Albertsons Laying Off Unionized Delivery Drivers In Pivot To DoorDash

Albertsons supermarket chain is reportedly laying off some of its unionized delivery drivers and instead teaming with DoorDash for deliveries, according to a report in SFGate on Wednesday (Jan. 6).

Albertsons is the second-largest supermarket chain after Krogers, with more than 2,700 stores and 18 different chains, including Safeway, Vons, Shaw’s and others. The partnership with DoorDash will initially affect delivery service drivers at Safeway and Vons locations.

Albertsons spokesperson Wendy Gutshall told SFGate that the pivot to DoorDash was not one the company made lightly but was necessary to “allow us to compete in the growing home delivery market more effectively,” and that the new strategy resulted from “a great deal of consideration.”

The deal between DoorDash and Albertsons was initially reported by activist news site Knock.LA, following the passage of Prop 22 in California. Sources said DoorDash will start delivering for the chains everywhere across America and not just in the Golden State.

Several sources, including the California Labor Federation, nevertheless claim the alliance results directly from the passage of California’s Proposition 22. 

The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union — which represents 1.3 million frontline workers, including over 141,000 people in California — condemned the move by DoorDash and Albertsons.

“All across California, Vons and Pavilions grocery workers have been bravely serving on the frontlines since the pandemic began, putting their own health at risk to ensure Californians have the food they need during this crisis,” UFCW International President Marc Perrone said in a statement.

He added that with the resurgence of COVID-19 cases overwhelming hospitals in California, “it is stunning that Albertsons would fire these courageous and hard-working men and women keeping our food supply secure.”

Proposition 22 lets gig economy firms like DoorDash keep classifying their workers as independent contractors, but requires them to extend healthcare and other benefits. DoorDash, Lyft and Instacart have all said that delivery service fees would be upped to offset the cost of benefits.