Negotiators for union workers at major grocery chains in the Puget Sound area announced a last-minute agreement that averted a strike that was set to begin Monday evening.
United Food and Commercial Workers Locals 21 and 367, representing about 21,000 workers at Safeway, Albertsons, QFC and Fred Meyer stores in Kitsap, Mason, Thurston, Pierce, King and Snohomish counties, announced that their bargaining team had reached a tentative agreement on a new contract about two hours before workers were set to walk off the job at 7 p.m. on Oct. 21.
In a statement posted on the Stand With Our Checkers Facebook page, the union said no details of the contract would be released until members have a chance to review and vote on the proposed deal, which the bargaining team unanimously recommended for approval. The statement said meetings would be scheduled soon for voting. read more »