Monthly Archives: May 2022

On April 7, CVS pharmacists in Long Beach, Calif., joined UFCW Local 324 for the better wages and benefits that come with a union contract. The nine pharmacists joined our union family because they were concerned about insufficient wages and health care benefits, as well as safety issues. This is the third CVS organizing win for UFCW Local 324, which also represents CVS workers in Tustin and Rancho Santa Margarita.

“We’re proud the pharmacists from Long Beach elected to join UFCW Local 324 to have a voice on the job and a say in their future,” said UFCW Local 324 President Andrea Zinder. “Pharmacists’ voices are important to hear to ensure working conditions are improved, pharmacists receive higher benefits and wages, and California’s pharmacy patients are kept safe.” 

In addition to UFCW Local 324, the UFCW has organized several other units of CVS workers in California, including CVS workers in San Francisco, who are members of UFCW Local 648; CVS workers in Murrieta and Fontana, who are members of UFCW Local 1167; and CVS workers in San Mateo, who are members of UFCW Local 5. CVS workers in Ontario are members of UFCW Local 1428; CVS workers in Spring Valley are members of UFCW Local 135; and CVS workers in Reseda are members of UFCW Local 770. The UFCW represents over 12,000 CVS workers nationwide.

On April 28, approximately 8,000 members of UFCW Local 1529 who work at Kroger grocery stores in Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky and Arkansas ratified a new contract that improves wages and benefits.

Key provisions of the five-year contract, which was ratified by a majority of the members, include an increase in wages across all job brackets and a ratification bonus, as well as an increase in part-time minimum weekly hours. The contract also protects health insurance benefits and the pension plan, increases funeral leave and personal days, and improves holiday pay and vacation schedules. In addition, the contract includes a letter of understanding to address safety and emergency issues in the stores; doubles night hourly premium ($1.00 to $2.00); adds an additional sales volume wage bracket for department heads, leads and premium positions for higher volume stores; and adds a wine consultant lead with an hourly premium based on sales volume.

“It has been a long time coming, but a change came that was worth the wait,” said Gail Burns, who is a lead grocery clerk at Kroger store #486 in Memphis, Tenn. “All members gain something.”

“I’m glad to finally get an agreement where the members are reaping some of their rewards for all their efforts over the past two years,” said UFCW Local 1529 President Lonnie Sheppard. “The wage increases were the highest we have negotiated, but Kroger must do more. Kroger must make adjustments on their profits made from our members’ efforts. They are the ones that made these profits possible.”