Democratic Socialists of America is urging its members, allies and frineds not to shop At Safeway stores until the striking and locked out grocery workers in Southern California are back at work. A resolution passed by the Interim Steering Committee of DSA National Political Committee urged DSA members and local organizations to participate fully in any mobilizations at Safeway organized by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). The complete text of the resolution follows:

Whereas grocery workers of Southern California have been on strike against Vons and Pavilions, subsidiaries of Safeway Inc. and have been locked out of Albertsons Inc. and Ralphs, a subsidiary of Kroger Company, since October 11, 2003, and

Whereas the main issue in the strike/lockout is the employers attempt to drastically cut back on health benefits and pensions, and

Whereas the employers blame competition from Wal-Mart as the reason they are attempting to convert their jobs into Wal-Mart style poverty level jobs, and

Whereas leaders of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) from Locals all across the U.S., plus national AFL-CIO leaders including President John J. Sweeney, met in Los Angeles on Dec. 16 and

Whereas UFCW President Doug Dority declared at that meeting: "If we lose here, it will set off a corporate tidal wave that will sweep away benefits in contracts in all industries", and

Whereas Dority further declared that there would be national mobilizations at Safeway, the parent company of Vons and Pavilions,

therefore

Democratic Socialists of America urges its members, friends and allies not to shop at Safeway stores until the strike/lockout is settled and workers have returned to their jobs, and

further resolves to give all possible support to the striking grocery workers in their effort to achieve a fair contract, including publicizing, supporting and participating in any national mobilizations at Safeway stores.

We further resolve to actively communicate this intention to DSA members and locals around the U.S. and urge every DSA member to participate in these efforts.