- The Chicago Tribune reports that members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union believe that a Thanksgiving week strike against Safeway’s Dominick’s division in Chicago may be its last best hope of reaching a contract settlement with the company.
Things are not looking particularly hopeful right now, as Safeway’s negotiating team reportedly has left Chicago to return to California, leaving behind only its pledge that its last offer is indeed its last offer…and that if the union does not capitulate, management will close or sell the division.
The UFCW says it plans to hand out informational leaflets explaining its position to consumers and encouraging them not to shop at Dominick’s.
- Some analysts are saying that Safeway’s management mistakes at Dominick’s have made turning around the chain an expensive proposition, and that its current labor strife could be a “blessing in disguise,” giving it an excuse to unload the Chicago chain.
- As reported on MNB last week, among the companies interested in all or part of Dominick's are Schnucks, Supervalu, and Kroger.
