Grocery workers in Oregon, SW Wash. poised to strike

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Grocery workers from across Oregon and southwest Washington have voted to approve a strike if negotiations with four of the region’s largest supermarket chains deadlock.

Oregon Public Broadcasting reported Monday that the union representing more than 20,000 regional grocery workers has been pushing Albertsons, Fred Meyer, QFC and Safeway to increase workers’ wages.

Jeffery Temple, spokesman for Fred Meyer Stores, says the company is offering larger wage increases than those approved in the last two contracts.

He says it’s also offering a pension and benefits package that allows most employees to pay $30 a month or less for health care.

The union says to avoid a strike, its members will need to see an offer of a “notable” wage increase on the table.

Both sides meet again on Thursday.