Factor Sales union vote next weekend

A previously postponed unionization vote among employees of an area grocery store chain has been rescheduled for Friday and Saturday.

Employees of San Luis-based Factor Sales, owner of the Del Sol and King Market grocery stores in Yuma County, will decide whether they want to be represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers union.

The election will be overseen by the National Labor Relations Board and will take place at Factor Sales worksites in Yuma, San Luis, Somerton and Wellton. All but the chain's managers, office employees and security and maintenance workers will be able to vote.

The unionization vote set for December was placed on hold amid union allegations of unfair labor practices by Factor Sales. Meanwhile, several anti-union employees of Factor Sales stepped forward with their own allegations that the UFCW was trying to intimidate workers into voting for the union.

Martin Hernandez, a UFCW organizer, said he is happy the election is on again.

“I believe we all want this decided, for the good of the workers. We hope and we ask that Factor Sales allow the workers to decide (on unionization) freely.”

William Luna, an anti-union Factor Sales worker, said he is also anxious for the matter to be settled.

“We all want this to end and that it be decided. But we want the UFCW to respect the vote of those who are not in favor of a union at Factor Sales, that they don't try to intimidate the workers.”

Factor Sales officials declined to comment.