As of Monday morning, UFCW United (the five New England locals that jointly negotiate with Stop & Shop) have reached a tentative agreement with Stop & Shop for a new, three-year contract. This tentative agreement, which comes a week after a contract extension, means that for now, a strike by workers has been avoided.

Now, the agreement is awaiting legal review, and then ratification by the locals: Local 328, Local 371, Local 919, Local 1445, and Local 1459.

Two of the main elements of  the tentative agreement will deal with wages and healthcare, regarding coverage for part-time employees in particular. Although the Affordable Care Act penalizes employers for not providing health insurance to full-time employees, there is no such penalty for not covering part-time workers.  Therefore, the members involved in the joint negotiations have been fighting hard to ensure all workers are provided affordable coverage.  The UFCW also supports the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights.

Here’s to a fair contract that allows for good wages and benefits to the hard-working members at New England Stop and Shops.

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