Workers ratify contract

Monday, March 1, 2004 | 9:41 a.m.

After a two-day vote, 86 percent of grocery workers who cast ballots approved the contract negotiated by the United Food and Commercial Workers union, the union said Sunday in a statement.

The contract covers 70,000 workers, a majority of them employed by Albertsons Inc., Kroger Co. -- which operates Ralphs stores -- and Safeway Inc., which operates Vons and Pavilions. It requires employees to pay for health benefits for the first time and includes two one-time bonuses for hours already worked. The contract offers no raises.

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