Posts Categorized: Distillery

Wine Merchandisers at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits in New Castle, Del., recently joined UFCW Local 2D for a better life.

The seven merchandisers, who are responsible for providing in-store support and marketing and promoting products, joined our union family via a card check election because they were concerned about lack of respect from the company, not receiving wage increases for three years, and working side by side with temporary workers who were making a higher hourly rate. The members where very engaged in organizing and negotiating a contract in order to have a better life and respect in the workplace.

 “I am proud to represent the merchandisers of Southern Gazer’s Wine and Spirits in New Castle, Delaware, and help them achieve a contract that is respectful,” said UFCW Local 2D President Stephen T. Booras.

About 270 members of UFCW Local 186D who work for The Wine Group in Ripon, Calif., recently ratified a new contract that strengthens wages and benefits. The Wine Group is one of the largest wine producers in the world, and these members process wine from the grape to the bottle, including shipping the product.

The four-year contract includes wage increases which are retroactive to April 1, 2022, and adds a 1.9 percent increase for the first year. All members will receive an across-the-board wage increase of 4.5 percent  retroactively for the first year. Two classifications of workers will receive an amount above the 4.5 percent wage increase as adjustments to their pay. Thereafter, wage increases are 3.5 percent for each year, compounded on the prior wage increase. The contract also includes an attendance bonus during the next year, paid quarterly, as well as one additional paid holiday. In addition, the contract improves the paid sick leave process and swing shift and graveyard pay, and makes it easier for workers to progress to higher paying positions.

“When the workers are organized, the fight turns to success,” said Milton Rosado, an employee at The Wine Group and member of UFCW Local 186D. “If you don’t fight for what you want, don’t cry for what you’ve lost.”

“We are stronger together,” said UFCW Local 186D President Dee Chacon. “United we stand, divided we fall. Union is strength.”