MA, RI and CT Treasurers Warn of Impact of 30,000 Worker Stop & Shop Strike

MA, RI and CT Treasurers Warn of Impact of 30,000 Worker Stop & Shop Strike

The battle between Stop & Shop and union workers is heating up.

Now, politicians in New England are weighing in on the labor fight. 

“As the state treasurers of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, we write to express our deep concern regarding the ongoing labor dispute between Stop & Shop and Teamsters Local 25. Stop & Shop plays a vital role in our states—serving our communities, employing thousands of workers, and contributing to our local economies. We value the company’s presence in our states, just as we value the well-being of the workers who make your business run every day,”  the three State Treasurers wrote in a joint letter on Tuesday to Stop & Shop executives in the Netherlands and the U.S.

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The company is owned by the Dutch company Ahold Delhaize.

The letter is addressed to Frans Muller, President & CEO of Ahold Delhaize Netherlands, and J.J. Fleeman, CEO of Ahold Delhaize US.

The treasurers - Deborah B. Goldberg of Massachusetts, James Diossa of Rhode Island, and Erick Russell of Connecticut - in their joint letter wrote, “Reports that Stop & Shop has proposed eliminating union health coverage and is threatening to shift warehousing operations out of Massachusetts if workers do not accept these terms raise serious concerns about the long-term stability of the company and its relationship with employees, customers, and the communities it serves. A strike impacting over 900 Teamsters, as well as potentially 30,000 UFCW members throughout New England, would have far-reaching operational and economic consequences.”

The three added, “Beyond the immediate disruptions, such a dispute poses a significant reputational risk to Stop & Shop and Ahold Delhaize. The company has built a strong customer base over decades, in part because consumers trust that it treats its workers fairly. A labor dispute of this magnitude risks eroding that trust, driving loyal customers to competitors, and causing lasting damage to Stop & Shop’s brand. Today’s consumers are increasingly attuned to how companies treat their workforce, and widespread media attention on a prolonged labor conflict could lead to substantial backlash, negatively impacting both short-term sales and long-term market position.”