SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A local union representing grocery workers from across Oregon and southwest Washington has called for a boycott of Fred Meyer stores and departments in the region.

Union officials say the move comes after recent alleged harassment of unionized employees.

Oregon Public Broadcasting reports that United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 is in contract negotiations with some of the region's biggest supermarkets, including Fred Meyer, Albertsons and Safeway. The contract termination freed up the union to call for a boycott starting Sunday.

Kelley McAllister, with UFCW Local 555, said the union was targeting Fred Meyer due to recent allegations that managers at the stores had called unionized employees into their offices and berated them.

In a statement, Fred Meyer said recent allegations that painted the company as "an unfair or uncaring employer" were an "unfortunate misrepresentation of the reality for our great associates."