Union Face-Off

It won’t be the Battle of Puebla, but hundreds of union activists are set for a contentious face-off at today’s grand opening of Grupo Gigante’s first California supermarket.

The 60,000-square-foot Gigante store in Pico Rivera is the first of six markets the Mexican retailer plans to open in the Southland. Its opening was timed to coincide with Cinco de Mayo celebrations, which commemorate the defeat of French invaders at Puebla, Mexico.

The store is nonunion, a point that managers made clear in a flier handed out to prospective employees last month. “It is our belief that union representation would not work to your or our benefit or to the success of our business communities,” it said.

Labor leaders were incensed. “About 50% of our members are Latino men and women, and we want to continue to have these people in the industry earning good, decent wages,” said Jim Rodriguez of United Food & Commercial Workers, Local 770. He said the market’s hourly wage of $6.50 to $7.50 for cashiers is lower than union rates of $8 to $14. Gigante couldn’t be reached for comment.

Rodriguez said he expected 500 labor activists and sympathizers at today’s 10 a.m. protest, organized by the UFCW and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. Scheduled speakers included Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles).