PHOENIX - Grocery stores across Arizona could be forced to close or reduce hours this weekend if a union deal isn't reached by Friday.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 99 represents most hourly employees at both Fry's and Safeway.
The group has threatened to strike if a contract isn't agreed to by 6 p.m. Friday.
Fry's is already advertising for temporary workers in case the strike happens.
The union says it wants a properly funded health plan, adequate wage increase, and no premium increase for health insurance.
Workers hoping to stop the strike held a rally Monday morning outside the union headquarters in downtown Phoenix.
Some said they don't want to be out of work over the holidays and need the money.
People at the rally included Kimberly Cress, who resigned from the union on Monday morning.
"I just want to work. This is a horrible time to threaten a strike anyway," she said.
Many of the workers we spoke with said they would be happy to kick in something to help pay for their health insurance if it meant keeping their jobs and not threatening a strike.
Many of them said a vote held in September, which authorized the union to strike, should be held again. Why? For many, the situation has changed since September. With some families struggling financially, many can't risk losing income during a strike.
Some of the workers at the rally also said a proposal for employees to "kick in" for their health care is acceptable.
They told ABC15 they're hearing about a potential plan that would mean a single employee would kick in $5 per check for their healthcare. Married workers would pay $10 and those with families $15 per check.
These premiums would only be paid by those employees hired after the new contract was ratified, not exisiting employees.
The union and the grocery companies have been negotiating for more than a year.
UFCW President James McLaughlin said he realizes some union members and former members are upset about a potential strike.
He said the UFCW has an obligation to represent all members not just those at the rally.
Soundoff below: Should workers go on strike to get better benefits?
Check back for updates.
