Independent grocery stores across Vermont are reporting missed deliveries as 255 workers strike at a New Hampshire distribution center, raising concerns about potential shortages ahead of Thanksgiving.
CAMBRIDGE, Vt. —
A strike at a major New England grocery distributor is disrupting deliveries to independent grocery stores across Vermont, raising concerns about potential shortages as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.
Some 255 drivers, warehouse employees and maintenance workers at Associated Grocers Northeast (AGNE) walked off the job Monday at the company’s distribution center in New Hampshire amid a contract dispute over workers’ pensions.
At Cambridge Village Market, co-owner Ron Frey said his store typically receives grocery deliveries twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. While Monday’s shipment arrived as scheduled, Thursday’s delivery never came.
Frey said the store has enough inventory to meet customer demand for now, but he worries that could change if the strike continues.
“I just want to emphasize that this is a local market issue,” Frey said. “It’s not affecting Hannaford. It’s not affecting Market 32. It’s the small grocers that are being affected by this.”
Cambridge Village Market isn’t alone in facing disruptions.
In a Facebook post, Derby Village Store said it had already missed two deliveries, with gaps beginning to appear in its meat, produce and dairy cases.
Meanwhile, Johnson General Store said an emergency supply plan has helped keep its shelves stocked despite the disruption.
Union says pension dispute is at the center of strike
The Teamsters union says the strike stems from AGNE’s proposal to remove workers from the New England Teamsters pension plan and replace it with a 401(k) retirement plan without an employer match.
Keith Judge, a business agent for Teamsters Local 633, said the union considers the pension proposal unacceptable.
“First and foremost, they should know that this was a last resort. None of our members wanted to go on strike,” Judge said.
“When the company informed us that they wanted to remove the group from the New England Teamsters pension plan, we responded that was going to be a nonstarter for us. You know, pensions are of paramount importance to our members.”
Judge said negotiations stalled again Friday morning and that no future meetings were scheduled as of Friday afternoon.
In a statement to NBC5, AGNE President and CEO Mike Violette acknowledged the stalled negotiations but said company leaders remain committed to reaching an agreement.
“We are disappointed that negotiations have stalled, but AGNE leaders remain at the table and hope for a resolution to this contract dispute,” Violette said.
He also said the company has contingency plans in place to maintain service during the upcoming holiday season.
“We recognize the Thanksgiving holidays are quickly approaching, which is a busy time of year for AGNE and its employees,” Violette said. “However, AGNE has a contingency in place to ensure that we move into the holiday season with certainty of service to meet the expectations and needs of our customers, our vendors and our stores.”
Concerns grow ahead of Thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving less than three weeks away, Frey said he is particularly concerned about maintaining supplies of everyday grocery items, including cereal, coffee, canned goods and frozen products.
While the store continues to receive fresh foods from local suppliers, Frey said replacing many packaged products is more difficult.
He also warned that prolonged delivery disruptions could have financial consequences for the business and its employees, potentially reducing workers’ hours as fewer shipments arrive to be stocked.
“I think both sides have their heels dug in. I think it’s going to be a while. I certainly hope I’m wrong,” Frey said. “But, you know, like I said, if this goes a couple of weeks, it’s going to become a real issue for us.”
For now, Cambridge Village Market remains stocked and open for business. But with no clear end to the strike in sight, Frey said it remains uncertain when the store’s next grocery delivery will arrive.
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