Grocery Staff Told to 'Continue Working'

Last updated 10:36 a.m. Monday.

At 7 a.m. Monday, the grocery workers union issued a statement calling upon its 62,000 members to continue working, while negotiations with the management of Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons continued.

The statement from the United Food and Commercial Workers union said in part, "We are still at the bargaining table. Negotiations continued all night. Union negotiators are still at the table trying to negotiate a fair deal. Continue working until you hear from your union rep. We will update you as necessary."

Previously, union representatives had said that if no progress was made in negotiations by 7:10 p.m. Sunday, workers would strike.

On Sunday afternoon, some pointed to deliveries of perishables—such as baked goods, produce, meat and milk—at the stores as a positive sign. Clerks at two Ralphs and Vons supermarkets in Santa Monica said Sunday that the stores had not reduced their deliveries of perishables.

"We've heard that, and I think that does mean something," union spokesman Mike Shimpock told City News Service. "And if they start to move in the negotiations, we intend to stay at the table [and not call a strike]."

On Thursday, union officials served a 72-hour contract cancelation notice, meaning they would call a strike Sunday if no progress were made in the negotiations.

The main sticking point appears to be health insurance benefits. The supermarkets are asking employees to pay about $36 per month for individual benefits or $92 per month for family coverage; however, union officials say the supermarkets need to contribute more to a health-insurance fund, otherwise the fund will run out in less than 16 months.

No progress has been made on wages.

"They're sitting on their piles of cash, and they're throwing us quarters," Shimpock told City News Service. According to union representatives, the three chains made $1.5 billion in profits last year.

The three stores have been soliciting applications for replacement workers, and Ralphs representatives said the chain would close all its affected stores, including one in Redondo Beach, if workers go on strike. Stores would be reopened on a case-by-case basis.

Albertsons has also indicated that the chain may close some of its stores in the event of a strike.

A 141-day lockout in 2003-2004 cost the chains about $1.5 billion and cost many workers their life savings.

City News Service contributed to this report.