Stop & Shop strike: What you need to know

Workers walk the picket line in front of the Stop & Shop on Fairfield Ave., in Bridgeport, Conn. April 11, 2019. Stop & Shop employees across Connecticut and New England walked out on strike Thursday after failing to resolve a contract impasse. less Workers walk the picket line in front of the Stop & Shop on Fairfield Ave., in Bridgeport, Conn. April 11, 2019. Stop & Shop employees across Connecticut and New England walked out on strike Thursday after ... more Photo: Ned Gerard, Hearst Connecticut Media Buy photo Photo: Ned Gerard, Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 98 Caption Close Stop & Shop strike: What you need to know 1 / 98 Back to Gallery

Friday is Day 9 of the Stop & Shop workers’ strike.

Here’s what you need to know.

Are the two sides talking?

Yes.

Both sides said they “exchanged proposals,” but there was no agreement.

Stop & Shop President Mark McGowan said “as negotiations on a new contract continue, I know we are all united in our hope that this situation is resolved soon and that we can all get our energies back to being fully focused on our customers”

The UFCW union said Stop & Shop “still haven’t moved from their wage proposal and other substantial issues that matter to you and your coworkers. We will be back at the table tomorrow (Thursday) to continue to work towards an agreement that will make Stop & Shop better for workers and shoppers.”

For the unions’ update on negotiations, click here.

For Stop & Shops’ updates on negotiations, click here

What’s new?

Former Vice President Joe Biden attended a rally in Boston on Thurday in support of striking workers.

Stop & Shop president said to the striking workers, “I deeply respect your right to picket. It is part of the civil discourse that is so central to our democracy. On several occasions, however, protests have gone far beyond civil - and customers and employees have been threatened, intimidated or put in situations that felt dangerous or disrespectful. That and illegal actions are things that we will - and I will - absolutely not stand for.”

Are Stop & Shop stores open?

The only Stop & Shop closed is on Whalley Avenue in New Haven.

Store hours may be different and some services may not be available.

Stop & Shop pharmacies and People’s United Bank branches are open.

It has posted the stores operating hours here.

How many stores are there?

The grocery giant employs more than 31,000 associates throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. The company operates 92 stores in Connecticut alone.

Quincy, Massachusetts-based Stop & Shop, a division of Dutch supermarket giant Ahold Delhaize, has 415 stores across the Northeast but the strike affects 240 stores in the three states.

Should I cross the picket line?

That’s your decision.

Nearly empty parking lots show that many customers have chosen to go to other stores.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 919 asked its members to remain courteous to those who need items from the pharmacies inside the stores. “Many of these members of the communities may not have any other options and we know all too well what it’s like when access to health care is under threat.”

Can I support strikers?

Yes.

Check out the GoFundMe page devoted to raising funds for those workers out of jobs. Find the fundraising page by clicking here.