By Paul Supat

As the Collective Bargaining Agreement for UFCW Local 1167 expiration date of April 11, 2010 drew near, it was imperative to start the negotiation process as soon as possible. Little did we know that these negotiations would result in the second strike in FAIR’s 37 year history.

Preparations began in May 2009. FAIR met with the Office & Health and Welfare staff of UFCW Local 1167 to discuss some of the challenges that we were to face in the upcoming negotiations. In October 2009, a bargaining committee was established and together, we began to gather information to prepare FAIR’s proposals. The group met again in February 2010 to finalize our proposals. Negotiations started on March 22nd. At the end of the third day, UFCW 1167 elected not to schedule any further sessions and decided to give FAIR its last, best, and final offer.

On April 5th the office staff unanimously voted 15-0 to reject UFCW 1167’s offer. UFCW 1167 and Federal Mediation were notified of the rejection. On April 12th, FAIR met with the Federal Mediator and UFCW 1167 with the hope of reaching a peaceful resolution but were still not able to do so. Consequently, FAIR had to schedule another session on April 15th and on that day, at approximately 3:30 p.m., after all efforts to reach an amicable agreement had failed, FAIR members walked off the job and were officially on strike.

At that point, the strategy was to apply as much pressure as possible and we did by picketing the local and handbilling stores. The support that we received from FAIR’s Executive Board, FAIR members, and other Union members was tremendous and very encouraging.

After being out for one week, UFCW 1167 modified its last, best, and final offer and our members ratified an agreement. On Friday, April 23, 2010, FAIR members of Local 1167 returned to work with a new contract and their heads held high.