFCW Local 555, alleged to be unfair labor practices.

“This was a win for our membership,” union spokesperson Miles Eshaia said. “Fred Meyer was held accountable, and the company now understands just how many of its workers are committed to change. This strike demonstrated the incredible strength of our union members who stood together for better treatment in the workplace.”

Negotiations between the union and Fred Meyer continued over the course of the strike, but employees returned to work Wednesday without a settlement Tuesday morning. UFCW Local 555 said it continues to seek a contract that “ensures fair wages, secures health and welfare, and strengthens retirement benefits for all workers.”

Union members claim Fred Meyer has refused to provide “essential information for current negotiations,” which led the union to file a formal charge against the company on Aug. 20. Workers then announced their plans to go on strike Tuesday, Aug. 27.

“Our members are united in demanding fair treatment, which can only be reached if Fred Meyer actually stands behind its public statements and is willing to fulfill all their obligations and legal requirements,” UFCW Local 555 President Dan Clay said in a statement last week.

The strike coincided with Kroger’s defense of a national merger with its leading supermarket competitor, Albertsons, at a federal court in downtown Portland that is expected to continue for several weeks.

The FTC and some states, including Oregon, argue that the Kroger-Albertsons merger would lead to higher consumer prices, while Kroger claims it would allow them to compete better with major retailers like Walmart.

KOIN 6 News reached out to Fred Meyer for comment. In response, they sent the following statement from President Todd Kammeyer:

“Fred Meyer and Kroger respects our associates’ right to collectively bargain. The company believes associates should have a voice in choosing what is right for them and their families because the bargaining process ultimately impacts their paychecks. From the beginning it has always been our goal to put more money in our associates’ pockets.

“While the company supports our associates’ decision, Fred Meyer will remain open to serve the Portland community with access to fresh food, essentials, and pharmacy services.

“Protecting our associates’ right to collectively bargain is why it is so important to secure the future of unionized grocery stores in America, and that is exactly what Kroger’s proposed merger with Albertsons will do.

“If the merger is blocked the only winners will be non-union food retailers such as Walmart, Costco and Amazon.”

The union and grocery chain are expected to return to the bargaining table on Sept. 11 and 12. Until then, the union asks the community to not shop at Fred Meyer “until a fair agreement is reached."

“The fight for a fair contract is not over,” UFCW Local 555 President Dan Clay said. “The community stood with us through the ULP strike and we know they will do the same until Fred Meyer delivers a contract that lets its employees thrive in the cities where they work. The ULP strike was just the beginning of our members' campaign for a better life.”

Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue to follow this story.