SoCal Grocery Workers OK Strike Authorization

Los Angeles - The largest local representing Southern California grocery workers has given negotiators the power to call a strike if contract talks with major store chains break down.

Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 approved the strike authorization in a vote Wednesday. The local, which has about 20,000 grocery employee members, hasn't released the vote count but says there was an overwhelming majority.

There's no word yet on results for six other UFCW locals. A few are still voting Thursday.

The locals represent more than 60,000 workers who've been working under a contract with Vons, Ralphs and Albertsons that expired last month.

If the strike authorization's approved, it doesn't mean a walkout is imminent. Contract negotiations resume next week.

Representatives of the supermarket chains have called the vote premature.