ST. PAUL, Minnesota—Some 125 grocery workers, organized by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1189, and supporters rallied here December 2 as they prepare for contract negotiations set to begin in January. After the protest they picketed on a nearby busy street corner. The union contract covers more than 4,500 workers at stores in the east Twin Cities metro area. “They talk about doing more with less,” said union steward Alex Kunan. “Everybody is burnt out. Part-timers are on 10 hours less a week.”

—TONY LANE