Workers view this contract as a victory not only for themselves, but also for their patients and for the future of their industry.

Beyond their workplace organizing efforts, these workers joined with Local 770 to help pass a city-wide voter initiative, Proposition D, that regulates medical cannabis dispensaries. Signing their first collective bargaining agreement is the next step in bringing dignity and order to a still volatile industry and ensuring the enforcement of basic labor laws and industry standards.

Workers also secured regular raises, paid time off and a grievance procedure. The contract language improves regulatory standards and defines respect in the workplace.

“My favorite part of the contract is having regular raises,” said Ksenia, a worker at LA Wonderland-Hot Zone. “It makes me feel more serious and secure about this job.”

The UFCW represents thousands of medical cannabis workers in six states and the District of Columbia. UFCW members in the cannabis industry work predominantly in dispensaries, coffee shops, bakeries, patient identification centers, hydroponics stores, and growing and training facilities.

“Maximus Coffee workers in Houston are simply trying to protect middle class jobs and their benefits after working hard to make their company profitable,” said UFCW Local 455 President Bill Hopkins.  “I hope this strike sends a strong message to the company and moves the negotiation process to a successful conclusion.”

“I’ve worked at this plant for 41 years and for Maximus Coffee since 2006 when they purchased the plant from Maxwell House,” said Robert Barnes.  “I haven’t gotten a real raise since 2009, and don’t know how I’ll be able to support my family if my wages and benefits are reduced.”

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The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries. The UFCW protects the rights of workers and strengthens America’s middle class by fighting for health care reform, living wages, retirement security, safe working conditions and the right to unionize so that working men and women and their families can realize the American Dream. For more information about the UFCW’s effort to protect workers’ rights and strengthen America’s middle class, http://www.ufcw.org/, or join our online community at http://www.facebook.com/ufcwinternational and https://twitter.com/UFCW.

UFCW Locals 21, 367 and Teamsters Local 38 grocery workers sent a strong message to the grocery chains by overwhelmingly voting to authorize a strike.

UFCW Locals 21, 367, and Teamsters Local 38 sent a strong message of solidarity to Fred Meyer, Safeway, QFC, and Albertsons last week when they voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. The 98 percent strike authorization vote is the workers’ latest step in their fight for fair treatment, pay, and benefits. Contract negotiations will continue on October 10 and 11. Workers say they expect the chains to now come to the table with a set of serious proposals.

“We hope the employers come to their senses and make a fair proposal that respects me and my co-workers and our families. But if they force us to strike, we are ready,” said Jessica Roach, a UFCW Local 367 Fred Meyer worker.

Workers have been in contract negotiations since March. Despite more than 12 bargaining sessions and a first round of informational pickets in July, Fred Meyer, Safeway, QFC, and Albertsons  have continued to stick to proposals that would stop providing healthcare coverage for employees working fewer than 30 hours a week, deny workers paid sick days, and cut pay – including for those who work on holidays.

More information and updates on the strike vote and bargaining situation at Fred Meyer, Safeway, QFC, and Albertsons can be viewed at http://www.ufcw21.org/

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Hundreds of CVS workers across the Los Angeles area have voted to join UFCW Local 770.

Since May, hundreds of workers at Los Angeles area CVS stores have stood together and joined UFCW Local 770, bringing the total number of newly unionized CVS stores to 50 and more than doubling the number of new stores under contract. These workers join more than 8,000 CVS workers in 11 states and the District of Columbia who are already members of the UFCW. By joining the UFCW, these workers have voted for a better life.

“I’m proud of the union contract that we negotiated,” said Araceli Flores, Cosmo’s Food worker. “This contract will mean more security for our families.”

The agreement provides $1.30 in wage increases over the life of the contract. In the negotiations, the bargaining committee focused on securing guaranteed hours and seniority rights that will provide workers with greater job security. The contract also guarantees seven paid holidays each year and between one and three weeks of paid vacation for the workers.

“From the beginning, this has been about respect. The relationship between workers and supervisors at Cosmo’s really changed when management had to sit down at the bargaining table with us and negotiate,” said Cosmo’s Food worker Guadalupe Muñoz.

UFCW Local 371 Cosmo’s workers celebrate signing their first contract that increases wages, and improves job security.

Cosmo’s Food Products, Inc., produces a variety of antipasto specialties under the Cosmo’s brand and for private labels.

ROANOKE, Va. – Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400 working at Kroger in the Roanoke area successfully ratified a new, three-year collective bargaining agreement that raises their living standards and maintains their health and retirement benefits.

