L.A. Labor Federation Will Support UFCW Action

LOS ANGELES -- A group of labor unions in Southern California said yesterday its members would honor picket lines should area clerks go on strike or be locked out if they are unable to negotiate new contracts with the area's three major supermarket chains. The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor said its more than 800,000 members would also mobilize for demonstrations, boycotts and food drives if necessary. The federation includes more than 300 unions, including the Teamsters, Service Employees International Union, American Federation of Teachers and Screen Actors Guild. Talks between seven locals of United Food and Commercial Workers Union and the three employers -- Supervalu-owned Albertsons, Kroger-owned Ralphs and Safeway-owned Vons -- are in recess this week and are scheduled to resume next Monday. Albertsons employees have previously voted in favor of authorizing a strike, should negotiations break down, and the chains have signed a mutual aid pact to lock out clerks if one of the three is struck. -- Elliot Zwiebach