ALBERTSONS NAMED IN UNION ACTION SUPERMARKET DENIES WORKERS' CLAIMS OF INTIMIDATION.

Byline: JULIA M. SCOTT

Staff Writer

In three complaints, grocery union officials allege Albertsons intimidated and interrogated employees before a strike authorization vote, a violation of the National Labor Relations Act.

The chain denies any wrongdoing.

"Every action that we have taken throughout the negotiations themselves have been completely lawful acts," said Albertsons spokeswoman Stephanie Martin.

The United Food and Commercial Workers union and Southern California grocery chains, including Vons and Ralphs, have been trying to hammer out a new three-year contract since March 5, when the old contract was extended.

Union members voted Sunday to authorize a strike against Albertsons, giving union leaders the power to call for a walkout. The chain employs 22,000 union members at 249 Albertsons across Southern California.

The last round of negotiations three years ago resulted in a 139-day strike against the supermarket chains, one of the nation's longest such job actions. The chains lost an estimated $2 billion.

Albertsons' parent company, Supervalu, is in a weaker position than Vons or Ralphs, having bought out Albertsons last year and taken on about $7.7 billion in debt.

The union filed the complaints Tuesday with the National Labor Relations Board in Los Angeles.

The complaints allege the employers "interrogated employees about how they intended to vote," held "captive audience meetings" during which employers suggested ways to disrupt the strike vote, and sent home early an employee who was participating in bargaining.

"Their attempts to intimidate and bully union members are unacceptable," said Mike Shimpock, a spokesman hired by the unions.

"We intend to pursue every possible avenue to guarantee the integrity of future elections and prevent these anti-democratic attacks by the employers," he said.

However, Martin said the employers merely passed out informational fliers and invited employees to watch a video urging them to be informed about the strike vote.

When a complaint is filed, the board investigates the claim and can either dismiss it or decide the law has been violated and broker a settlement.

Congress passed the National Labor Relations Act in 1935 to guide interactions between unions and private employers. It gives employees the right to form unions and bargain collectively if they choose.

Separately, members of the Teamsters union began passing out fliers at seven Albertsons stores, including two in Glendale.

The fliers warn shoppers of an "impending labor dispute," according to Barbara Maynard, a spokeswoman for United Food and Commercial Workers union Local 770.

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