The Associated Press
July 9, 2007
LOS ANGELES—Three major supermarket operators and their Southern California employees' union resumed negotiations for a new contract on Monday amid preparations by the union take a key step toward a possible strike.
The talks follow a recess since the July Fourth holiday. Since then, the United Food and Commercial Workers has begun mobilizing its membership to craft picket signs and stockpile supplies in the event of a strike.
Rick Icaza, president of the union's Local 770 in Los Angeles and one of the negotiators, has said the union will cancel the automatic, daily renewal of its members' current contract sometime this week. Such a move doesn't mean workers would be on strike, but it would clear the way for the union to order a walkout.
"Unless we do it, I don't think we're going to get any movement on the part of the employers," Icaza said Monday.
The earliest a strike could occur is 72 hours after the contract renewal is canceled.
Adena Tessler, spokeswoman for Supervalu Inc.'s Albertsons, Kroger Co.'s Ralphs and Safeway Inc.'s Vons and Pavilions, said the employers were discouraged that the union was taking steps to prepare for a strike while negotiations continue.
Still, she said talks have been scheduled through the rest of the week.
The union and the supermarket chains began negotiating in January. The labor talks will determine wages and benefits for about 65,000 workers at 785 stores from San Luis Obispo and Bakersfield south to San Diego.
