Safeway’s refusal to agree to fully fund pensions for its workers has become the main sticking point in negotiations, reports UFCW 400. The union met with Safeway negotiators Monday for the first time in over a week and negotiations are continuing. “In the meantime,” said Local 400, “we are continuing to prepare for a strike at Safeway. We are distributing letters to neighboring businesses at shopping centers to ask for their support and to inform them that picket lines will appear in front of Safeway stores.” A strike vote is scheduled for March 5, when union members will also vote on the tentative contract agreement already reached with Giant.