Grocery workers at Santa Cruz Markets in Goleta and Santa Barbara have unanimously voted to authorize an Unfair Labor Practice strike, setting the stage for a possible walkout just days before the busy Thanksgiving holiday. Union leaders say the vote is a response to what they describe as ongoing labor violations by the company, and workers are now prepared to strike if negotiations don’t resume in good faith. KCSB's Emerson Good spoke with Erik Mendez, a grocery worker and member of the UFCW union about his experiences. NOTE: Since the original interview aired on November 20th, 2025, the Santa Cruz Markets reached a tentative agreement on a contract just before the Thanksgiving holiday, avoiding the strike altogether.