SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Grocery workers in Southern California have voted to authorize a strike against companies Ralphs and Albertsons, which includes the banners Vons, Pavilions, and Safeway. While there is no set date by the United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW) to actually strike, the vote now allows the group to stop working at will. 

Union President Mickey Kasparian has commented that the UFCW, which represents about 47,000 grocery employees in Southern California, is committed to meeting with these companies this month for more talks, and after that, “they’ll see,” he says.

"We don't want to strike. We understand the impact on consumers, our communities and our members," said Rick Icaza, President of UFCW Local 770 in a statement. "But the out-of-state corporations and hedge funds controlling the stores may leave us no choice. Despite profits of over a half-billion dollars, they are still demanding our workers give up retirement and health care security and forego raises for two years. That's not fair, and it's not right."

Other officials from the union have said that grocery chains want to cut costs in anticipation of the state minimum wage rising $15 an hour by 2020, according to The San Diego Tribune. The current starting salary at the chains is $10.10 an hour, the source reports.

The retailers originally were seeking cuts in holiday pay and ways to reduce the companies’ additional contributions to pensions, as well as a requirement for entry-level employees to work longer before advancing to higher pay grades, according to Local 135 officials.

"Ralphs is committed to reaching an agreement with union leadership at the one place an agreement can be reached—the bargaining table," the company said in a statement. "A strike authorization vote is premature and only serves to cause concern for associates and customers.” 

Albertsons and Vons Spokesman Carlos Illingworth said it remains committed to negotiating a contract “that is fair to all parties,” The San Diego Tribune reports.

Things will likely change as more negotiations take place, so keep up with the latest at AndNowUKnow.