BUSINESS MEMO: UNION-GROCERS TALK

After the Dierbergs grocery workers rejected its contract, union officials and Dierbergs Markets will go back to the bargaining table.

Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655 last week voted 298-284 to reject the contract.

The union's contract with Dierbergs expired June 11. It covers some 2,700 Dierbergs employees working in 18 stores. The agreement was rejected after two days of negotiations.

Late last month, workers at Schnucks, St. Louis area's largest supermarket chain, approved a new three-year contract and averted a possible strike.

Union officials say they were waiting until the Schnucks contract was approved before talking with Dierbergs Markets. Local 655 is supposed to negotiate with the supermarket chain Shop 'N Save after the Dierbergs contract is settled.