UFCW PACTS AT FIVE CHAINS TO EXPIRE IN '97

NEW YORK -- United Food and Commercial Workers union labor contracts with Kroger, American Stores, Safeway, Smith's Food & Drug Centers and Fred Meyer Inc. are due to expire next year, affecting more than 1,300 supermarkets, according to a report by Salomon Bros. here.

Salt Lake City, is slated to have agreements expire at nearly 360 Acme units in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey plus at 177 Jewel stores in Illinois.

In the West, Safeway, Pleasanton, Calif., is due to have UFCW contracts lapse at 120 stores in Wyoming and Arizona, the report said. Smith's, Salt Lake City, is slated to have agreements expire at 55 stores in Arizona, including 28 Smitty's units. Fred Meyer Inc., Portland, Ore., is due for contract expirations at 16 Oregon stores.