Posts Categorized: Grocery

On June 27, more than 13,000 members of UFCW Local 3000 who work at Kroger and Albertsons brand stores across King, Snohomish and Kitsap counties in Washington ratified a strong, new contract.

Key provisions in the two-year contract include:

•           Highest-ever Average Annual Wage Increase: $2.70 over two years.

•           Protected health care plan with the employer contribution of an additional 55 cents per hour, while maintaining high quality, low-cost member benefits.

•           GM Pay Equity: Fred Meyer and QFC General Merchandise workers finally catch up.

•           Staffing Solutions: First-ever enforceable staffing language to fill more shifts in the store and new options to pick up extra hours.

•           Doubled the funding for an expansion of our workforce training program.

“Strong wage increases, fully funded health care, and a major breakthrough on staffing—this is a great contract that sets us up for bigger and better contracts in the future,” said Sam Dancy, a UFCW 3000 grocery store member at Kroger-owned QFC.

Kyle Doherty, a UFCW 3000 meat department member at Albertsons-owned Haggen added, “We’re fired up to return to the table sooner than ever—and this time with thousands more workers with us.”

On June 29, nearly 3,000 members of UFCW Local 663 who work at UNFI Cub Foods and Haug’s Cub Foods grocery stores in Minneapolis ratified a new contract.

The three-year contract includes higher wages for all employees, a significant investment into the workers’ pension plans, and increased hours for part-time workers.

Under the new contract, pension plans will be increased by employer contributions of 8.8 percent year over year. UNFI’s contributions are estimated to be over $30 million during the term of the agreement. This contract win will put retirement security on a better footing for thousands of workers and their families throughout the industry.

Full- and part-time workers won wage increases and improved wage scales. Over the term of the contract, full-time wages will increase 9.5 percent to 13 percent, with workers earning at least $3.15 an hour more at Haug’s and $3.00 an hour more at UNFI. All part-time workers will also receive wage increases, with the UNFI part-time wage scale going up to $22.35 by the end of the contract.

At UNFI, workers will also now have limitations on involuntary store transfers and improved scheduling protections. Part-time workers won a 33 percent increase in guaranteed minimum hours by the end of the contract. Where they had been working on skeleton crews previously due to severe cuts in hours, this increase in hours will improve financial stability for Cub Foods’ workforce and improve customer service.

“Members organized, fought for, and won a contract that raises standards for essential grocery workers,” said UFCW Local 663 President Rena Wong. “These workers had incredible support from customers and leaders like Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Senator Bernie Sanders. Together, we are ensuring good jobs for all Minnesotans.”