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Grocery Workers Prepare As Strike Deadline Looms

Dawn Megli |
September 18, 2011 | 4:26 p.m. PDT

Executive Producer

Grocery workers could strike Sunday night if no deal is reached.
Grocery workers could strike Sunday night if no deal is reached.
Tens of thousands of California grocery workers from Ralphs, Albertsons and Vons may go on strike at 7:10 Sunday night if an agreement between union negotiators and the supermarket chains cannot be reached.

Picket signs are being distributed in anticipation that a deal will not be reached, according to CBS. Workers have been without a contract since March 6. 

A major point of contention in the union talks have been healthcare costs. The grocery chains have offered a healthcare package which union leaders argue would run out of money in 16 months. 

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villraigosa has come out against the strike, but remains supportive of union workers, claiming to "certainly understand" the needs of grocery employees.

Both sides are still engaged in negotiations as of Sunday afternoon, says NBC LA.   

Union representatives argue that profitable corporations have a "moral obligation" to treat their employees fairly, says Rick Icaza, president of United Food and Commercial Worker Local 770.

A strike could effect 62,000 grocery workers. 




 

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