Grocery strike authorization.

Southern California grocery workers voted Sunday night to authorize a strike against Vons and Ralphs, six months after contract negotiations with three major chains began, according to union leaders. Daily News.

"The vote was a mandate to authorize a strike," said Rick Icaza, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770. Icaza called the results "preliminary" and did not release specific tallies. Turnout was about 50 percent, Icaza said.

The union already authorized a strike against Albertson's. The vote gives union leaders and negotiators the power to call a strike at any time. The chains agreed to lockout all workers if one market is targeted for a strike.

Members also voted down a contract proposal from the markets Sunday.

Both sides have been bargaining since before a three-year contract covering almost 70,000 grocery clerks expired March 5.

The union members were also voting on some of the markets' contract proposals for pay and health coverage.

Most of the vote count was expected to be completed by late Sunday, although some workers in inland areas were scheduled to vote early Monday.