Grocery chain in Calif, Nev reaches contract deal

(AP) A supermarket chain reached a tentative contract deal with workers who went on strike earlier this month at stores in Northern California and Nevada, officials said Tuesday.

The United Food and Commercial Workers union said picket lines would immediately be withdrawn from all Raley's and Nob Hill stores.

As one of the last large family-owned grocery chains, it will be great to have everyone back working again, said Mike Teel, president of Raley's.

The parties did not provide any details of the settlement. However, the union said it was able to retain one of its most important benefits a union-run health plan.

The grocery chain and UFCW returned to the bargaining table over the weekend in San Francisco following the start of the strike on Nov. 4.

The two sides had been at odds over wages and benefits, including Raley's proposal to eliminate health care benefits for retirees eligible for Medicare.