Grocery Labor Contract Talks Extend Past Sunday Deadline

Efforts to avoid a labor strike continued with round-the-clock negotiations late Sunday between supermarket chains and the United Food and Commercial Workers union, which represents 62,000 grocery store clerks in Southern California.

“Union negotiators are currently still at the table trying to negotiate a fair deal. If the employers refuse to adequately fund health care, we will be forced to walk out and call a strike,” the UFCW Local 770 website said as of 7:30 p.m. Sunday. “If there is meaningful progress, we will continue to negotiate. Do not walk off your jobs until you have received official notice from your union representative.”

Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons officials met with the workers' representatives Sunday at an undisclosed location, while union stewards spent the day passing out picket signs.

Vons is owned by Safeway Inc., which also operates . There is a Pavilions in Beverly Hills at 9467 W. Olympic Blvd. A candlelight vigil in support of union workers was planned there at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

"As long as there's progress being made we'll stay at the table," said Mike Shimpock, spokesman for the Local 770, which represents 30,000 store clerks and other types of employees in Los Angeles County. "Our top priority is to get a negotiated agreement. We don't want to go on strike and really we shouldn't have to because these companies make enough money." 

Workers gave 72-hour notice Thursday of the possible cancellation of their current contract extension, paving the way for a strike if a deal could not be reached by Sunday at 7:10 p.m. 

Albertsons released a statement on behalf of the three major supermarket chains Sunday night saying that progress was being made, but that an agreement had not been reached.

"Even though the 72-hour notice period has expired, nothing has changed," the statement said. "The terms of our most recent contract—including wages and benefits—remain in place, and our stores are open to serve customers as they usually are. We are still hopeful that a contract will be reached soon." 

Health insurance benefits are a major point of contention, with the grocery chains offering an insurance package that union officials say would run out of money in 16 months. Under the most recent offer, workers would pay about $36 per month for individual health insurance or $92 per month for family coverage. The company contribution to that share has not been disclosed.

Grocery store workers in Southern California went on strike for 141 days in 2003-04 after contract negotiations stalled primarily over health care issues. 

This story was compiled with information from City News Service.

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