Grocery Workers Rally For New Contract, Health Care

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Dozens of grocery store workers marched from a Vons in Hollywood to an Albertson's in Los Feliz to demand a fair and timely union contract while avoiding major health care increases.

The group was joined by several religious leaders and delivered letters to Vons and Albertson's management.

In April, 62,000 United Food and Commercial Union workers at Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons voted to authorize a strike over health care. The union says its members are being asked to pay up to $10,000 more each year to maintain their premiums, deductibles and co-pays.

Vons says they have reached a tentative pension agreement with the union. The grocer said it pays the majority of health care costs and is asking the unions for workers to increase
their weekly health care contribution from $7.50 to $9.

The United Food and Commercial Union's previous contract expired in March. Negotiations for a new contract are still underway.