Safeway, Unions Reach Agreement in N. Calif.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway here said yesterday it has reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with four locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers union in Northern California. Terms were not disclosed pending ratification votes, which are expected to take place “in the coming weeks,” Safeway said. The four-year agreement with UFCW Locals 5, 8, 101 and 648 covers about 25,000 workers at 300 Safeways. “We achieved our goals reaching an agreement that benefits the specific needs of our members working in Safeway stores,” said Jacques Loveall, president of UFCW 8-Golden State, in a prepared statement. “Next, we will focus our energies on bringing these benefits to non-union workers doing the same work for less.” Strike-authorization votes that had been scheduled to take place yesterday and today were canceled, the union said.

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