This will be the third time a mediator has intervened to try to resolve the dispute between 70,000 union grocery clerks and the Vons, Ralphs and Albertson's supermarket chains. Wages and health care cuts are at the center of the disputes.

Both sides have declined to say whether progress has been made in the talks because of a news blackout. But the federal mediator who coordinated the most recent talks called the meetings "useful."

The strike began six weeks ago on Oct. 11.

Meanwhile, grocery clerks ralleyed Friday night.

Previous Stories:

• November 10, 2003: Grocery Strike: Both Sides Talking
• October 31, 2003: Union 'Making Life Easier' For Grocery Consumers
• October 22, 2003: Grocers: Wal-Mart Playing Part In Grocery Strike
• October 20, 2003: Strike Splits Small Town Between Stores, Workers
• October 19, 2003: Strike Takes Toll On Stores
• October 16, 2003: Economist: Strike Could Cost State $6M Per Day
• October 15, 2003: Lawyer: Union Lawsuit Has No Merit
• October 14, 2003: Grocery Clerks Continue To Picket
• October 14, 2003: Supermarket Strike Sends Shoppers Elsewhere
• October 13, 2003: Grocery Workers Strike, Locked Out
• October 10, 2003: Stock Up Before Supermarket Strike
• October 8, 2003: Supermarket Strike Around The Corner?