February 6, 2004

Lucerne Ice Cream Plant Bargaining Update

Last week your negotiating committee had face to face meetings with Safeway for three days.

While 70,000 retail food employees continue to fight Safeway?s greed on picket lines in California, your bargaining committee continues to say NO to ridiculous company concessionary proposals.

Much of the discussion last week focused on health and safety issues. Line speeds and equipment were two areas of discussion. Health and Safety problems do not appear to be as serious in the Ice Cream plant as they are in the warehouse, where about 40% of workers do not believe they work in safe conditions.

Your bargaining committee has proposals to ensure that worker health and safety is always given the highest priority in the Ice Cream plant.

Bargaining will recommence on Feb 25.

(Please note ? this and all other bargaining updates are without prejudice)