It was Stop & Shop's largest and longest strike in the store's history. After 11 days on the picket lines, more than 30,000 employees are going back to work after a tentative agreement was struck over the weekend.
For the first time in 11 days, customers didn't have to cross a picket line to grab groceries at their local Stop & Shop, but it wasn't back to business as usual.
"No produce. Also, no meat in the back," said customer Jillian Morton.
The store was bare Monday morning.
A Stop & Shop spokesperson told Boston 25 News, "Our associates' top priority will be restocking our stores so we can return to taking care of our customers and communities and providing them with the service they deserve."
But market analyst Strategic Resource Group says it won't be easy to recoup all of the store's losses.
This was the largest and longest strike in the store's history and included more than 240 stores across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
"We estimate that Stop & Shop lost about $25 million during the strike. About $15 million in operating income," said Burt Flickinger III, managing director Strategic Resource Group.
Ten million dollars in profit was lost from unsold fresh produce and meat.
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Flickinger says 75-90% of its customers went across the street to a non-union competitor.
"If the strike had lasted into midweek to this weekend, many of the shoppers would have formed permanent shopping habits going to non-union competitors," he said.
A potential blow to unions like the UFCW who tell Boston 25 News they're just happy to be helping customers again.
"Very relieved and happy to be finally working and finally helping customers," said Matthew Luisi.
Boston 25 News doesn't have details on the proposed three-year agreement but has been told that Stop & Shop met workers' demands for better pay and healthcare coverage. Locals will vote on the contract this week.
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