Fry's, Safeway Prepping For Possible Strike

PHOENIX (AP) — In less than a week, unionized workers at two Arizona grocery store chains may be walking a picket line instead of stocking shelves and cutting meat.

Fry's Food Stores has begun advertising for thousands of temporary workers in the event its estimated 13,000 hourly workers strike.

Fry's recruitment ads began running Saturday and offer a starting wage of $9.50 per hour. Safeway spokeswoman Cathy Kloos said the chain is preparing to do the same.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 99 has threatened to call a strike if the companies and the union fail to reach a contract deal by 6 p.m. Friday.

The union represents most hourly workers at the two grocery chains, including clerks, stockers, meat cutters, produce workers and baggers.

The workers typically make between $7.20 and $12.05 per hour and can expect to receive $100 per week in strike pay if they walk out.

Health care benefits are the main issue between the chains and the union.