So Cal Grocery Workers Ratify Life-Changing Contract Agreement with Stater Bros.
LOS ANGELES — Members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Locals 8GS, 135, 324, 770, 1167, and 1428 voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new three year contract outlined in the tentative agreement reached with Stater Bros. on April 1. The deal, which includes significant wage increases, stronger healthcare, and protected pension provisions, was reached after months of negotiation and active participation by tens of thousands of California’s essential grocery workers.
The six UFCW Locals released the following statement on the contract ratification vote passage:
“Today, by ratifying this contract, Stater Bros workers have secured life-changing raises, better healthcare, and protected pensions over the next three years. After more than two years of risking their lives to serve California’s communities as essential workers – the members of UFCW stood together for their families and each other, and secured one of the most historic contracts in California labor history.
“This contract is a concrete and direct result of their tireless work. The pandemic and its deadly impact on our communities may not be over, but the essential workers who keep Stater Bros.’ stores running have proven it is possible to secure a fair deal when co-workers have each other’s backs. Together, our members are fighting for a better, more promising future and this contract will help achieve it.”
Key provisions of the agreement include:
- Historic wage increases
- More workers receiving benefits sooner
- Guaranteed hour minimums
This contract will go into effect immediately for over 13,000 essential grocery workers in approximately 170 Stater Bros. locations across Central and Southern California, with the start of the contract term retro to March 7, 2022. The ratification for UFCW Southern California Locals April 4, tentative agreement with Ralphs, Vons, Albertsons, and Pavilions will be completed the week of April 11.
Supermarkets Strike Averted: UFCW Grocery Store Workers Reach Tentative Agreement
LOS ANGELES – A tentative agreement was reached April 4, by the member-led bargaining committee representing seven United Food and Commercial Workers Union Locals across southern California and Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, and Ralphs.
The member-led deal in a UFCW press release said it includes significant wage increases, guaranteed hours for part time workers, stronger health benefits, improved store safety and a secured pension.
Once the members of the seven UFCW local unions covered by the agreement have an opportunity to review and vote, there will be more details on the contract. Nothing is final until the members decide and vote.