Union representing Roth’s employees spearheads boycott, billboards say “Don’t Shop Roth’s”

Union-sponsored billboards erected around Salem are promoting a boycott against Roth’s Fresh Markets as part of a labor dispute.

The “Don’t Shop Roth’s” campaign was launched by the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 555 , which primarily represents Pacific Northwest grocery workers, including over 60 Roth’s employees. Union officials said wages by Roth’s are unfairly low at a time the chain has increased grocery prices.

The Pattison Food Group, owned by Canadian billionaire Jim Pattison, bought the nine Roth’s stores in 2021 .

Union spokesman Miles Eshaia said Roth’s workers earn less than employees at Pattison’s Canadian stores and local competitors like Safeway and Fred Meyer. In an email, Eshaia said “the current wage differences are substantial.”

There are around six bill