Supermarkets, union to resume contract talks

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS

4:43 p.m. June 26, 2007

LOS ANGELES – Contract talks between three supermarket chains and the union representing workers were scheduled to resume this week, a spokesman for the grocers said Tuesday.

The negotiations are aimed at avoiding a replay of a lengthy 2003 strike-lockout that forced shoppers to cross picket lines or find nonunion markets.

A vote by workers last weekend gave union officials the authority to call a strike against Kroger Co.'s Ralphs and Safeway Inc.'s Vons and Pavilions if the negotiations reach an impasse.

Employees at Albertsons voted in March to give the union permission to send them to the picket line.



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