Negotiations Continue Between Grocers, Union

Contract negotiations continued earlier today between representatives from three supermarket chains and the union representing 62,000 grocery store clerks in order to avoid another supermarket strike in Southern California.

Rick Icaza, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 770 said contract negotiations will continue "as long as we feel progress is being made towards a fair, equitable agreement."

"We must preserve good jobs in our community, and stand up for all workers struggling in this economy," Icaza said in a statement. "If we can do that by negotiating a fair deal that shows respect for our members, we will. But we will not hesitate to stand up for ourselves if talks stall again. Our hope is to reach a conclusion to these talks that allows our members to preserve their jobs, keep our employers profitable and show our appreciation to our customers for their continued support."

Local 770, which represents 30,000 store clerks and other types of employees in Los Angeles County, warned on its website that "if the employers refuse to adequately fund healthcare, we will be forced to walk out and call a strike. If there is meaningful progress, we will continue to negotiate."

In a 7 a.m. update today, Local 770 reported that the parties are "still negotiating" and urged grocery clerks to stay on the job until told otherwise by a union representative.

Officials from Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons on Sunday met with representatives of the 62,000 Southern California grocery workers as union stewards passed out picket signs.

A union spokesman said no progress was made Sunday afternoon. Grocery-chain officials did not comment.

Nevertheless, some pointed to deliveries of perishables—such as baked goods, produce, meat and milk—at the stores as a positive sign. Clerks at two Ralphs and Vons supermarkets in Santa Monica said Sunday that the stores had not reduced their deliveries of perishables.

"We've heard that, and I think that does mean something," union spokesman Mike Shimpock said. "And if they start to move in the negotiations, we intend to stay at the table [and not call a strike]."

On Thursday, union officials served a 72-hour contract cancelation notice, meaning they would call a strike Sunday if no progress were made in the negotiations.

The main sticking point appears to be health insurance benefits. The supermarkets are asking employees to pay about $36 per month for individual benefits or $92 per month for family coverage; however, union officials say the supermarkets need to contribute more to a health-insurance fund, otherwise the fund will run out in less than 16 months.

No progress has been made on wages.

"They're sitting on their piles of cash, and they're throwing us quarters," Shimpock said.

According to union representatives, the three chains made $1.5 billion in profits last year.

The three stores have been soliciting applications for replacement workers, and Ralphs representatives said the chain would close all its affected stores if workers go on strike. Stores would be reopened on a case-by-case basis.

Albertsons has also indicated that the chain may close some of its stores in the event of a strike.

A 141-day lockout in 2003-04 cost the chains about $1.5 billion and cost many workers their life savings.

City News Service contributed to this report.