by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

In a not unexpected move, UFCW workers overwhelmingly voted to give their union the authorization to call a strike, if negotiations fail. The vote was a landslide, with 95% voting for the authorization. The grocery workers are unified against the unfair offer by the big chains. They would much rather a fair contract be negotiated, but they are willing to strike to ensure they are able to earn a fair wage. It sounds like turnout was particularly strong. LAT:

Turnout at one location, Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, was heavy by 8:30 a.m., with the school's parking lot filled to overflowing and voters crowded into a stuffy auditorium for a pre-vote briefing by union leaders.

Of those who were polled shortly after their vote, only one said that he was financially prepared for a strike, but everyone interviewed was prepared to support a walkout if union leaders found it necessary.

It was only a few short years ago that they went through a long strike. The overwhelming vote for another potential strike underscores just how unified the UFCW members are right now. The current offer from the big chains is unacceptable.

"What I say at this point is that it is about principle," said Suzanne Demers, 44, a supervisor at Vons store 1623 in Redondo Beach, as she waited for her turn to vote.

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by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

I am absolutely buried in building out our information rich new feature on the presidential candidates. You my fair readers will have to put up with a linky post today and probably tomorrow too. After that, loads of good stuff, I promise.

Nunez introduced his AB 8 today, which is his health care plan. Here are is remarks on the subject. It comes from the new YouTube channel AssemblyAccess. It's like you are almost there, but with worse sound.

Watch Majority Leader Bass too

The implementation of the landmark AB 32 is chugging along. Weintraub has an update in today's column.

The grocery workers have dropped their NLRB complaint. This is part of an attempt by both sides to tone down the rhetoric and see if they can work things out. Neither side wants to see a strike.