The UFCW locals agreed to the extension on two conditions: first, that Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons must agree to concrete dates to continue negotiating; and second, that any wage increases negotiated be retroactive to the original expiration date of March 5th. The contract extension will expire at midnight on March 19th.

Southern California locals say that the goal has always been to have a fair contract in place by the expiration of the current agreement to avoid inconveniencing members and the public. But the employers have so far engaged in needless delaying tactics and refused to respond to the members' proposals or schedule meetings to continue the negotiations process. However, the contract extension helps to avoid a strike in the short term. 

Southern California members are encouraged that the employers have finally agreed to hard dates for meetings, which will be scheduled by a federal labor mediator, and they hope to finally begin making real progress towards a fair contract. After all, if Stater Brothers and Gelson's can offer a fair contract, then Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons certainly can.