Stop & Shop, union deli workers reach tentative contract after 2-store strike in Hamptons

Unionized meat and seafood workers and Stop & Shop reached a tentative contract deal Tuesday evening after a strike at two of its stores earlier in the day and months of negotiations, union officials said.

Workers at two Stop & Shop locations, one at 167 Main St. in Southampton and the other at 67 Newtown Lane in East Hampton, went on strike early Tuesday after a late-night bargaining session between Stop & Shop and members of UFCW Local 342.

The daylong strike was limited to the two locations, where the union represents all workers, including cashiers, officials with Local 342 said.

Hours after the union had called for a strike of the stores, a contract deal was reached, officials with Local 342 said.

Speaking on behalf of Local 342 president Deana Abondolo, Keeley Lampo, director of activities and communications for the union, said Abondolo was “proud of the negotiation committee.”

“She was blown away by their efforts, their dedication and perseverance to not just settle for anything, but to get exactly what they deserve, as well as the workers in their shops,” Lampo said. “The back-and-forth with the company over the last several weeks were not for the weak of heart.”

The local represents around 1,230 workers, mostly meat and seafood workers, at 68 of the supermarket chain’s locations across the Northeast. Members voted to authorize a strike on June 20 after eight months of negotiations following the expiration of their previous contract in October.

The supermarket has 50 locations in Nassau and Suffolk counties, the supermarket chain said last month. The local represents workers at 48 of those stores.

“Stop & Shop is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with the UFCW Local 342 representing more than 1,300 associates in our New York Market Area,” the company said in a statement. “Stop & Shop is proud that this fair, new agreement will enable us to continue to recognize and reward our associates’ contributions and commitment to our customers and the community; provide our associates with opportunities for growth and advancement; and enable Stop & Shop to continue to compete and thrive in this competitive landscape.”

Major sticking points in bargaining had been the inclusion of language on automation and artificial intelligence, and adjusting wages for part-time workers, Lampo said.