Vons, Ralphs, Albertsons say they've reached tentative agreement with grocery workers' union on pensions

A day after unions representing truck drivers, firefighters, teachers and others pledged their support if Southern California grocery workers do decide to strike, Vons, Ralphs and Albertsons said they have reached a tentative agreement with the area United Food and Commercial Workers locals on the pension portion of the current labor contract negotiations.

Terms of the agreement, which was announced late Friday, were not disclosed.

The union’s contract expired in March, and members have already authorized a strike. Negotiations are being conducted under the supervision of a federal mediator, and are continuing.

Sources from both the employers and the UFCW have said the pension was, so far, less rancorous an issue on the table than others, including changes in employee contributions to healthcare.

-- P.J. Huffstutter