Fred Meyer employees begin week-long strike

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — At least 45,000 workers at 28 Fred Meyer stores across Portland are now on strike due to what they allege to be unfair labor practices.

The strike began at 6:00 a.m. Wednesday and is expected to last until Tuesday, Sept. 3. KOIN 6 News visited three of the stores impacted by the strike on Wednesday and found fairly empty parking lots, posted hiring signs, and several honks in solidarity.

“If you see that line at one of our 28 Fred Meyers in the Portland metro area, don’t cross it,”  Miles Eshaia with Local UFCW Local 555 said. “Just shop somewhere else.”

Union members claim Fred Meyer has refused to provide “essential information for current negotiations,” leading to the union filing a formal charge against the company on Aug. 20.

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“Our members are united in demanding fair treatment, which can only be reached if Fred Meyer actually stands behind its public statements and is willing to fulfill all their obligations and legal requirements,” UFCW Local 555 President Dan Clay said. “Our membership came out in overwhelming support of this action and the community has our back.”

In a statement from Fred Meyer, the company said they respect their associate’s right to bargain and they shared that the Kroger and Albertsons merger would help ensure a future for unionized grocery stores.

“Protecting our associates’ right to collectively bargain is why it is so important to secure the future of unionized grocery stores in America, and that is exactly what Kroger’s proposed merger with Albertsons will do.”

“I’ll be out on the picket lines at the Hollywood Fred Meyer store, to show the workers, and I stand with them to ensure that they have fair living wages, good benefits, and that they’re treated with the respect and dignity they deserve,” Oregon Sen. Elizabeth Steiner said.

In a statement issued Tuesday night, Fred Meyer said stores would remain open “to serve the Portland community with access to fresh food, essentials, and pharmacy services” during the strike.

Fred Meyer said it is one of the largest union employers in Oregon, paying about $142 million in wages last year and proposing an additional $37 million in wages over the next three-year agreement.

The company also said it is offering the union a 17% pay raise over the next three years — including an 8% bump in the first year of the contract. That’s a $3.50 hourly raise over the course of the contract.

However, negotiations are ongoing with session scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

Eshaia shared an audio recording with KOIN 6 News of what appears to be Fred Meyer Division President Todd Kammeyer promising increased retirement investments. This recording can be heard in the video player above.

“But no retirement proposals have been made so far,” Eshaia said. “So, that’s called direct healing. It’s not something the employer is allowed to do.”

Fred Meyer did not immediately confirm the authenticity of the audio call.

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden also reacted to the strike on X (formerly known as Twitter) saying that he stands in solidarity with the striking employees.

“I love a Freddie’s rotisserie chicken as much as the next guy, but not even that’s worth crossing the picket line for. I stand in solidarity with the workers striking today for better working conditions,” Wyden said.

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