25,000 Workers Remain Prepared to Strike throughout Northern and Central California Amid Expanding Customer Support in Fight for a Fair Contract

Following five months of stalled contract negotiations, UFCW 8-Golden State, along with UFCW Locals 5 and 648, announced a temporary extension of the strike deadline after the Federal Mediator overseeing talks recommended additional time for bargaining. Union negotiators agreed to delay the strike, originally set to begin at midnight, citing incremental progress toward a tentative agreement members can review and vote on.

“This recognition of our pressure and member solidarity is working,” said UFCW 8-Golden State President Jacques Loveall, UFCW Local 5 President John Frahm, and UFCW Local 648 President Dan Larson in a joint statement. “Our members remain mobilized and ready, but as long as talks are advancing toward a fair deal, we will continue to bargain in good faith.”

While negotiations are ongoing, approximately 25,000 grocery workers from the Grapevine to the Oregon border remain poised to take action if talks collapse. UFCW 8-Golden State members in Kern, Inyo, and Mono Counties, covered under a separate but expired agreement, are participating in joint bargaining efforts and stand ready to strike as well.

Union priorities in these negotiations include:

• Meaningful improvements in wages;
• Sufficient funding for improved health care and retirement benefits;
• Stronger scheduling protections and other on-the-job safeguards.

Despite repeated union efforts, the employer’s failure to resolve these core concerns has already led to overwhelming strike authorization votes.

Message to the Community “We are deeply grateful for the support from our communities,” the presidents added. “If talks fail and the company forces a strike, we ask you to honor our picket lines and shop at other Union stores until an agreement is reached. Your solidarity with us strengthens our resolve and brings us closer to justice at work.”

If bargaining progress stalls or collapses, updated strike details will be released.

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“This recognition of our pressure and member solidarity is working,” said UFCW 8-Golden State President Jacques Loveall. “Our members remain mobilized and ready, but as long as talks are advancing toward a fair deal, we will continue to bargain.”