Boston, MA - Union members have given Stop & Shop another week to avoid a looming strike.  The 40,000 member unions have been working without a contract since Saturday.

Management and union officials have agreed that no work stoppage can go into effect until after midnight Saturday. 

A spokesman for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local union 1445 said talks have gone on for over a month with no progress.  Union members voted unanimously in all three states to support a walk out.  The Stop & Shop strike is supported by local 328 ufcw as well as local 371.

Sticking points in the negotiations include management insisting on that union workers increase contributions to their health insurance and pension plans as well as restricted annual wage increases.  Management is insisting that union workers accept bonuses in lieu of wage increases.

The Stop and Shop stores in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut will remain open this week pending negotiations.