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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Grocery Workers at Popular MN Chain Reach Deal After Strike Threat

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Thursday, April 6, 2023   

UPDATE: This story from 4/6 has been updated to reflect that a last-minute agreement was reached, averting a strike. (08:15 a.m. CST, April 7, 2023)


Grocery store workers in the Twin Cities area say they've made plenty of sacrifices in the past few
years, but claimed leadership at a regional chain wasn't giving them their due. Union workers at dozens of stores threatened a strike this week before reaching a last-minute deal, averting a walkout.

On Friday and Saturday, Cub Foods workers at more than 30 metro-area stores had planned to walk the picket line. They are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663. Higher wages were a key issue, along with some working conditions.

Prior to the agreement, Kris Foslien, a deli lead at a local Cub store, said they are still reminded of the challenges of being on the front lines during the pandemic.

"Some of us couldn't partake in any type of holiday thing or birthdays, because we're scared that we're going to get our families sick," Foslien recounted. "That was a big wear on people."

The union says the tentative agreement provides raises of $2.50 to $3.50 an hour by spring of 2024 and establishes a landmark safety committee. Ahead of Friday's announcement, Cub's parent company, United Natural Foods, said it has proposed "historic" wage increases and agreed to ongoing union health and pension plans, on terms requested by the union. It added it had contingency plans to ensure the continued availability of products and services had there been a walkout.

During a news conference earlier this week, Rena Wong, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 663, said they were also fighting for part-time workers, noting the company's initial proposal included what she calls a "regressive" wage structure.

"Our 15-hour-a-week part-timers, which is quite common, would have to work almost 140 weeks before they see a raise. That is not respectful," Wong contended.

The workers had been without a contract since early March. They claimed the company and its leadership have benefited financially in recent years, but any profits did not reach those who could not work remotely.


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