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,

Workers at Albertsons, Pavilions, Ralphs and Vons grocery stores will begin preparations on Thursday for a possible strike.

The union representing more than 45,000 grocery store workers from Santa Barbara to San Diego voted Wednesday to authorize a strike against supermarket chains Albertsons and Kroger. No date has been set for a strike.