Lunds & Byerlys Workers Reach Tentative Deal To Avoid Strike
The union representing workers at west metro Lunds & Byerlys grocery stores says it will avoid a strike before the Fourth of July holiday weekend after reaching a tentative deal with the company, a union spokesperson announced Tuesday morning.
Workers with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 663 had voted overwhelmingly to strike on Friday. A ratification voted is slated for Saturday, July 1.
According to the union, the tentative deal is expected to provide “significant” raises for both full-time and part-time workers by fall 2024. It also maintains health benefits.
“We won a lot of the raises and benefits that we’re fighting for,” said Sarah Dike, cheese specialist and union representative at the Maple Grove Lunds & Byerlys, in a statement to CCX News.
A strike would have impacted 22 Lunds & Byerlys stores across the Twin Cities, including the Golden Valley and Maple Grove locations. About 2,500 UFCW Local 663 workers had been planning to walk off the job Thursday morning and remain on strike through Saturday.
“Our members kept Minnesotans fed during the pandemic, even in the most uncertain of times,” said Rena Wong, president of UFCW Local 663. “The bargaining committee believes that this tentative agreement respects, protects and pays our members fairly.”
The union workers have been working without a contract since their last agreement expired March 7. Employees of the union had accused the company of unfair labor practices, including alleged illegal surveillance and interrogation of employees about union activity.
CCX News reached out to company officials with Lunds & Byerlys for comment.
UFCW Local 663 also represents workers at many Cub stores throughout the Twin Cities. Those union workers had planned to strike before the Easter holiday until an 11th-hour agreement was reached.
A union representative for Lunds & Byerlys workers says the tentative deal “secures worker-driven healthcare.”
