The parties met on March 15 for the opening session to
discuss a new agreement in Seattle, Washington. After introductions were
made, UFCW members presented a comprehensive non-economic proposal to the
company. The company asked for time to review the proposal in its entirety
and said that it would be prepared to respond at the next scheduled meeting
on March 28, at which time it would also present the UFCW with the company's
non-economic proposal.