A tentative agreement was announced late Monday by negotiators for the union representing Southern California grocery workers that will avert a strike if approved by union members.
The union employees last month overwhelmingly voted in favor of a strike if contract talks failed. The tentative agreement is with companies that own Ralphs and Vons/Pavilions/Albertsons.
A statement from the seven United Food and Commercial Workers Union locals said `Once our members have had an opportunity to review and vote, we will release more information on this historic and transformational deal. Nothing is final until our members decide. We are incredibly proud of our essential grocery members, whose hard work and determination to stand together and willingness to fight for what they deserve, has made this agreement possible.''
Union officials had said they were seeking a $5-per-hour wage hike, phased in over the next three years, along with bolstered safety standards and ``adequate scheduling and hours.'' The stores reportedly had offered annual 60-cent-per-hour wage increases during the next three years, totaling $1.80.
(Photo Getty Images)