Nov. 7, 2009 (United Press International) -- Two supermarket chains in Arizona are preparing for a possible strike by advertising for temporary employees.
Fry's Food Stores, a subsidiary of Kroger (NYSE:KR) , began running ads Saturday, The Arizona Republic reported. Safeway (NYSE:SWY) Arizona plans to do the same next week, a spokeswoman said.
A one-year extension of a contract that expired in 2008 ended Oct. 31. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 99, which represents most of the stores' hourly workers at both chains, has set a strike deadline for 6 p.m. next Friday.
Jim McLaughlin, the head of the union, said his members make between $7.05 and $12.05 an hour.
"Some of our members haven't had a raise in six years," McLaughlin said.
A critical issue is a company demand that union members make contributions to their health plan. McLaughlin said they effectively do so now because of their low wages.
