CHICAGO -- Negotiations could resume at any time between Dominick's Finer Foods here and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, a spokeswoman for one of the two UFCW locals told SN.
in 2003, full-scale talks have not resumed as the chain underwent top-level management changes.
Steve Burd, chairman and chief executive officer, Safeway, said in December that he expected all outstanding labor contracts to be settled by the first quarter.
Elizabeth Drea, the spokeswoman for UFCW Local 881, said no negotiations had yet been scheduled, but trustees of the health care and pension funds that cover Dominick's employees have met with union leaders to discuss changes in health care coverage.
"I expect the negotiations will include a lot of the same issues that have been discussed across the country," said Elizabeth Drea, the UFCW spokeswoman. "Health care is a primary focus."
Dominick's workers are also represented by UFCW Local 1546 here.
Health care is also a critical component of the negotiations between UFCW Local 881 and Albertsons-owned Jewel, which are completely separate from those with Dominick's.
The health care portion of the Jewel contract will be negotiated first because the fiscal year for that plan, which is managed by Albertsons, begins on June 1. Drea said the union intends to poll its members prior to negotiations to determine what the most critical issues are for employees.
