No matter how one may feel about labor unions and movements in general, it is clear to many that the employees of the Stop & Shop market chain have got a legitimate beef with their employer.

Last week, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) and Stop & Shop management reached an impasse in their negotiations, triggering a walkout and subsequent series of protest demonstrations across New England.

Some 31,000 workers have joined together to strike in hopes of raising wages and improving benefits packages after their previous three-year contract expired in February. The workers are asking the general public not to take their business to Stop & Shop until a new contract is negotiated and adopted.

The store’s employees complain that overtime wages have been cut and that health insurance coverage is severely inadequate in suiting their needs.

We know from observations and direct experience that these people work hard and deserve a living wage and fair benefits packages. It is easy to understand what has driven the employees to take up this extreme measure and stick up for what they believe they truly  deserve.

It is every individual’s personal choice whether or not to patronize this particular market chain during this time. It is also incumbent on all of us to make the choice that represents what is right and fair.