Federal mediator called in to speed up grocery-union talks

A federal mediator has been asked to help move along contract talks between Southern California’s three major supermarket chains and the union that represents most of the workers in their stores.
Leaders of the United Food and Commercial Workers met with representatives from Albertsons, Vons and Ralphs for two days this week. A union negotiator said some progress has been made, but the two sides are far from an agreement on the major issues of wages and benefits.
UFCW represents about 60,0