Supermarket workers approve Stop & Shop contract

HARTFORD Jim Riley, secretary-treasurer of Local 328 in Providence, R.I., says members of five locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers representing nearly 40,000 workers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island overwhelmingly approved the contract in voice votes Sunday.

The agreement, which the union said was a solid victory in a weak economy, raises hourly wages and maintains pension and health benefits.

A spokeswoman for Stop & Shop said the company would not immediately comment.

The two sides had extended the contract beyond its expiration Feb. 21, but the union last week ended the contract, paving the way for a possible strike.