The decision by the United Food and Commercial Workers to authorize an unfair labor practice strike against San Bernardino-based Stater Bros. comes two weeks after the region’s largest grocery workers’ union agreed to a new a three-year contract with Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. and Cincinnati-based Kroger Cos.

A strike deadline was to midnight tonight as Safeway employees across Northern California wait for a decision on their contract negotiations.