SAN DIEGO -- An economist with Los Angeles' Economic Development Corp. predicted that the supermarket strike could cost the state's economy $6.3 million a day.

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The shorter the strike, the better for everyone -- particularly the unions, 10News reported. Right now, the unions are enjoying a lot of support as shoppers refuse to cross the picket line. Business at nonunion stores is up by as much as 40 percent, while Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons are seeing business cut in half.

Jerry Butkiewicz, a union spokesman, said, "This is about relationships, something those greedy corporations don't understand."

Butkiewicz is upbeat about the community support but historically, labor unions have not always fared well in San Diego.

The air traffic controllers' strike at Lindbergh Field was a disaster for labor. Strikes at Nasco, General Dynamics and Solar Turbine ended badly for the unions. However, in 1997, UPS drivers were victorious. And, the janitors' strike downtown ended with workers getting their wanted health insurance, Butkiewicz said.

"You win a strike when you have public support, and we had office workers coming out to give money to the janitors," Butkiewicz told 10News.

Mark Bennett, a labor-management lawyer, said the longer the grocery strike lasts, the worse it will be for the strikers.

"The companies aren't trying to break the unions now, but what if they say that they can get along without the union employees?" Bennett said.

Butkiewicz is not convinced by that argument. He said more time on the line will give unions more time to build support.

"The gap between the rich and poor is growing. People see it, and they don't like it. That's what's growing here," said Butkiewicz.