LANDOVER, Md. — Union workers for Giant and Safeway stores in the Washington and Baltimore metro areas are expected to vote next week on a tentative contract agreement.
The contract would replace an existing deal that was to have expired March 31 but will be extended through April 3 as members vote, according to a statement from United Food and Commercial Workers Locals 27 and 400. The contract would cover more than 40,000 workers.
Tom McNutt, Local 400 president, in a statement Thursday said the agreement increases wages and strengthens health and retirement security.
The negotiations had become contentious in recent weeks, as the union local filed charges against both chains accusing them of violating worker rights. According to the union, the chains had asked employees not to hand out pro-union buisness cards to customers and had placed limits on their social media postings.
The chains had begun recruiting replacement workers in case of a strike.
The two sides had been negotiating since Jan. 11.
