UFCW NorCal Unions Continue Negotiations with Safeway; Strike Authorization Votes...

UFCW NorCal Unions Continue Negotiations with Safeway; Strike Authorization Votes Begin Tomorrow

SAN FRANCISCO--(Business Wire)--Negotiations between four UFCW Unions in Northern California and
Safeway Inc. are continuing around the clock.

The current contract, which affects 25,000 UFCW members at some
300 stores, expires on Dec. 1. If a settlement is not reached by
midnight tonight, members will begin voting to authorize a strike as
early as Saturday in meetings through Monday evening. A strike could
start any time after that.

Negotiators report some progress in the talks, but the sides are
still far apart on economics.

"Both parties are bargaining in earnest and are working hard to
achieve an agreement before the contract expires," said Union
Presidents Ron Lind (UFCW Local 5, www.ufcw5.org), Jacques
Loveall (UFCW 8-Golden State, www.ufcw8.org), Mike Borstel
(UFCW Local 101, www.local101.com) and Michael Sharpe (UFCW
Local 648, www.ufcw648.org).

Last month, the unions agreed to a new four-year contract with
Save Mart (Lucky in the Bay Area), Raley's and Bel Air Markets.

That concession-free agreement included the largest
across-the-board wage increase in the history of Northern California
grocery industry contracts. It also improved medical benefits and
reduces or eliminates medical deductibles. As before, the UFCW members
will not be required to pay premiums for health care.

The four Union locals are negotiating under the banner of UFCW
Solidarity, representing workers from Fresno to the Oregon border and
from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe.

UFCW 8-Golden State
Jacques Loveall, President
916-786-0588, ext. 201
818-416-9400
or
UFCW Local 5
Ron Lind, President
408-772-6609

Copyright Business Wire 2007