About 45,000 grocery workers have authorized a strike at Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions stores in Southern California to protest unfair labor practices.

Strikes only happen when companies push workers past the point of no return. No worker wants to give up a paycheck in order to get the raise and benefits they feel they deserve. In many cases, even when management and labor negotiate a favorable deal,

Southern California grocery workers overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike, seeking better wages, healthcare and more staffing from Kroger and Albertsons.