(photo courtesy of Mike/Mozart/Flickr)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Unions representing thousands of Stop & Shop workers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have voted to authorize a strike if a contract dispute with the supermarket chain drags on.
The workers, members of Local 328 of the United Food and Commercial Workers' Union, voted unanimously in favor of the strike authorization Sunday in Foxboro.
At least three other locals also voted to authorize a strike.
The contract dispute centers on health insurance, pensions, and vacation time.
The union says Stop & Shop is looking to "degrade the quality of life" of workers.
The supermarket chain says it has offered proposals that "would ensure full-time associates continue to be among the highest-paid food retail workers in the region."
WBZ NewsRadio's Mike Macklin reports