SAFEWAY ABOUT TO NEGOTIATE vs

8 UNIONS (REPRESENTING 16 THOUSAND WORKERS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA), ARE SET TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS WITH SAFEWAY ON A NEW CONTRACT. LEADERS OF THE GROCERY CHAIN HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR ABILITY TO CONTINUE GIVING HEALTH CARE COVERAGE WITH NO PREMIUMS OR PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS. STIFF COMPETITION FROM NON-UNION GROCERS SUCH AS TRADER JOES, WAL-MART, TARGET, AND WHOLE FOODS, HAS CUT THEIR PROFITABILITY, FORCING THEM TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO CONTROL COSTS. THE UNION VIEW IS THAT THE AVERAGE GROCERY EMPLOYEE EARNS 20 THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR, AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO SHARE HEALTH COSTS. THE EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFITS PACKAGE IS EXPECTED TO BE THE LEADING DISAGREEMENT IN NEGOTIATING A NEW CONTRACT. BOTH SIDES ARE HOPING TO AVOID A REPEAT OF THE RECENT 140-DAY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STRIKE.