Contract Talks Between 3 Supermarket Giants and UFCW Break Down; 70,000 Grocery Workers to Take Strike Vote Wednesday & Thursday and Strike as Early as Saturday.

Business Editors

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 2003

After meeting with representatives of Ralphs, Vons, and Albertsons for two months, Unions representing 70,000 grocery workers in Southern California received the employers' final proposal shortly before midnight on October 5 -- contract expiration. Despite the Union's best efforts to divert the employers from the disastrous course they are forcing on workers, the employers refused to move off a plan that is devastating to workers and their families with regard to healthcare, retirement, and job security.

Members will have the opportunity to vote on the supermarket giants' final proposal on Wednesday and Thursday at membership meetings as far north as San Luis Obispo and Mammoth Lakes, across to the Arizona and Nevada borders, and south to the Mexico Border. The Union leaders will unequivocally recommend to members that they vote to reject the employers' final proposal and authorize a strike that could commence on Saturday, October 11, 2003.

A strike would affect 859 supermarkets and impact 70,000 grocery workers in Southern California. Many other labor unions, including but not limited to the Teamsters, Bakers and Confectioners, and Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union (HERE), have committed to honor the UFCW picket lines.

These 70,000 workers are represented by seven Local Unions affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW). With 1.4 million members in the United States and Canada, UFCW is the largest private sector trade union in North America.