Ralph's Market

LOS ANGELES - Disgruntled customers here have filed at least four proposed class actions against Ralphs Grocery Co. and its parent, the Kroger Co., over a hotel stay promotion the grocery chain offered but apparently did not deliver to some qualified customers.

LOS ANGELES - The union that represents 70,000 striking and locked-out grocery workers in Southern California told federal mediators yesterday that it wants to jump-start negotiations with three major supermarket chains.

LOS ANGELES - The Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke to striking grocery clerks at a rally here yesterday, saying their strike was part of a wider struggle by workers across the country to fight employers' efforts to shrink wages and benefits.

LOS ANGELES - The strike by 70,000 Southern California grocery clerks entered its second week on Sunday, with no new negotiations in sight, according to local reports.

Still busily blanketing the U.S. with stores, the largest retailer is also becoming a major presence in countries around the globe. So far, its prospects are bigger than its problems.

LOS ANGELES - Kroger Co.'s Ralphs, Safeway Inc.'s Vons and Pavilions, and Albertsons hired replacement workers to keep their stores open Sunday as thousands of striking grocery workers picketed outside.

LOS ANGELES - Supermarket chains and union leaders in Southern California agreed to meet in federal mediation on Friday as thousands of grocery clerks voted to authorize a strike if the mediation fails, the Associated Press reports.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Union leaders in Southern California said today they would 'unequivocally recommend' to members that they vote to reject a final proposal from Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons, and authorize a strike that could commence this Saturday, Oct. 11.