Over 40 members of UFCW Local 919 who work at Burlington Coat Factory in New London, Conn., ratified a new contract on Jan. 21 that strengthens wages. These workers are employed as cashiers, stockroom clerks, and sales associates and are the only unionized Burlington Coat Factory workers in the country. UFCW Local 919 has represented this unit since 2002.
The one-year agreement includes a significant increase in differential pay when a member of the bargaining unit is promoted from part-time to full-time. The contract also includes ratification raises that bring members at or above the upcoming minimum wage increase in Connecticut that is scheduled to take place in July.
“We are proud and honored to represent the workers in New London, the only unionized Burlington Coat Factory out of some 600 stores for almost 20 years,” said UFCW Local 919 President Mark Espinosa. “Our members have consistently received guaranteed raises every year, along with the protection of a contract that their counterparts in the non-union stores lack.”