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Workers who are employed in the Meat and Seafood Department at the Fred Meyer store in Eagle River, Alaska, recently joined UFCW Local 1496 for a better life. The nine workers are employed as meat cutters and meat and seafood wrappers, and joined our union family because they wanted a voice in the workplace and the better wages and benefits that come with a union contract, including a pension. This is first department at this store to become unionized.

“The big reasons for me wanting a union was the pension, a more fair wage, and having someone I can go to when I have issues with management,” said Chris, who works at the Fred Meyer store in Eagle River.

“I look forward to getting to know each of these workers and working with them during negotiations so that they can have a meaningful contract that all hard-working families deserve,” said UFCW Local 1496 President Fred Mutchie.

There are eight Fred Meyer stores in Anchorage and the valley, including Eagle River. With this new unit, UFCW Local 1496 now represents Meat and Seafood Department workers at seven Fred Meyer stores in the area. 

Over 100 members of UFCW Local 152 who work at Meadow Lakes Senior Living in East Windsor, N.J., ratified a new contract on July 14 that strengthens wages and benefits. These members are employed in the dietary, housekeeping, and maintenance divisions, and as drivers and certified medical assistants at the facility.

The three-year contract includes annual wage increases each year for the life of the agreement, and all members will receive a ratification bonus. Members with more than five years of employment will receive a “longevity increase,” which is additional compensation on top of their typical hourly wage. This increase was put in place to reward senior members’ loyalty and dedication. Finally, the shift differential for the second and third shifts was increased.

The contract also includes six paid holidays. Previously, the members at Meadow Lakes Senior Living were required to use their earned time off bank for unworked holiday pay, and this change gives all members more paid days off per year. Finally, all members will now have a higher annual shoe allowance, giving workers a wider range of approved footwear to choose from.

Members of the Negotiating Committee included Director of Collective Bargaining Dan Ross; Director of Field Services Peggy Kelly; Union Representative Chad Brooks; Union Representative Peter White; Shop Stewards Rich Bell, Treena West, Stacie Chew and Irma Lamadrid; and committee member Rachel White.