Grocery strike worries some union members

PHOENIX, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Leaders and some members of a supermarket workers union in Phoenix appear at odds over an impending strike.

The 25,000-member United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 99 has voted in September to approve the walkout, which is to begin at 6 p.m. Friday if an acceptable contract with Fry's and Safeway stores is not in hand, The Arizona Republic reported Wednesday.

The grocery chains have proposed union members pay more toward their healthcare plans, which union members have resisted.

At a union rally in Phoenix Tuesday evening, attendance was disappointing to union organizer Immy Arnel, the newspaper said. Further, members at the meeting were asked to endorse petitions calling for a vote on the companies' most recent proposals to avoid the strike of Fry's and Safeway stores.

"The economy sucks and our jobs are replaceable. This is not the right time to strike," said Jammie Nielson, who works at Fry's.