The UFCW has been negotiating with employers across the country this year for the pay and benefits our members deserve as essential workers during a national health crisis. On Sept. 25, the UFCW announced a new agreement with Stop & Shop on hazard pay for 56,000 Stop & Shop associates represented by our union as COVID-19 cases continue to climb.
The agreement will provide retroactive hazard pay in the form of lump sum payments equal to 10 percent of all hours worked between July 5 and August 22, 2020. This hazard pay is in recognition for the ongoing efforts of these hard-working men and women to ensure families have access to the food and supplies they need during this pandemic. This agreement is in addition to the initial Stop & Shop hazard pay between March and July, as well as the two additional weeks of paid leave provided earlier this year if any workers become sick.
In addition to hazard pay, Stop & Shop has agreed to observe a moment of silence on Labor Day and Workers Memorial Day, starting in 2021, to recognize both the frontline workers lost to COVID-19 and the collective strength that union membership has provided to its associates.
UFCW International President Marc Perrone and Stop & Shop President Gordon Reid released the following joint statement:
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the U.S. in March, UFCW members and Stop & Shop workers have gone above and beyond to ensure that our stores have remained open to serve our communities’ essential needs. These workers have risen to the challenge and Stop & Shop deeply appreciates everything they have done in difficult circumstances – at work and at home – as they care for their neighbors and their families during a national crisis.
“Working in partnership when the pandemic began to take hold, the UFCW International and UFCW local unions together with Stop & Shop offered union members a temporary premium. When that pay raise expired in July, the UFCW local unions and members asked Stop & Shop to do what is right for grocery workers and UFCW members.
“Today, the UFCW and Stop & Shop are proud to announce a tentative agreement has been reached on a new premium that recognizes Stop & Shop workers for their incredible efforts. The UFCW wants to acknowledge Stop & Shop for not only recognizing its workers, but for remaining committed to work with the UFCW, America’s largest food and retail union, to better the lives of these dedicated workers and their families.
“Today’s agreement is a further testament that by negotiating in good faith, Stop & Shop and the UFCW have been able to achieve a real victory that is shared by the company, its customers, these communities, and the grocery workers who continue to serve.”