Grocery warehouse workers on strike

On March 18 nearly 200 members and supporters of striking United Food and Commercial Workers Local 791 picketed and held the line outside Shaw’s Supermarket in Dorchester, Mass., in solidarity with 310 women and men workers from the warehouse distribution center in Methuen, Mass. The warehouse distributes most of the perishable foods such as meat, fruits, dairy and vegetables to 194 Shaw’s and Star Market supermarkets across New England.

Workers voted on March 7 to strike to fight what they termed “substandard” wage increases and skyrocketing costs of health care insurance. UFCW Local 791 represents approximately 5,500 members in 36 Shaw’s Supermarkets in Massachusetts and Rhode Island as well as distribution centers in Methuen and Wells, Maine.

Shaw’s belongs to a supermarket chain that is part of Supervalu, a company that also owns Jewel-Osco Brands and Albertsons. Supervalu’s CEO, Jeffrey Noddle, receives an annual total compensation of $3.55 million, according to Forbes.com.

A fund has been established for the workers affected by the strike. Contributions payable to “UFCW Local 791 Methuen D.C. Strike Fund” can be mailed to UFCW Local 791, 55 Norfolk Ave., South Easton, MA 02375.