Grocery store workers averted the first strike since 1989 this week by ratifying a new contract with 95 percent of the vote.

The negotiations were between United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21, UFCW 81, and Teamsters Local 38 and the big grocery chains, Safeway, Albertsons, QFC and Fred Meyer. The contract also covers workers at many independent grocery stores in the region, including Top Foods.

The major grocery stores and the UFCW have been negotiating for nine months. Workers had voted in November to authorize strike after rejecting a contract offer. The tentative agreement was reached just before Thanksgiving.

The union bargaining team had recommended approval.