Answering Your Questions About a Strike

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As you know, UFCW 555 received strike authorization from its membership. We do not know if they will call for a strike, we hope they do not.  We want you to know your rights and options should the union call for a strike.

You should continue to report to work as usual – unless the union calls a strike. If the union calls for a strike, you may choose to continue to work. If the union does not call for a strike, you should continue to work. Walking off the job without a union sanctioned, official strike will subject you to discipline.

What Happens If There is a Strike?
You may continue to work during a strike. The decision is yours to make. You should make the decision that is right for you without interference or pressure from the union or the company.  You should keep the following in mind:

• If you decide to work during a strike and cross the picket line, the local union could impose a fine.
• You can avoid union fines by effectively resigning from the union before crossing the picket line.
• To do this, you need to deliver to the union your resignation.
• A resignation is effective when the resignation letter is hand delivered to a union business agent or faxed or mailed to the union office. It becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. on the date after the postmark or delivery.
• Associates who resign from the union will not be eligible to vote on the contract.
• A decision to resign or not has no effect on your right to remain an associate during and after the strike.
• If an associate withdraws from membership in the union, it will not affect pension, seniority, paid time off, health and welfare benefits and other benefits offered by the company.
• Resigning from the union does not automatically terminate your obligation to pay dues. Your dues check-off authorization card should be reviewed for the steps needed to stop paying dues. The union has a copy of these dues check-off sheets. If you want to see it, you should request a copy of it from the union by certified letter. If the union does not respond to this request, you can contact the National Labor Relations Board to lodge a complaint.
• The union cannot bar you from later employment with any employer because you have crossed any picket line. Call the National Labor Relations Board immediately or tell us if you hear such a threat.
• If you have any questions about your right to work or to strike, please call the National Labor Relations Board at 1-844-762-NLRB (1-844-762-6572).

What happens if I decide to strike?
If there is a union-sanctioned strike, associates who decide to strike will not be disciplined or discharged for that decision.  It is your legal right to choose to strike and not work if there is a strike.

Here are factors to consider:

• Associates who go on strike will not receive pay from the company.
• Under Oregon state law, unemployment benefits are not paid to striking workers.
• Depending on the length of a strike, your health care coverage and pension contributions could be affected as healthcare has an hours worked eligibility requirement and pension contributions are tied to hours worked.

What should I do if I am not a member of the bargaining unit?

• If you are not covered under the collective bargaining agreement and there is a strike, you should report to work. We are working on a strike contingency plan and will need your help once we have the plan in place. We will update you if and when a strike occurs and as the situation progresses.

How to Get Information from the Company During a Strike

• For associates who continue to report to work, we will provide you updates and information through your store manager and in regular postings on store bulletin boards. We will also provide regular information on com.
• For associates who decide to strike you can access information from home on com or FEED.