Overview

• Negotiations have dragged on for nine months with no substantive agreement as talks continue this morning under a federal mediator.
• The unions representing about 25,000 Safeway employees have set a 12:01 a.m. Saturday strike start if no deal is reached by Friday at midnight.
• Workers are demanding higher wages, fully funded health care and pension benefits, and firmer scheduling protections in a new contract.
• Union leaders say Albertsons has repeatedly rejected proposals without explanation or counteroffers, stalling progress at the bargaining table.
• Safeway and its parent company say they respect collective bargaining rights and are preparing contingency staffing plans in case of a strike.