Monthly Archives: July 2025

On June 11, members of UFCW Local 152 who are employed as clerical workers at the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office in Cape May County, N.J., ratified their first union contract. The ratification was accepted by the Board of County Commissioners on June 24th, officially giving the workers a voice on the job and securing wages and benefits.

The clerical workers joined UFCW Local 152 in October of 2024 because they wanted a voice in the workplace and better wages and benefits. This first union contract addresses those concerns.

With the implementation of the new three-year agreement, these workers are no longer “at-will” employees and have secured provisions like holidays, paid time off, the grievance and arbitration procedure, and seniority in a legally protected document.

Additionally, workers at the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office will now receive guaranteed annual wage increases, including retro pay back to the beginning of the year. The contract added premiums on top of their base pay for certifications, abilities, and educational experience. The contract also defined sick leave parameters and pay, including a sick leave incentive program and buyback program.

On July 3, the UFWC responded to the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

“The UFCW is deeply disappointed that Congress passed this damaging, ugly bill that ignores the needs of working families and makes cuts that are not just cruel – they are economically reckless,” said UFCW International President Milton Jones in a statement.

“Both Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid do much more than help families make ends meet. These programs support union jobs in grocery stores, meatpacking plants, and health care facilities across the country. 80 percent of SNAP dollars are spent at traditional grocery stores where our members work and feed their communities. When families lose access to food assistance, grocery sales drop. That means fewer hours, fewer jobs, and more strain on workers all along the food supply chain, including meatpacking and food processing workers. Rural communities that rely on meatpacking and food processing jobs will be devastated.” 

“Similarly, UFCW members working in hospitals, nursing homes, and health care facilities depend on Medicaid funding to care for patients and keep their doors open. These cuts will lead to more layoffs, more burnout, and fewer staff to care for those in need. This bill delivers real harm to working people, all while extending tax breaks for the wealthy. UFCW members keep this country fed, healthy, and running. They deserve better than cuts to the very programs that support their work and their communities.”