California Grocery workers to vote on strike today, Hybrid contract is also on ballot

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070624-9999-1m24grocery.html

Hybrid contract is also on ballot
By Jennifer Davies and Keith Darcé
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS

June 24, 2007

Grocery workers across Southern California are meeting today to vote on whether to expand their strike authorization against the region's major supermarket chains.

In addition to the strike vote, union members will vote on a hybrid contract proposal cobbled together from offers previously made by the supermarket chains on individual contract issues.

The United Food and Commercial workers union called for the vote Thursday after the supermarket chains failed to meet the union's deadline for offering a comprehensive contract proposal.

Workers at the Ralphs and Vons chains will participate in the strike vote because Albertsons workers authorized a strike against their chain in March.

Even if a strike is authorized, a walkout would not occur immediately, because either side must give 72 hours' notice before canceling the current contract. The union could also choose to continue negotiations.


FULL story at link.