With the grocery industry in Southern California on the brink of yet another devastating work stoppage, thousands of Stater Bros. workers delivered petitions asking that CEO Jack Brown call on his fellow Grocery CEOs to negotiate fairly with food workers.

Although Stater Bros. has its own collective bargaining agreement regarding working conditions, the employees will be subject to the same medical benefits as those of the Big Three.

"It is time to get off the sidelines and get into the game. Our families are at stake too. We are urging Mr. Brown to get involved. I'm concerned that the continued delay could have a devastating effect on my ability to get medical care," said Glenn Raad of Stater Bros., whose 12-year-old son battled leukemia.

"We have made many compromises over the last 30 years to help the employers keep healthcare and retirement costs low," explained 31-year employee Rigoberto Lopez. "Now to suddenly shift $450 million in healthcare costs to the workers is not only unnecessary, it is downright unfair! It's time for Stater Bros. workers to have a voice at the table."

Albertsons, Ralphs, and Vons employ over 62,000 union workers in Southern California. They are negotiating with the United Food and Commercial Workers for a new 5-year employment contract. Stater Bros. has over 13,000 union workers in its 167 stores.

"Over four months of indecision is enough. We want our CEO to get involved," said Raad.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Businesswire