Stop & Shop is currently in talks with the food and commercial workers union about a new three-year contract for its staff in western Massachusetts.
If no deal is reached by next Sunday, the union could vote to authorize a strike of over 1,300 employees.
“There are large differences [in negotiations],” UFCW Local 1459 Vice President Jeff Jones said. “There were large differences in the beginning, and there are large differences that remain.”
The western Massachusetts union is one of five throughout New England negotiating with the supermarket chain. Boston's union voted last week to authorize a strike.
Stop & Shop declined a request to be interviewed for this story. But in a statement, the company said it planned to keep talking.
"We are continuing to negotiate in good faith with the UFCW locals on strong new contracts that ensure Stop & Shop continues to be a great place to work, with competitive wages and benefits for associates, while also overcoming the substantial challenges we are facing in the rapidly changing New England food retail market," the company said.
Jones said he disagreed with Stop & Shop’s assessment of its economics during the negotiating process.
“They come to the table talking as if they’re barely hanging on and they need economic relief but they still command the number one position in New England,” Jones said.
Talks are expected to resume on Thursday.
