The stalemate between the parent company of Stop & Shop Supermarkets and five local unions of United Food & Commercial Workers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut concluded a sixth day Tuesday, April 16, with both sides seemingly still far apart on contract negotiations.

Both parties issued statements at the end of the business day.

UFCW Locals 328, 371, 1445, 1459 and 919 reiterated their stance the Ahold Delhaize, the Dutch multi-national that owns Stop & Shop, is seeking significant reductions in health care and pension benefits for current and future employees.

The UFCW statement read in part, “Stop & Shop’s latest proposal will drastically increase out-of-pocket health care costs, kick approximately 1,000 employees’ spouses off of their health care plan, and make it more challenging for 31,000 people to provide for themselves and their families. If the company’s most recent offer becomes a reality, every working family, neighborhood, consumer, and community will be hurt.

Stop & Shop president Mark McGowan countered with a release acknowledging the company’s appreciation for its patrons as well as its workers.

“First, we want you to know, Stop & Shop recognizes the valuable role our associates play in creating a great experience for you,” Mr. McGowan wrote. “They are a part of your lives, a part of our community, and key to our success. That's why it is so important to us to provide a fair contract to our employees who are members of the UFCW unions currently on strike.

“The wages, healthcare, and pension offer for all of our employees - full and part-time, across all stores - are among the best for New England retail and supermarket associates. This contract offer is no exception. That's why we are committed to continued discussions until a fair and reasonable result is achieved.”

To date, the UFCWs have described what they say are the following concessions being sought by Ahold Delhaize/Stop & Shop as unpalatable:

Requiring the average full-time employee to pay an additional $893 in weekly health care premiums over three years and the average part-time employee with employee-only coverage to pay an additional $603 in weekly health care premiums over three years.

Reducing the monthly pension benefit for many newly hired full-time employees by 32 percent and reducing the monthly pension benefit for many part-time employees by up to 72.2 percent.

Kicking off approx. 1,000 employees’ spouses from their family health care plan if the spouse is offered health care coverage by their employer, regardless of cost or quality of care.

Phasing out time-and-a-half pay on Sundays and holidays for current part-time workers and eliminating it entirely for new, part-time (approx. 75% of Stop & Shop’s workforce is part-time).

While some markets are closed, others are open and has led to some awkward public situations for the likes of former Boston Bruins star and Hall of Famer Ray Bourque and Rhode Island Democratic politician Aaron Regunberg, who each crossed union picket lines at stores near Boston and Providence to the chagrin of many.

Of the company’s attempts to keep operations open, Mr. McGowan wrote, “We are committed to resolving our labor negotiations as quickly as possible so that our employees can return to their jobs and we can get back to better serving you and the community.

"In the interim, we're also committed to keeping our doors open for our customers. We are grateful to members of the management team and others who are jumping in to assure that you continue to receive service. Most stores remain open for business 7 days a week, from 8am-8pm, with some reduced services. However, Bakery, Customer Service, Deli, and Seafood counters will not be operational, and we currently have a limited meat selection. Our gas stations are also closed at this time.”