Talks between supermarket chains and locked out and striking grocery workers broke down at the weekend after only one day of negotiations.

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US Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service director Peter J Hurtgen said that the negotiations between representatives of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and supermarket chains Kroger’s Ralphs, Safeway’s Vons and Albertsons had been recessed indefinitely after both sides in the dispute advised him they saw no purpose in continuing.


Hurtgen said the parties are “grappling with difficult issues” and that it was unlikely that face-to-face discussions would take place during the upcoming holidays.


He said he would remain in contact with the parties individually during the recess period, and added that he would ask them to return to the bargaining table again when he determines that it may be productive to do so.

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