Vons grocery chain is hiring temporary workers in Southern California to brace for what could be the second strike in less than 10 years.
"We must prepare for the possibility of a strike," Vons spokesman Daymond Rice said in an email statement. "We will run our stores on a 'business as usual' basis."
Signs posted outside of Vons supermarket announce that due to a possible labor dispute, temporary positions at the store are now available.
A spokesperson for the Vons, Ralphs and Albersons groceries said a strike against any of the three chains would be a strike against all of them.
A workers strike in 2003 lasted over five months costing supermarkets an estimated $1.5 billion.
If a settlement between the grocers and their employees is reached, the temporary recruits will not be hired, said Rice, who described the decision as a "defensive measure."
Unionized grocery workers began voting Friday and will continue into Saturday to deliberate the latest offer from Ralphs, Albertsons and Vons, after over 50 meetings between the two parties.
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The latest clash between the grocery giants and their employees comes after healthcare offers were turned down by workers, claiming the plans would require them to spend almost half of their salaries to cover insurance costs, according to union officials.
But the grocery chains insist that the latest proposal would maintain most healthcare expenses at their current levels and cost workers $9 a week for single coverage, $23 for family coverage.
Grocers have already reached an agreement with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 on pensions, but issues of health care and wages remain unresolved after employees’ previous contract expired March 6.
Voting results are expected to be known Monday.
