Delegates Bill Elder & Doug Saint

Martel Fraser of UFCW Local 770 holds a press conference at Ralph’s Market on Victoria in Ventura.

Part of which she told the reporters is that the corporations that own Ralph’s, Von’s and Albertson’s want their employees to pay more for their healthcare–as much as 50% more of their current take home pay.

What these corporations aren’t telling you is that they are actually paying less than they were a decade ago–as much as 25% less–for employee health care.  With escalating health care costs, how are these highly profitable corporations paying less?   Because their employees have been picking up the tab, with higher premiums and higher deductibles.

The corporations, meanwhile have been recording huge profits, more than $5 billion last year. Despite that they want their employees who average $25, 000 a year to pay as much as $7,000 a year to maintain their current healthcare.

These increases force many of these employees to cancel their health care plans and use public services for medical issues.  So instead of the Chain Stores paying there fair share, you and I the taxpayer get to subsidize them.

The Teamsters will be supporting the UFCW if they are forced to strike and we need your support.