Negotiation Updates

March 27th, 2022

Strike authorization does not mean a strike.
You should report to work according to your regular schedule.

We understand the union has received strike authorization from Southern California bargaining unit members attending and voting at union meetings.

We want to be sure you know what this means – it does not mean there will be a strike. It means that the union can call one, if they choose.  But even then, whether an associate goes on strike or crosses the picket line is up to you. It’s your individual choice.

At this point, the union has not called for a work stoppage. We hope they don’t and would expect the union to return to the table.

No one wins with a strike.

• Not our associates, who miss out on paychecks and potentially benefits.
• Not our customers, who don’t want to get involved in a conflict and may choose to shop at competitors – ironically non-union.
• Not our stores, which can lose business that may not return.
• And not the union, which could drive away its own members with such drastic actions that will create significant hardships.
• Does the union really believe that a strike that would harm the company financially will help get you a good contract? Harming the company hurts all associates, hurts our market, and impacts the many things that we do or are able to do in the business we are all connected to together.

Our goal is to reach an agreement that provides a solid and competitive package of wages and benefits for our associates but that is right for our business, too.  We need to stay competitive in a very challenging market to do that.

The company and union will resume negotiations starting March 30. We will share updates on what happens across the table as information becomes available.

As always, you can get up-to-date information on negotiations from your store manager or visit this website.

Back to Homepage