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News and Updates
Negotiations
September 18, 2017
Local 1000 Kroger Workers Ratify New Contract
On August 25, 9,500 members of UFCW Local 1000 who work at Kroger stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area ratified a new contract by an overwhelming margin. The UFCW Local 1000 members work as grocery clerks and in the front end of the store, as well as in the bakery, produce, and deli departments.
The three-year agreement includes substantial wage increases over 36 months. The contract protects health insurance benefits for employees, spouses, and children, as well as fuel clerks, and retirement benefits. The contract also improves language pertaining to grievances, progressive discipline, overnight premium, educational leave, personal holidays, transfers, minimum hours, shop stewards, discrimination, and new hire orientations.
September 18, 2017
Albertsons Customer Service Workers Join Local 368-A
On September 8, customer service workers at Albertsons store #126 in Emmett, Idaho, voted to join UFCW Local 368-A. The election was won by the workers by a 2 to 1 margin, and they join their coworkers in the rest of the store who already enjoy the benefits of a union contract with UFCW Local 368-A.
The workers decided to join UFCW Local 368-A so that they could have the ability to negotiate better wages and benefits, especially when it comes to health care. Now, these workers have a voice in the workplace, and will be able to sit down with company management and negotiate the better wages and benefits they have earned and deserve.
September 11, 2017
RWDSU/UFCW Local 875 Sodexo Workers Ratify New Contract
Sodexo workers in Attleboro, Mass., who are members of RWDSU/UFCW Local 875, recently ratified a new contract. The Sodexo workers work at Attleboro High School.
The three-year contract includes big pay increases of 15 to 22 percent over the course of the agreement. Workers will also receive an extra half day of paid time off for Christmas Eve, an allowance for safety shoes and uniforms, and a fourth week of vacation earned in less time. An important win was moving workers into the RWDSU/UFCW health plan, which New England Joint Board President Tina Buonaugurio said,“saves workers significantly, giving them even more of a raise.”
“Sodexo is well known for their anti-union tactics, but workers stood together and won big,” Buonaugurio added.
September 11, 2017
Local 7 Safeway Pharmacy Technicians Ratify First Union Contract
Safeway pharmacy technicians in Loveland, Colo., who are members of UFCW Local 7, ratified their first union contract in June.
The three-year contract includes a health care plan that provides much better coverage than the company’s plan at a fraction of the cost, and wage increases. In addition, these workers will now have a grievance procedure, a defined pension plan, and all pharmacy technicians will have the opportunity to reach the certified pharmacy technician level and pay. With this new contract, the Safeway store in Loveland is now wall to wall union.
August 22, 2017
CVS Workers in Southern California Ratify New Contract
After months of negotiations, over 5,000 members of UFCW Locals 5, 135, 324, 648, 770, 1167, 1428, and 1442 who work at over 350 CVS stores in Southern California ratified a new contract last week.
The four-year contract includes wage increases and better access to more affordable health care in the newly organized stores. The new agreement also includes improved scheduling practices, more protections during layoffs, and a process for part-time employees to become full-time based on seniority.
August 14, 2017
Local 152 Bradley Beach Workers Ratify New Contract
On August 3, 23 members of UFCW Local 152 who work for the borough of Bradley Beach in Monmouth County, N.J., ratified a new contract by an overwhelming margin. The Bradley Beach workers are employed in the borough’s public works department, municipal court, police dispatch, and code enforcement. The borough of Bradley Beach approved the ratified agreement on August 8.
The three-year contract addresses a pressing issue in the public sector in New Jersey—health care contributions. Under Governor Chris Christie, Chapter 78 was passed into law, which called for an increase in public sector workers’ contributions toward their health care and pensions. Despite this hurdle, UFCW Local 152 successfully negotiated a reduction in members’ health care contributions to 20 percent by the third and last year of the agreement.
August 7, 2017
Local 152 Beef International Workers Ratify New Contract
On July 7, 87 members of UFCW Local 152 who work at Beef International, Inc. in Pennsauken, N.J., ratified a new contract.
The five-year contract includes a ratification bonus, yearly wage increases, and continued 100 percent employer paid health care over the life of the agreement.
April 17, 2017
Local 655 Holten Meat Workers Ratify New Contract
On April 11, members of UFCW Local 655 who work at Holten Meat in Sauget, Ill., ratified an industry-leading new contract by an overwhelming margin. The new three-year contract resolves many of the work-life issues that forced Holten Meat employees to make the difficult decision to go on strike on March 18.
“Today is victory for our hard-working members who love their jobs, but love their families more. This union contract will not only make Holten Meat a better place to work in Sauget, it will make Holten Meat a better company,” said UFCW Local 655 President David Cook. “Make no mistake, we want Holten Meat to succeed, and that is why this contract is so important—it recognizes that no company succeeds in the absence of its hard-working employees and members. Best of all, UFCW members at Holten Meat now have a better contract that lets them not only support their families, but advance their careers at work.”
The new contract lets experienced members have more control over their lives and move to the shifts they need to spend more quality time with their families. The contract also allows members to advance their careers, and establishes a new labor and management committee at Holten Meat that will regularly meet to solve problems in the workplace cooperatively.
“We stood together and spoke out because we believe that our lives matter. None of us should have to choose between spending time with our family and doing our job—we should be able to do both,” said Trinetta Kitchen, a seven-year veteran of the production line at Holten Meat. “This contract will not only help ensure we can earn a better life, it recognizes our hard work and will make Holten Meat a better and more successful company.”
April 17, 2017
RWDSU/UFCW Local 108 Gateway Shuttle Bus Drivers Ratify First Union Contract
RWDSU/UFCW Local 108 members who work as drivers for the Gateway shuttle bus in Newark, N.J., ratified their first union contract earlier this month. The shuttle bus drivers joined RWDSU/UFCW Local 108 last year to improve their pay and treatment, and the new contract provides raises, added vacation time, and more overtime opportunities.
“The Gateway Company has grown and become very profitable over the years, and workers deserved the improvements they are getting with their first contract,” said RWDSU/UFCW Local 108 President Charles N. Hall, Jr.