Missed Deadline in California Sets Up Strike Vote

LOS ANGELES — The three chains involved in negotiations with the United Food and Commercial Workers union in Southern California did not present an acceptable contract offer by yesterday’s deadline, leading to a vote over the weekend to authorize a strike, Mike Shimpock, a UFCW spokesman, said in a press conference yesterday. Albertsons workers have already authorized a strike — the vote over the weekend is for Ralphs and Vons workers. Negotiations are expected to continue, Shimpock said. He said the chains’ current proposal for funding health care benefits was not acceptable, and the union is also seeking wage increases. “They are saving millions of dollars a day when they are not negotiating, and they will string us along forever if we don’t take a stand.”

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