por el equipo de El Reportero

As one of the busiest grocery shopping weeks of the year approached, El Super workers across Southern California intensified their call for a fair contract, holding a large rally on Tuesday, November 25, outside an El Super store in Los Angeles. The demonstration came amid rising concerns over immigration raids in public spaces and ongoing labor negotiations that workers say have stalled for months.

Employees, supported by community leaders and immigrant-rights advocates, urged Chedraui USA—the parent company of El Super—to agree to a contract that includes living wages, safer working conditions, and clear immigration protections for workers and customers. With Thanksgiving sales surging, workers said the need for economic stability and safety inside stores has never been more urgent.

Negotiations between the company and approximately 700 unionized employees represented by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) locals have been ongoing since April, when the previous collective bargaining agreement expired. Since then, workers say the company has rejected almost every major proposal, including requests for guaranteed protocols in the event of an immigration enforcement operation. Workers note that similar protections were included in recent agreements between other large grocery chains and their unionized workforces.

“With the wages El Super pays us, my coworkers and I struggle to put food on our own tables. Especially at Thanksgiving,” said Araceli Pinedo, a cashier at a South Los Angeles store. Pinedo explained she supports a family of four and was forced to take a second job after her hours were cut. “I stretch every dollar, use coupons, and even go to the park for free vegetables just to supplement what I can buy.”

Other workers echoed the sentiment, saying the company’s wage proposals fall far short of what is needed to survive in today’s Southern California economy. El Super’s most recent offer, union representatives say, includes hourly raises ranging from just 1 to 22 cents. Workers argue that this structure would allow wages to stagnate even as California’s minimum wage continues to increase—leaving long-time employees earning barely above the legal minimum.

“For seven months, we have been fighting for a contract that pays a living wage and protects our community,” said employee Fermin Rodríguez. He emphasized that the absence of immigration protections leaves both workers and customers vulnerable. “We want the company to establish clear security protocols for how to proceed during an immigration raid, so families feel safe to shop in the store; restrict immigration agents’ access to non-public areas; and put these protocols in our contract so they are guaranteed rights, not just empty promises.”

Concerns over immigration enforcement were shared by local leaders who joined the rally. Giovanni García, chair of the Voices Neighborhood Council, urged the company to recognize the needs of its predominantly Latino workforce. “I ask El Super to respect your workers and give them the family-sustaining wages that they deserve, and commit to including immigration protections as part of their contract agreement,” Garcia said.

Jose Ugarte, deputy chief of staff for Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price, said the company’s refusal to adopt basic protections threatens the wellbeing of the entire community. “Our Latino community’s economic power is immense,” Ugarte noted, adding that residents and elected leaders would continue supporting workers in their push for a contract that guarantees dignity, stability, and safety.

Workers are also seeking improvements to staffing levels, injury prevention measures, and more predictable schedules—issues they say affect both employee wellbeing and customer service. Many stores, the union argues, operate with inadequate staffing, leading to longer lines and heavier burdens on employees.

El Super is part of Chedraui USA, a subsidiary of Grupo Comercial Chedraui, Mexico’s third-largest supermarket operator. The company runs 383 stores across the United States under various brands, including Fiesta Mart, Smart & Final, and El Super, serving predominantly Latino communities in five states.

As negotiations continue, workers say they will maintain pressure through public actions and community outreach. With the holiday season underway, they hope the company will reconsider its position and work toward an agreement that reflects the economic realities faced by thousands of working families. – With reports.

by El Reportero’s staff and reports

California is marking National Scholarship Month by celebrating the expanding reach of CalKIDS, the state’s pioneering scholarship and savings program now supporting more than five million children. Officials say the initiative is reshaping how families prepare for higher education by offering early financial support and fostering a college-going culture statewide. Launched in 2022, the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program—CalKIDS—provides up to $1,500 in scholarships for eligible public school students and $175 for every child born in California on or after July 1, 2022. The program is administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board and chaired by State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, with the goal of making higher education more accessible for families regardless of income. State figures show that more than 750,000 students have already claimed their scholarships, using the funds for tuition, books, housing, and other educational expenses at accredited colleges, universities, and vocational schools across the country. Treasurer Ma called CalKIDS a powerful tool for equity. “CalKIDS is a catalyst for building family assets and expands access to education,” she said. “For older students, it offers real financial support to meet immediate education needs. For younger families, it plants the seeds of lifelong financial literacy.” For many students, the benefits are immediate. Abigail Lopez of CSU San Bernardino said her CalKIDS scholarship reduced the stress of paying for essential school costs. “I found out about it my first year of college and wanted to use it to pay my tuition, books, and housing,” she said. “It relieved some stress I had about paying for things for school.” Parents of newborns say the program brings peace of mind. Lindsay Ferguson of Orange County described her son’s automatic scholarship as a meaningful early step toward future planning. Educators also see significant impact. Cindy Duran, a CalWORKs counselor at Saddleback College, said the automatic account creation is critical. “Most students aren’t aware of it,” she noted, adding that funds can be claimed easily online. About 60 percent of public-school students in grades 2–12 qualify for CalKIDS, along with all children born in California since mid-2022. Families can confirm eligibility by visiting CalKIDS.org and entering a student’s Statewide Student Identifier or the 13-digit number on a newborn’s birth certificate. State leaders say CalKIDS supports California’s cradle-to-career vision by encouraging savings habits and expanding access to higher education, helping ensure every child has a path toward a brighter future.