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Santa Monica Rite Aid Workers Asked To Authorize Strike, Reject Contract

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Rite Aid workers at 1331 Wilshire Boulevard are being asked by their union to authorize a strike over their employer's latest contract proposal.

Posted Jul. 26, 2012, 4:54 am

Mirror Staff

Santa Monica Rite Aid workers were today urged by United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union Local 1442 to authorize union leaders to call a strike following their employer’s latest contract proposal.

Union leaders said Rite Aid is seeking 34 concessions in its next contract with UFCW Locals 8, 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428, and 1442 (Santa Monica, Westwood, El Segundo, and South Bay).

Among the takeaways are effective elimination of health care for workers’ spouses and children as well as out-of-pocket costs for health care benefits of up to $10,000 a year, according to union leaders.

“A strong vote against the proposals will give union leaders authority to call a strike if a labor action becomes necessary to negotiate a fair contract with Rite Aid,” a United Food and Commercial Workers statement said.

Between today, July 26, and Monday, July 30, the union members from across California will gather at dozens of locations between Kern County and the Mexican border to learn about Rite Aid’s proposals, which include devastating cuts in health care benefits and other demands for takeaways.

The members will then vote on whether to accept or reject the proposals.

Rite Aid’s Santa Monica locations are at 2412 Pico Boulevard, 1331 Wilshire Boulevard, and 1808 Wilshire Boulevard.