Our view: Grocery workers should be wary of another walkout

As grocery workers contemplate another strike, they should also pause to reflect upon their ultimate goal. If they are merely seeking a do-over of the deal that ended the last strike, the union members may find that a walkout is too risky a proposition.

For 4 1/2 months in 2003-04, the United Food and Commercial Workers picketed outside of Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons across the Southland. The strike seemed to accelerate trends in the supermarket business favoring smaller markets and specialty stores -- such as Trader Joe's, Henry's, and Whole Foods -- discount retailers like Wal-Mart and bulk wholesalers like Costco.

While the major supermarket chains have since rebounded, they've done that thanks to the ability to reduce health care costs they won as part of the strike-ending deal in 2004. Another lengthy strike may forever close the cash registers of many marginally profitable supermarket stores facing increased competition.

Grocery workers no doubt feel that they've gotten a raw deal. Union leaders are likewise disappointed that the reduced salaries negotiated as part of the last agreement resulted in reduced dues to them. Both should give serious thought to the many unintended consequences another strike might bring.