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- Aug 4, 2009
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SIERRA VISTA Thousands of workers in the state are set to strike tonight if a deal is not reached between union leaders and two grocery chains.
If an agreement between Safeway Inc., Frys owner Kroger Co. and the United Food Commercial Workers Union Local 99 is not reached by 6 p.m., about 25,000 union members in the state could walk out.
Frys and Safeway, which together employ more than 400 people in Cochise County, have hired thousands of temporary workers in preparation for a strike.
Striking union members would receive $100 a week, said Jim McLaughlin, president of the union.
In September, union members rejected the most recent offer from the employers and voted to authorize its leadership to call a strike if their demands, which include health care coverage without premiums, are not met.
The offer by the two companies would see employees pay up to $15 a week for coverage.
The employers want to shift more health care costs onto the workers by forcing them to pay new premium fees in addition to the co-pays, deductibles and other costs they already pay, union spokes woman Ellen Anreder said in a statement earlier this week.
Showdown looming for union, two grocers | The Sierra Vista Herald
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Why is it that people assume that their health insurance is their EMPLOYER'S responsibility rather than THEIR OWN responsibility? Why shouldn't employers be required to provide all personal insurance? Auto insurance.. homeowners insurance..renters insurance or life insurance. Are employers the new parents once you leave your Mama and Daddy's house?
I agree.. Why should we rely on our employers to choose which healthcare is best for us? They should be in the business of making money like in other countries. Healthcare used to be a low cost benefit for employers. Now it is driving them to bankruptcy
This is why we need the government to step in and fill the employers role. It is how every other industrialized country has resolved the problem