by
<p><b>Depositary</b><br>Director General of the International Labour Organization
Negotiators for 5,000 St. Paul-area grocery workers and their employers are to begin contract talks today, and the union says it thinks the grocers may seek concessions on health insurance.
Bernie Hesse, spokesman for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 789, said union members at more than 50 east metro grocery stores absorbed more than $1 million in costs last year after a union-management committee amended their health plan by raising prescription co-pays and shifting other costs.
"We have already tightened our belts,'' Hesse said.
A spokeswoman for Supervalu Inc., corporate parent of Cub Foods, declined to comment on any issues, except to say, "We are looking forward to getting the negotiations process under way.''
Besides Cub Foods, other grocers involved in the St. Paul-area talks are Rainbow Foods, Jerry's Foods, Lund Food Holdings, Kowalski's, Festival Foods, Coopers and several independent operators.
Local 789's contract expires March 5.
The St. Paul talks come a year after several thousand Minneapolis-area grocery workers ratified a three-year contract. Their pact at UFCW Local 653 fended off health insurance concessions but gave management a one-year wage freeze and no raises for many part-time workers.
Health care coverage also has been a major issue in grocery union negotiations across the nation. About 70,000 Southern California grocery workers were engaged in a strike and lockout over the issue from October 2003 through February 2004.
Local 789 President Don Seaquist said he is "cautiously optimistic'' his union can settle its negotiations without a strike.Pioneer Press/Scott Carlson
