Salem-area grocery chain Roth’s Fresh Markets came within hours of a strike by meat and deli department workers. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 reached tentative agreement with Roth’s Sept. 10 on a new three-year union contract, just ahead of a strike that was to start Sept. 11.
The contract covers about 60 members in meat and deli at nine stores. If members vote to ratify it in the coming weeks as expected, it will largely match terms agreed to by Fred Meyer.
Roth’s is one of five grocery banners owned by Save Mart Companies, which also owns Chuck’s Fresh Markets in Vancouver, Washington, and the Save Mart, Lucky, and Food Maxx chains in California and Nevada…