Grocery workers give strike authorization

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Unionized workers at five grocery store chains in the Akron-Canton and Cleveland areas voted Tuesday night to authorize a strike if negotiators fail to reach agreement on a new contract.
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 880 represents about 13,000 employees at Fishers Foods, Giant Eagle, F.W. Albrecht, Tops and Heinen's.
Union members voted 93.3 percent in support of the strike, according to a release from the union.
The voting took place at a meeting at the International Exposition Center, where local President Thomas Robertson briefed members on the status of negotiations with the Major Food Industry Negotiating Committee, made up of the five chains. About 4,000 union members attended.
Employees are working under a contract that expired Sept. 11. Both sides also have agreed not to discuss issues, although health care, pensions and wages are believed to be the main areas of concern.
"Despite the length and intensity of these negotiations, little progress has been made," Robertson said Monday in announcing the authorization vote. He also said contract talks were continuing.
Negotiations are over three 3-year contracts, one each for employees in the Canton-Akron and Cleveland areas, and a third for butchers and other meat department employees.