Second grocery chain signs deal with union

Second grocery chain signs deal with union High-end grocery chain Gelson's has become the second Southern California supermarket chain to reach an agreement with its workers union, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday, removing the threat of a strike at another regional grocer as talks continue with the three national players.
   The Gelson's contract follows a deal last month between Stater Bros. of Colton and the United Food and Commercial Workers. Union officials say the contracts give them ammunition in negotiations with Supervalu Inc.'s Albertsons chain, Safeway Inc.'s Vons and Pavilions, and Kroger Co.'s Ralphs, where they are pushing for higher wages for all members and improved health care coverage for recent hires.
   The Gelson's deal provides another picket-free option for shoppers should negotiations between the union and the three majors disintegrate into a work stoppage.
   The current contract is set to expire March 5.
   Both Gelson's and Stater Bros., who are not part of union negotiations with the three larger chains, avoided pickets and won new customers during the long industry strike and lockout three years ago by agreeing ahead of time to abide by the final settlement between the union and the three large chains.
   Negotiations between the major employers and the seven union locals are still in their initial stages, according to people familiar with the talks.