Raley's strike into 2nd day | News

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (AP) - A strike at Northern California-based Raley's supermarkets has entered its second day.

Employees continued picketing on Monday outside many of the chain's stores. They went on a strike a day earlier after marathon negotiations with management over a new contract failed.

STORY: Raley's employees strike for first time company's 77 year history

The two sides are at odds over a proposed wage freeze, elimination of premium pay for Sunday shifts and health care benefits. Raley's says it needs to cut costs in the face of a weak economy and competition from nonunionized companies that also sell groceries, such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Union officials say the chain has not agreed to a full audit of its finances, and has been bargaining in bad faith since contract negotiations began.

Raley's says all of its more-than 100 stores in Northern California and Nevada remain open.