UFCW Local 5, which represents about 25,000 Safeway employees in the Bay Area and Northern California, said that if an agreement isn’t reached by midnight Friday, grocery store workers will walk off the job.

"This is about fairness and respect for hard-working, frontline members who keep our communities fed and our stores running," said Jacques Loveall, president of UFCW 8-Golden State in a statement. "We’re calling on Safeway-Albertsons to do right by union members and agree to a contract that reflects their value and dedication."

Thousands of Safeway employees across the Bay Area could go on strike Saturday if a new labor agreement isn't reached by midnight Friday.