Customers Feel Shortchanged at Grocers Since Labor Dispute

“Kroger’s Recovery Is in Slow Checkout Line; Loss Widens” (March 9) reports on the problem that the food chains are having since the strike and lockout. It fails, however, to give the customers’ views.

One notable feature of Ralphs after the strike is the high turnover of personnel. Many full-time employees are gone, unable to make ends meet on an enforced 20-hour-a-week schedule. The part-time employees are still working without health coverage and look confused. Managers are rotated weekly, it seems.

At my last visit to Ralphs, the cashier’s code book was incomplete. She had to frequently ask the cashier in the next counter for product codes, causing long delays in the line.

Many of us have come to prefer Stater Bros. and 99 Ranch Market -- and the faces of familiar and experienced employees.

William DuBay

Costa Mesa

*

What has the union gained for its members at Vons, Albertsons and Ralphs? Was it really worth it?

I drove to my old Vons on a Saturday morning and couldn’t believe the changes. The store was almost empty of customers, and I didn’t recognize one employee.

I wonder where they went?

Lloyd A. Fradkin

Newhall