Industry

DETROIT -- A Kroger supermarket here this morning became one of the first establishments in the country to accept the new $20 bill. The bill was introduced by the U.S. government and local leaders.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Union leaders in Southern California said today they would 'unequivocally recommend' to members that they vote to reject a final proposal from Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons, and authorize a strike that could commence this Saturday, Oct. 11.

WASHINGTON - C. Manly Molpus, president and c.e.o. of the Grocery Manufacturers of America here, yesterday called on the U.S. and Canadian governments to work for greater harmonization of regulatory standards to promote increased trade and efficiency in the movement of goods across the border.

ST. LOUIS -- Members of the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 655 will take a strike vote Oct. 7 after rejecting a new contract proposal offered by the three largest grocery chains in the area Tuesday.

AMSTERDAM -- Ahold will announce its audited consolidated fiscal year 2002 financial statements and restated financial statements for fiscal years 2001 and 2000 on Oct. 2.

ST. LOUIS -- Employees represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655 from Schnuck Markets, Shop n' Save, and Dierbergs today are expected to announce whether they'll accept a tentative contract with the chains, according to a report that aired on NewsChannel 5 KSDK-TV.

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Three of Southern California's largest grocery chains face a possible strike by seven locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers when their contracts expire on Oct. 5, according to local reports.

WASHINGTON - A proposed Mexican regulation banning bulk exports of Tequila and requiring all bottling to occur south of the border is a violation of Mexico's treaty obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement and World Trade Organization, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States charged on Wednesday.