This weekend, union members of the three major grocery stores- Vons, Ralphs and Albertsons- are voting on a proposed health care plan. Union officials have recommended workers vote no on the plan. As a result, a majority no vote could result in a strike if union officials and supermarkets can’t agree to go back to the bargaining table.

It may be the final straw for union officials who have struggled to compromise with three of Southern California’s grocery chains.

This time around, things will be different compared to the 2003 grocery strike that lasted for 141 days or as many grocery store workers would say, way too long.

This time around, shoppers have more options instead of crossing picket lines. Target, Wal-Mart and Costco have expanded their grocery sections. Fresh and Easy has several new locations across the area. In addition, Sprouts, Trader Joes, Whole Foods and Stater Bros will be open without any disturbances.

The big concern, however, is whether public support remains high for grocery workers. In a state with unemployment at 12% and only 4,500 jobs created in July, many shoppers may feel grocery workers should be lucky to have a job that pays well. In addition, the public may be more than willing to cross picket lines in order to get a temporary job. At Albertsons and Vons stores, signs are displayed in front of store windows that ask interested workers to apply for a temporary position if a strike occurs. At Albertsons, $13 is the starting wage for a cashier with experience, $10 without experience. Ralphs has not displayed any signs because they, “remain committed, along with Albertsons and Vons, to reaching a contract that is good for our employees and keeps these union jobs sustainable for the future," company spokeswoman Kendra Doyel said.

In tough economic times and with more competition from other grocery stores, union workers and supermarkets are hoping a strike won’t have to be the end result to make progress.

The Southern California employees have been without a contract since March 6. If a strike is called, as early as the end of the week, 700 stores will be affected and 62,000 union members will be without a job.

Read more about the possible strike from the Orange County Register here.

Reach writer Mike Vulpo here