SoCal supermarket labor talks resume after recess

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_6334291

SoCal supermarket labor talks resume after recess
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 07/09/2007 04:07:43 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES—Three major supermarket operators and their Southern California employees' union resumed negotiations for a new contract on Monday amid preparations by the union take a key step toward a possible strike.

The talks follow a recess since the July Fourth holiday. Since then, the United Food and Commercial Workers has begun mobilizing its membership to craft picket signs and stockpile supplies in the event of a strike.

Rick Icaza, president of the union's Local 770 in Los Angeles and one of the negotiators, has said the union will cancel the automatic, daily renewal of its members' current contract sometime this week. Such a move doesn't mean workers would be on strike, but it would clear the way for the union to order a walkout.

"Unless we do it, I don't think we're going to get any movement on the part of the employers," Icaza said Monday.

FULL story at link.