Monthly Archives: February 2026

Approximately 22 workers in the Meat Department at the Market Street store on Unser Blvd. S.E., in Rio Rancho, N.M., voted unanimously to join UFCW Local 1564 on Jan. 20. This marks the first department at this Market Street location to unionize with UFCW Local 1564. Market Street is a subsidiary of Albertsons.

The workers, who are employed as meat cutters, meat wrappers, and package meat wall-deli and
seafood / butcher block clerks, cited firsthand experience with union representation as a key reason for organizing. Some of the employees previously worked at stores represented by UFCW Local 1564 and shared their experiences regarding the better wages, benefits, and workplace protections that come with a union contract. UFCW Local 1564 built on this momentum during the organizing campaign, which included one-on-one conversations with the workers about the advantages of union representation.

“Albertsons opened this new store in April of 2025, and roughly one-third of the employees came from UFCW Local 1564 represented stores—so they knew what they had and soon realized that the non-union benefits did not come close to matching up with UFCW benefits,” said UFCW Local 1564 President Greg Frazier. “They also had a good experience with representation and seen the value of belonging to a union. The best thing we did was give them a little time to see the difference and then move quickly.”

Approximately 20 members of UFCW Local 152 who work at the Bloc Dispensary in Waretown, N.J., ratified their first union contract on Dec. 19.

The workers, who are employed as patient care advocates and inventory coordinators at the cannabis dispensary, contacted UFCW Local 152 in the summer of 2024 to learn how they could become part of our union. The group voted by majority card check to be represented by UFCW Local 152 later that year, and contract negotiations started shortly thereafter.

After months of negotiations, the three-year contract lays a strong foundation for future negotiations and includes the following fundamental protections:

•           Job Protection: Members are no longer “at-will” employees, and termination must have just cause.

•           Grievance Procedure: These workers now have access to a four-step grievance procedure, a formal way for them to raise concerns or complaints about their employer or working conditions.

•           Seniority: Establishing provisions to recognize workers with more time and experience with the company.

•           Successorship Language: Workers are now protected in the event of a sale or merger.

The contract also guarantees considerable yearly wage increases, as well as a one-time ratification bonus and store credit for all employees. In addition, the contract secures their affordable health care benefits, recognizes paid holidays and paid sick leave, and guarantees their employee discount.