Smart & Final SoCal Strike Planned As Warehouse Workers 'Must Reapply'

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA—Workers at two Smart & Final warehouses in Southern California planned to go on strike Thursday even as the company declared there would be no disruption at the national grocery store chain.

Hundreds of striking workers at two Smart & Final warehouses in Southern California—including one in Riverside County — planned to walk picket lines Thursday, their union said, protesting what they call mass layoffs and other alleged unfair labor practices.

The workers are represented by Teamsters Local 630, which says the grocery store chain -- owned by Commerce-based Chedraui USA —plans to close unionized Smart & Final warehouses in Commerce and Riverside.

They added that workers are being forced to reapply for employment at $10 to $12 less per hour at a new warehouse in Rancho Cucamonga.

"The clock is ticking for Chedraui/Smart & Final to make things right," Teamsters Local 630 Secretary-Treasurer Lou Villalvazo said.

"The company is continuing to commit unfair labor practices without any regard for its workers. With the busy summer months approaching, the company faces not just a moral but a logistical crisis. They must now guarantee our members their jobs, decent wages, respect and a fair contract. We will not stand by and watch these workers be exploited."

The company released a statement on the Teamsters' claims that they say is "simply not true."

"We are currently integrating five outdated and capacity-strained facilities spread across 2,000 square miles. Our new facility will employ nearly 1,000 people, creating hundreds more American jobs than exist today. This will substantially reduce our carbon footprint and enable us to continue providing affordable food to communities in California that need it the most.

"Additionally, the claim of 600 workers striking is wildly inaccurate. We are operating our distribution centers as usual with no major disruptions in order to continue to serve our customers who rely on us to feed their families."

Picket lines were planned for Thursday at Smart & Final's Distribution Center in Commerce.

The two warehouses on strike serve as distribution centers for over 250 Smart & Final grocery stores in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Northern Mexico.

City News Service, Patch Editor Ashley Ludwig.