Last-Minute Deal Averts Worker Strike at Southern California Grocery Stores

LOS ANGELES, CA - The union representing thousands of grocery store workers in Southern California has reached a tentative deal with supermarket chains that would avert a strike scheduled to begin next week, union officials announced today.

"We have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with Albertsons/Vons and Ralphs, pending our members ratification on Monday on August 8," United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 posted on its website today. "We want to thank all of our community partners who came forward day in and day out to support our workers. This deal could not have happened without the strength and solidarity of our dedicated members."

The union's rank-and-file members will vote to accept or reject the deal on Monday, with voting going on from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. at several local offices around the Southland.

The workers voted to authorize a strike in June if a new deal wasn't reached by Monday.

The Local's statement added that separate negotiations with pharmacy workers are still ongoing.

City News Service