*Safeway, union resume Colo. contract talks Tuesday*

The Associated Press
2009-07-13 17:47:27.0

DENVER - Safeway and Colorado grocery workers are scheduled to head back to the bargaining table on Tuesday to try to reach a new labor contract.

Contracts for Safeway workers represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 expired May 9, and a contract extension expires Saturday.

UFCW Local 7 represents about 17,000 workers at Safeway, King Soopers and Albertsons across Colorado whose contracts all expired the same day.
The grocery chains are negotiating separately, but Safeway and King Soopers have an agreement that one chain can lock out employees if workers at the other chain go on strike.

Pension benefits and pay remain sticking points. The union also wants newer employees to receive the same pay and benefits as veteran employees.

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