A tentative settlement has been reached between representatives of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and supermarket chains Albertsons, Kroger’s Ralphs and Safeway ’s Vons regarding the ongoing Southern California grocery strike and lockouts.
The settlement could signal an end to the work stoppage that began 11 October, according to Peter J. Hurtgen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).
The agreement must still be ratified by a vote of the members of the seven UFCW local unions across Southern California. All parties have agreed to withhold specifics about the tentative agreement until all union members have an opportunity to review and vote on the contract proposal.
“As in any difficult, protracted negotiation, both sides had to face up to some hard choices, and find a way to compromise but still achieve their essential goals,” Hurtgen said.
