Grocery talks hit snag

This time it's over how many years would be required to reach top pay. The union wants seven years; the three major chains - Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons - are sticking with eight. It's hardly the basis for walking off the job, but it could delay an agreement between the chains and the United Food and Commercial Workers. There's been considerable progress on a bunch of other areas, and that led to rumbles about a deal being ready this afternoon, but an online LAT story, citing sources, says contract talks might drag out a while longer.