A tentative agreement has been reached between Albertsons Companies and workers at Albertsons, Safeway and Vons stores in Northern and Central California, avoiding a strike.

The deal delivers economic security, health care and pension improvements for 25,000 workers. The United Food and Commercial Workers, 8-Golden State, UFCW Local 5, and UFCW Local 648 announced the deal Sunday.

The tentative agreement includes wage increases, a secure retirement plan, health care benefits, and protection language for a safer and more respectful work environment.

The breakthrough followed five months of intensive negotiations and the threat of a walkout involving workers from the Grapevine to the Oregon border.