Differences between local and national union officials appear to have delayed or thwarted a grocery worker strike that seemed inevitable about three weeks ago.

The United Food and Commercial Workers International in Washington, D.C., has not granted a final sanction that would allow Colorado union members to strike.

“Still waiting for a decision,” said Laura Chapin, spokeswoman for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 7, on Tuesday.

Local 7 represent about 17,000 grocery workers in Colorado. That includes employees of City Market and Safeway in Grand Junction.

The withholding of the final sanction seems to come down to the way union officials, on both ends, are viewing the strike issue.

Local 7 president Ernest Duran Jr., said in a Nov. 6 letter to International president Joseph Hansen, the group has backtracked on its previously stated position on the issue.

Duran pointed out Local 7 met all requirements mandated by the International to secure a final strike sanction. That included a two-thirds vote for strike and required paperwork. Those requirements were met last month.

Duran also pointed to comments made by International Regional Director Kevin Williamson, who apparently told some Local 7 members on Oct. 20 that all the requirements were met and a strike sanction could come within “a day or two.”

“It has been seventeen days and you still have not given an answer to those who pay us,” Duran said.

He also suggested Local 7 could lose leverage that a pending strike could bring before upcoming holidays.

“I firmly believe the corporations do not want a strike or lockout,” Duran said. “If they know we can go out before the upcoming holidays, I believe they will bargain seriously and a settlement can be reached.”

International spokesman Jim Papian responded earlier this week.

“We are taking a careful, serious look at the request,” Papian said. “A decision will be made when we finish the process, which, ultimately, is about securing the fairest and most equitable agreement for Local 7 members. It wouldn't be right to do otherwise.”

Safeway workers voted in October and September to reauthorize a strike. A strike could also trigger a lockout of union workers at City Market. Those workers previously turned down a long-term contract offer.

Should a strike occur it would mark the first since the 42-day strike and lockout in 1996 of workers at Safeway and King Soopers, the union said.

The union says grocery workers turned down the offers mainly because it falls short on a number of levels, such as pay and pension benefits. That includes slashing future benefit accruals to zero.

The Denver Post contributed to this report.

Reach Wyatt Haupt Jr. at whaupt@gjfreepress.com.