Spokesmen for both sides in contract negotiations that brought 21,000 Puget Sound-area grocery workers to the brink of a strike say a tentative agreement has been reached. That prevents a threatened walkout at four major grocery chains.
Union spokesman Tom Geiger and Allied Employers spokesman Scott Powers announced the agreement by email shortly before 5:30 p.m. Monday. Union workers had been set to walk out at 7 p.m. Monday if no agreement was reached.
Stores involved include QFC, Albertsons, Fred Meyer and Safeway in King, Snohomish, Pierce, Kitsap, Mason and Thurston counties.
No details are being released in advance of a union vote. Geiger says the union bargaining team is unanimously recommending acceptance.