King Kullen Meat and Seafood Workers Pause Strike After Tentative Contract Deal

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Meat and seafood workers at King Kullen supermarkets on Long Island have paused their strike after reaching a tentative contract agreement with the company. The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 342 union had accused King Kullen of unfair labor practices, including surveillance of employees and retaliation, during the contract negotiations. The union has filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, which will now investigate the claims. The tentative deal still needs to be ratified by workers before they return to their jobs.

Why it matters

This labor dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between grocery workers and management, especially around issues of job security, wages, and working conditions. The NLRB complaints also raise concerns about potential violations of workers' rights during the negotiation process. The outcome of this case could set precedents for how similar labor disputes are handled in the future.

The details

Roughly 150 full-time and part-time meat and seafood workers at 25 King Kullen locations across Nassau and Suffolk counties went on strike, leaving many store counters unstaffed and bare during a busy shopping period. The union accused King Kullen of unfair labor practices, including surveillance of employees during union meetings and retaliation through schedule changes and policy shifts. The company has denied these allegations and says it has been negotiating in good faith.

• The workers' previous contract expired in October 2025.
• The strike began in early April 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The NLRB will investigate the union's unfair labor practice complaints. If violations are found, the case could result in settlements or formal remedies like worker reinstatement or monetary awards. The tentative contract agreement still needs to be ratified by the workers before they return to their jobs.