Union representatives and three supermarket chains held their first negotiations in nearly a month, with a federal mediator sitting in. The main issues at stake are health coverage for employees, pensions and other benefits. California is also in the middle of a transit strike. On Friday the striking mechanics voted to reject the Metropolitan Transportation Authority?s final contract offer. The MTA must now decide whether to impose a one-year contract on mechanics or legally hire replacement workers.
See "Union, SoCal Supermarket Negotiators Talk", The New York Times, November 10, 2003