Colette Sims, a Washington University student and Schnucks employee, joined 10,000 other Schnucks, Dierbergs, and Shop ‘n Save employees yesterday in a strike against the three grocery companies.

Almost three-fourths of union members voted to go on strike in protest against a proposed four-year contract. According to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article, this contract would have given many workers a 75-cent-per-hour raise and a 20-cent-per-hour bonus to all workers over the next three years if it was ratified.

In return, however, workers would be required to pay a higher percentage of their medical costs. Further, the contract would no longer provide coverage for spouses of employees who receive coverage from their own jobs.

According to the companies’ executives, the workers needed to incur these costs so that the stores could remain competitive with non-union companies such as Wal-Mart and Costco.

The conflict regarding the contract caused the chains to advertise for temporary workers in anticipation of a possible strike. These temporary workers were offered a higher wage, further inciting the unions.

Ultimately, the contract was rejected.

“Our members have spoken loudly and clearly that they’re not satisfied,” said Bob Kelley, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655, in the Post-Dispatch article.

The stores’ decision to remain open during the strike has left shoppers with the choice of whether or not to cross picket lines for their groceries. There will be pickets in front of 21 Shop ‘n Save stores, as well as possibly in front of 57 Schnucks stores and 19 Dierbergs stores. These stores have announced that they will remain open throughout the strike, with no plans to cut their hours. Temporary workers will fill in for those employees who are on strike.

The strike is the first for the Local 655 union members in 25 years. It is also the first strike of the United Food and Commercial Workers union this year.

Union members are encouraging customers to buy their groceries at one of the other 30 unionized supermarkets in the St. Louis area. Union members will be passing out pamphlets with alternative shopping locations in front of the picket lines.

Many University students shop for groceries at the Schnucks located near the corner of Clayton and Big Bend, as it is within walking distance from campus.

Sophomore Kate Rechner said that she will probably still go to Schnucks for her groceries, though she was hesitant about doing so.

“It’s closer if you’re running out of time,” said Rechner. “I would go somewhere else if there was more time.”

Though he only goes to Schnucks occasionally, sophomore David Barrett said that he would try to go to another grocery store during the strike.

“Out of principle, I would [go to another store],” said Barrett. “If I had other options I would go there, because Schnucks should pay their workers more.”

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