Ralphs picket ends, lock-out kept up

Deepa Bharath Marisa O’Neil

Ralphs supermarket will continue to lock out its employees despite

the union’s announcement on Friday that it would pull pickets from

all Ralphs stores, a spokesman for the chain said.

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union,

representing 70,000 striking grocery store clerks, wants to thank

consumers who supported the strike and to make things easier for

shoppers after the disruptions from this week’s raging wildfires,

union spokeswoman Ellen Anreder said.

“This is a gesture of gratitude from us to our customers who have

shown unbelievable loyalty by not crossing picket lines,” she said.

But the fires and the length of the strike are going to make it

harder for customers to maintain that loyalty, Anreder said.

The strike began Oct. 11 against Vons stores, prompting the other

chains to lock out their union employees. Clerks at all three chains

have been protesting.

About 70,000 employees represented by the union are on strike or

being locked out. A key issue in the dispute is a demand by the

supermarket companies that the employees contribute more to cover

their health care costs.

Albertsons and Vons -- not Ralphs -- are causing the real problems

with contract negotiations, Anreder said.

“We believe that if we had to negotiate only with Ralphs, this

strike would be over by now,” she said.

Friday’s move by the union is merely a tactic to divide the three

chains that have been bargaining as one unit, said Terry O’Neil,

spokesman for Ralphs.

“The employers remain united in our belief that we have made a

very good contract offer, which includes some of the best health

benefits in the country for our current employees,” he said. “This is

an attempt by the union to divert the attention from the real

issues.”

O’Neil said the chains are well-prepared to handle the long

strike.

“Our contingency plans did take into account a lengthy labor

dispute,” he said.

Pickets left Ralphs on East 17th Street at about noon Friday, and

less than an hour later, the lot was about two-thirds full, with more

customers arriving.

A few customers said they had heard about the union’s decision in

the news, and a few others said they were shopping anyway.

Costa Mesa resident Debon Haskell said she was happy to see the

pickets gone.

“I’m not their biggest supporter,” she said. “My husband is a

fireman, and we pay through the nose for health care.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@ latimes.com.

MARISA O’NEIL covers education. She may be reached at (949) 574-4268

or by e-mail at marisa.oneil@ latimes.com.