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Safeway and Northern California Grocery Workers Reach Tentative Deal to Halt Strike

Union representatives say the tentative contract achieved after federal mediation secures key benefits before ratification votes.

People shop at the Safeway grocery store on Broadway in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, July 27, 2025. The store closed just before midnight due to possible strikes that would occur after that time. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
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Overview

  • Negotiations spanned five months under federal mediation, including a late-night extension of the July 25 strike deadline that paused an imminent walkout.
  • The tentative contract secures meaningful wage increases, enhanced job protections, strengthened pensions, increased healthcare contributions and fair scheduling improvements.
  • More than 20,000 unionized Safeway workers had authorized a strike that threatened picket lines at over 200 stores across Northern California.
  • Union leaders hailed the agreement as a hard-earned victory and said unwavering member solidarity won improved contract terms.
  • Ratification votes are expected in the next few days, with union leaders expressing confidence that members will approve the pact.