The union representing about 25,000 Safeway workers in northern and central California extended a strike deadline early Saturday, citing “negotiation progress.”
Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers had threatened to go on strike if a new contract agreement wasn’t reached by midnight Friday.
UFCW 8-Golden State, UFCW Local 5, and UFCW Local 648 said they agreed to a temporary extension of the deadline at the request of a federal mediator. The announcement came on social media not long after the midnight deadline had passed.
“We are working towards negotiating an agreement that avoids a work stoppage and appreciate the support of the customers and the communities where they work,” according to a joint statement issued by UFCW Local 5 President John Frahm, UFCW 8-Golden State President Jacques Loveall, and UFCW Local 648 President Dan Larson.
“Our members remain mobilized and ready, but as long as talks are advancing toward a fair deal, we will continue to bargain in good faith,” they said.
Safeway, with 243 stores in California, is owned by Albertsons Companies. Safeway operates 13 stores in San Francisco, 14 in San Jose, six in Oakland and six in Santa Rosa, according to the company’s website.
The union said the extension of talks didn’t signal “satisfaction” with the current state of negotiations, “but reflects a strategic decision to allow additional time for talks to progress under federal mediation.”
The union said it is seeking “meaningful” improvements in wages, funding for healthcare and pension benefits. Besides monetary issues, the union said it is seeking stronger scheduling protections and on-the-job safeguards.
No new deadline was announced.
Source: NBC Bay Area
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