Talks in Grocery Dispute Continue

Negotiations in the Southern and Central California supermarket strike stretched through their 12th day Sunday as grocery store and union bargainers worked to end the long dispute.

More talks were expected today.

Details of the parties’ progress were undisclosed; federal mediator Peter J. Hurtgen has imposed a news blackout. But analysts say the duration of these sessions -- the longest since the strike and lockout began more than four months ago -- bodes well for a settlement.

The United Food and Commercial Workers union has been on strike against Safeway Inc., the parent of Vons and Pavilions, since Oct. 11. Kroger Co.’s Ralphs and Albertsons Inc., which are bargaining jointly with Safeway, locked out their UFCW workers the next day.