Union, Raley’s Reach Pact; 3 Grocery Chains Remain

Raley’s has reached a tentative agreement with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, leaving three other supermarket chains facing a late negotiating deadline tonight. Neither side released details of the agreement, which was reached Friday, but Raley’s President Bill Coyne said the negotiations “dealt with some very complex issues. We worked very hard to negotiate with UFCW Local 588 to come to a settlement that is in the best interest of our employees and the future success of our company.”

The tentative pact, which will be reviewed by employees this week, covers about 6,500 workers in stores operated by Raley’s and two subsidiaries, Bel Air and Nob Hill, from Modesto to the Oregon border.

The announcement left Safeway, Albertsons and Ralphs stores facing the possibility of a work stoppage like the strike and lockout that idled about 59,000 workers last fall and early this year in Southern California.

On Monday, Local 588 President Jack Loveall plans to announce the status of talks with the three remaining chains.

The union cut off an indefinite contract extension last week and announced today’s negotiation deadline, saying it was “committed to maintaining the finest supermarket contract in the industry.”

“That means no employee-paid premiums for healthcare,” said Loveall. “That means no permanent two-tier system of wages or benefits.”

The markets contend they need contract concessions to keep up with low-price outlets such as Wal-Mart.

The Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service announced Friday it had joined the talks.