The union representing more than 45,000 grocery store workers from Santa Barbara to San Diego voted Wednesday to authorize a strike against supermarket chains Albertsons and Kroger. No date has been set for a strike.

Workers at Albertsons, Pavilions, Ralphs and Vons grocery stores will begin preparations Thursday for a possible strike. Members of Local 770 of the United Food and Commercial Workers union will participate in sign-making sessions and conduct picket captain meetings at union headquarters in Koreatown,

About 45,000 grocery workers have authorized a strike at Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions stores in Southern California to protest unfair labor practices.

Workers at Albertsons, Pavilions, Ralphs and Vons grocery stores will begin preparations on Thursday for a possible strike.

Members of a union supporting workers at the Smith's and Albertsons grocery stores in New Mexico are set to vote on authorizing a strike.

More than 90% of voting United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135 members at Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions stores across County have authorized a strike if necessary, according to the union.

The union said the contract includes some groundbreaking wins, including the return of pensions to the meatpacking industry for the first time in nearly 40 years.

Workers at Grand Island’s JBS Swift meatpacking plant will get better pay, paid sick leave and a pension plan under a new contract between the packer and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW.