LOS ANGELES -- Three Southern California retailers extended their contracts with seven locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union through midnight April 9 as they continue to negotiate new agreements under the auspices of a federal mediator. In a joint statement the chains -- Supervalu-owned Albertsons, Kroger-owned Ralphs and Safeway-owned Kroger -- sounded an optimistic note about the direction of the talks. “Since the last Southern California contract was settled in 2004 [following a 141-day strike-lockout], we have negotiated dozens of mutually beneficial settlements with UFCW locals in numerous markets across the country, and there is good reason to believe we can accomplish the same here in Southern California. Over the last few weeks, we have worked together with the unions and the federal mediator with the shared goal of negotiating a contract that addresses common concerns of managing rising health care and benefit costs and continuing to provide quality union jobs.” Following April 9, the contract extension will continue on a day-to-day basis until it is canceled by either side, or until a new agreement is reached, the companies said.
-- Elliot Zwiebach
