Grocery workers and management still talking
SEATTLE - Both the unions representing grocery store employees and the local grocery store management will continue their contract negotiations on Saturday. United Food and Commercial Workers spokesman Tom Geiger said that both sides talked until 10:15 p.m. Friday. Both the unions and Allied Employers continue to bargain over details regarding health care, salary, holiday pay and paid sick leave. Allied Employers represents Albertsons, Fred Meyer, QFC, and Safeway grocery store chains.
The unions, (UFCW Locals 21 and 367 and Teamsters Local 38) are comprised of 30,000 Western Washington grocery workers. Union members have authorizeda strike if negotiations are unsuccessful. Some of the grocery stores have posted ads and flyers calling for applications from workers who would replace strikers if a strike is called.