Union reaches tentative pact with Raley's rival | News

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (AP) - The union on strike over contract talks with a major Northern California supermarket chain has agreed to new terms with a rival grocer.

Pleasanton-based Safeway announced on Thursday that it had reached a tentative contract agreement with the United Food and Commercial Workers - the same union on strike against West Sacramento-based Raley's. The deal still requires approval by the union's local units.

Raley's and Safeway compete for business in the Sacramento region.

Labor experts tell the Sacramento Bee the Safeway deal will put pressure on Raley's to also reach a deal with the United Food and Commercial Workers.

The union went on strike against Raley's on Sunday after last-ditch contract talks failed. But in a statement, Raley's disputed that the Safeway deal will have any impact on its labor dispute.