Fears of a supermarket strike this summer in Southern and Central California evaporated Tuesday when the region's largest grocery chains and the union representing 65,000 store employees reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract. The accord would make up some of the ground the United Food and Commercial Workers union lost in a bitter, lengthy walkout and lockout 3 1/2 years ago. The contract, which still must be ratified by union members at 785 Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons stores in votes Sunday, came together in nine straight days of bargaining that often extended into early morning hours. A spokesman for the union said its leaders would recommend that members accept the contract.
See "Strike averted as grocers, union reach accord", Jerry Hirsch, Los Angeles Times, July 17, 2007