On Nov. 24, over 3,500 members of UFCW Locals 8-GS, 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442 who are essential pharmacy workers at Rite Aid locations across Southern California ratified a new contract. The agreement was reached after months of negotiations and active participation from thousands of pharmacists, pharmacy clerks, and technicians in Southern California.
Key provisions of the three-year contract include:
• Significant wage increases each year of the contract for all workers. Initial increases will be retroactive to July 21, 2024.
• New longevity rates at 10 and 15 years.
• Protection of health care and pension benefits. Rite Aid has agreed to fully fund all health care and pension benefits with no changes for the duration of the contract.
• Protections to full-time and part-time guaranteed hours that the company tried to reduce.
• Elimination of lunch waiver practice.
The seven UFCW Locals released the following statement:
“Today, by ratifying this contract, Rite Aid workers secured historic wage increases for every member, protected our health benefits and secured our pension. After countless hours at the bargaining table, the hard-working UFCW members stood together for their families and each other and won a strong contract. This contract is a concrete and direct result of the tireless work of the member-led bargaining committee and our members’ engagement in the fight. Our members are fighting for a more promising future, and this contract will help to achieve that goal.”