SoCal Grocery Workers Say OK to Strike

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 members – which represent more than 20,000 grocery workers in Souther California -- overwhelmingly approved yesterday’s strike authorization vote giving their contract negotiators the option to call a strike if necessary.

The local said in a post on its website that despite receiving Union proposals as early as January, Ralphs, Albertsons, and Vons have yet to respond with a comprehensive proposal. Their only proposals have been significant takeaways in overtime, health care, and retirement benefits for their workers.

“This vote is a message to the corporations that own Ralphs, Vons, and Albertsons that our members are unified in demanding a fair contract negotiated now,” the post said. “Enough delays and games.”

The post added that negotiations will continue next week.

According to published reports, there were no results mentioned for six other UFCW locals representing Southern California, and that a few are still voting Thursday.

The locals represent more than 60,000 workers who've been working under a contract with Vons, Ralphs and Albertsons that expired last month.