Update for 5:15 p.m., Oct. 21
Union representatives are reporting a tentative agreement has been reached with several regional grocers, likely averting the strike that was supposed to start at 7 p.m. tonight, Oct. 21.

UFCW 21 made the following announcement via their Facebook page:

"We are very pleased to announce that today at 5 PM the union member bargaining team from UFCW 21 & 367 and Teamsters 38 reached a tentative agreement with the national grocery chains in contract negotiations.

"This tentative agreement has been unanimously recommended by the union member bargaining team. Details will not to be released until after union members themselves have had the opportunity to review the tentative agreement and vote on it. The times and locations of those vote meetings will be announced in the coming days after arrangements have been made to schedule the votes."

Assuming union members vote the new agreement through a strike will be averted.

Over 20,000 unionized grocery store workers from UFCW21, UFCW 367 and Teamsters 38 made official notice at 7 p.m. on Oct. 18 that they will begin a strike 72 hours from that time.

Union reps worked on a new contract with employers including Safeway, QFC (both with local stores in West Seattle), Albertson's and Fred Meyer spanning several Washington counties.

Update for Oct. 21 - 7 hours remaining
It's into the final countdown with seven hours remaining before over 20,000 grocery workers potentially walk out of their jobs to oppose a contract with employers.

QFC and Safeway stores in West Seattle will be impacted if the strike goes through.

"Our hope is that the employers will come to their senses and avoid a strike," a UFCW 21 spokesman wrote on the local union branch's website.

For more background, please see below.

Original post on Oct. 19
Grocery workers give 72-hour notice to strike; Local QFC and Safeway stores may be impacted

Over 20,000 unionized grocery store workers from UFCW21, UFCW 367 and Teamsters 38 made official notice at 7 p.m. on Oct. 18 that they will begin a strike 72 hours from that time (Monday evening at 7 p.m.).

Picket lines will form and stores will hire replacement workers unless a new contract is agreed upon with employers including Safeway, QFC (both with local stores in West Seattle), Albertson's and Fred Meyer spanning several Washington counties.

Union representatives have said negotiations are falling short on a number of sticking points including reduced holiday pay, wage freezes and cuts to sick days and healthcare plans.

There is still a chance union reps and employers will reach an agreement before the Monday 7 p.m. deadline, but be prepared for the possibility of picketing workers.

The unions are encouraging those in support of their cause to shop at alternative stores and pharmacies during the strike. A map can be found here.

The last time grocery workers went on strike was 1989 and they were out for nearly 90 days.