WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A major Northern California grocery chain facing a possible strike says it is losing millions of dollars a year and needs wage concessions from workers.

The Sacramento Bee reports (http://sacb.ee/StViah) that Raley's Chief Executive Michael Teel made the disclosure to employees in a recent memo.

Raley's is trying to head off the first strike in its 77-year history after saying last week that it would implement the terms of its final offer to workers this Thursday.

That offer includes a two-year wage freeze and the elimination of premium pay for Sunday shifts.

Union officials say Raley's has not agreed to a full audit of its finances, failing to make the case for the concessions.

Raley's operates 128 stores in California and Northern Nevada.

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