On June 14, 41 members of UFCW Local 21 who work at the Valley Medical Center Pharmacy in Renton, Wash., ratified a new contract. The three-year contract includes guaranteed wage increases during each year of the agreement, a new wage scale for retail pharmacists, and certification pay. In addition to grocery store and retail workers, UFCW Local 21 represents over 18,000 health care workers across Washington State.
Local 919 Vernon Cafeteria Workers Ratify New Contract
On May 17, 40 cafeteria workers in Vernon, Conn., who are members of UFCW Local 919 ratified a new contract by an overwhelming margin. The members work in eight public school cafeterias in Vernon.
The three-year contract raises wages, and improves benefits, including paid time off. The contract includes a new dental benefit with no cost increase for health insurance. In addition, the cafeteria workers continue to receive overtime after 35 hours of work instead of the proposed 40 hours.
“We have represented these workers for 25 years and have built a solid relationship,” said UFCW Local 919 President Mark A. Espinosa. “We are proud that each contract has always been a gain, and health insurance cost increases to our members have largely been avoided.”