The largest retailer-owned co-op based in New England, Associated Grocers of New England (AGNE), has a backup strategy ready to supply its retail partners while Teamsters staff at its Pembroke, New Hampshire, warehouse strike, the organization announced.
The wholesaler issued a statement on behalf of Mike Violette, its president and CEO, expressing his frustration that talks had stalled.
“AGNE leaders remain at the table and hope for a resolution to this contract dispute,” he said in the statement. “We recognize the Thanksgiving holidays are quickly approaching, which is a busy time of year for AGNE and its employees. However, AGNE has a contingency in place to ensure that we move into the holiday season with certainty of service to meet the expectations and needs of our customers, our vendors and our stores.”
The company refused to discuss the specifics of the contingency plan or provide details regarding when negotiations might resume.
Workers Seek Pension Improvements
As previously reported, over 255 warehouse employees, drivers, and maintenance staff members walked off the job to demand better wages and benefits.
The staff is resisting AGNE’s suggestion to exit their pension plan and switch to a 401(k) retirement plan. The union noted that this option would not include a matching contribution from the company.
“AGNE has known for nearly a year that remaining in the New England Teamsters Pension Fund is non-negotiable for our members, yet they continued to push a 401(k) plan with no employer match, knowing this could trigger a strike,” a local union spokesperson said.
No talks are currently scheduled between Teamsters Local 633 and AGNE. According to the spokesperson, the union and a federal mediator attended a bargaining session on Friday, but the company did not show up.
Retailers Seek Alternative Sourcing
A few retailers have reported that their product levels are critically low.
“You may notice some empty shelves or missing favorites over the coming days,” Richardson’s Market in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, said in a Facebook post, noting that it stands with its workers in the dispute with AGNE.
Richardson’s Market stated it is “actively working behind the scenes” to find inventory from other local suppliers so that more product can be put on its shelves.
In an interview with local station WBZ-TV, the retailer mentioned it did not receive a scheduled delivery from AGNE last Wednesday and is uncertain about getting a scheduled delivery this week.
In September, workers at the AGNE facility voted with an overwhelming majority—98%—to authorize a strike. Their contract expired on Oct. 17.
Suppliers’ Response to AGNE Strike
Supermarket News reached out to two major regional grocery suppliers, C&S Wholesale Grocers and Bozzuto’s, to inquire if they were supplying any of AGNE’s retail customers. C&S declined to comment, while Bozzuto’s could not be reached for a response.