Top 10 Stories: Grocery Strike Averted

It's been a crazy year. From fish die-offs to reality television episodes to freeway news (and everything in between), Redondo Beach Patch writers were always busy. Here is the No. 5 most popular story of the year, chosen by popularity and editorial discretion.

Grocery Workers Almost Strike (No. 5)

Tensions were high in the Southland in mid-September as residents wondered whether workers at Albertsons, Vons, Ralphs and their affiliated stores would strike. Nevertheless, union representatives and company executives worked through the night Sept. 18 to ensure that the stores would remain open.

A major sticking point in the negotiations was health insurance benefits. The supermarkets were asking employees to pay about $36 per month for individual benefits or $92 per month for family coverage; however, union officials said if the employers didn't contribute more to a health-insurance fund for the workers, the fund would be bankrupt in less than two years.

Both sides said they were eager to avoid a strike. A 141-day lockout in 2003-2004 cost the chains about $1.5 billion and many workers their life savings.

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