Stop & Shop settles with strikers

Stop & Shop, an Ahold Delhaize company, has come to a tentative agreement of terms with five local unions (UFCW Locals 1445, 1459, 919, 371, and 328), which allowed Stop & Shop's 31,000 associates in New England to return to work on Monday.

The strikes had affected 246 of Stop & Shop's 415 stores and lasted 11 days, having started on April 11.

"I am pleased that Stop & Shop's management and the five local unions have tentatively reached a fair and responsible contract in which all Stop & Shop associates are offered pay increases, eligible associates have continued excellent health coverage and eligible associates have ongoing defined benefit pension benefits," said Frans Muller, CEO of Ahold Delhaize. "I know that both Stop & Shop management and its associates are proud to welcome customers back and look forward to taking care of them every day."

A previous three-year contract expired on Feb. 23, and workers had protested what they considered cuts in the new contract to health care, take-home pay and other benefits. Stop & Shop continued negotiations with the union throughout the strike, reported the New York Times.

The workers on strike included cashiers, stockers, bakers, deli clerks and butchers. Most full-time employees at Stop & Shop earn $21.30 an hour, said Jennifer Brogan, a spokeswoman for the chain, according to the report.

According to the report, Stop & Shop employees argued that the chain’s parent company, Ahold Delhaize, reported profits of more than $2 billion to its shareholders last year, and could afford to compensate workers better.