“This agreement is as good as any in the country,” said Local 400 President Mark P. Federici. “Despite the damaging impact of the Affordable Care Act on the joint labor-management Taft-Hartley Funds providing health care to our members, we were able to maintain current benefits. And despite the still-struggling economy, we were able to negotiate actual raises and bonuses. Our members deserve all the credit for this strong contract, because their solidarity and activism is what made everything possible.”

The bargaining was challenging and protracted, largely because Obama administration regulations covering implementation of the Affordable Care Act deny Taft-Hartley Funds any of the benefits of the new law while imposing major new burdens. As a result, the previous contract, which expired on March 31, 2013, was extended for five months, though many other negotiations in the grocery industry have required extensions lasting a year or longer.

Highlights of the new agreement include:

• Increases in total compensation of nearly $2/hour over the life of the contract including wages and employer contributions to the health and retirement funds, plus bonuses.

• Maintenance of health and retirement benefits for current employees.

• Expansion of job classifications that increase the number of lead positions, creating new paths for career advancement and increases in earnings.

• Defeat of numerous management proposals for worker concessions.

“I couldn’t be more pleased that our Kroger Roanoke members will be able to work for the next three years under an industry-leading collective bargaining agreement that empowers them to continue improving their lives,” Federici said.

Hundreds of grocery workers will hold informational pickets at 38 grocery stores across the Seattle region to fight for workers’ rights.

Grocery workers from UFCW Locals 21, 367 and Teamsters Local 38 will be joined by co-workers, elected officials, and community supporters in informational pickets held across the Seattle region. Today, workers from Fred Meyer, Safeway, QFC, and Albertsons will hold actions at 38 different grocery locations to draw attention to their fight for fair treatment, fair pay, and fair benefits.

Grocery store workers have been in contract negotiations since March. Despite more than 12 bargaining sessions and a first round of informational pickets in July, the companies have continued to stick to proposals that would stop providing health care coverage of employees working less than 30 hours a week, deny workers paid sick days, and cut pay including for those who work on holidays. A potential strike vote is set for the end of September depending on the progress of negotiations.

Workers at John Morrell pork plants in S.D. and Ill. voted to ratify new contracts.

Recently, workers at John Morrell meatpacking plants from UFCW Local 304-A in Sioux Falls, S.D., and UFCW Local 1546 in St. Charles, Ill., voted to ratify new contracts. Local unions and members worked together and stayed in close contact during the negotiating process to raise the bar for workers at both local unions, ensuring workers at both locations made equitable gains.

The new four-year contracts increase wages and maintain affordable healthcare with no increase in weekly contributions from workers. Workers also ensured that the contracts protected seniority status.

Approximately 2,400 workers in the Sioux Falls plant and over 200 workers in the St. Charles plant are covered under the contracts. John Morrell Food Group is part of the Smithfield Foods family of companies. Workers at the St. Charles plant make dried sausage products and the plant in Sioux Falls is a full pork processing plant.

Kroger workers from UFCW Local 455 attend a meeting regarding their new contract that raises wages, improves benefits, and
preserves pensions.

“The wage improvements are great,” said Kroger associate Lenda Cadoree. “These hard working members truly deserve it and the other wage increases assure the company will be able to hire and retain quality employees in the future. All the employees I have discussed our new contract with have been extremely pleased with what we have accomplished together in our union.”

The contract sets a high bar for negotiations in the grocery industry and will help pave the way for other workers who are members of UFCW Locals 540, 1000, 1996, and 2008.

The contracts cover 2,300 ShopRite workers. Members have worked for nearly a year under an extension of their previous contract that expired last May.

ShopRite workers from UFCW Local 1776
ratified new contracts that include wage
increases and maintain benefits.

The new agreements run for two years through May of 2014, dating back to the expired agreements.  They include letters stating the intent of the union and the owners to begin talks on the next set of contracts later this year, so as to avoid contract extensions when the new agreements expire in 2014.

ShopRite is owned and operated by the Brown, Collins, R&R McMenamin, Colligas, Ammons and Zallie families in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania suburbs.

Congratulations to all the 1776 members who stood together and bargained for their rights!

Members at Americare participated in an extensive seven-month campaign featuring a contract survey that gathered information from hundreds of members and several informational pieces that communicated bargaining priorities and updates to the membership. A text blast system provided bargaining updates to a list of hundreds of core activists, a crucial link to a widely dispersed home-based workforce that lacks a common worksite.

Phone-banking and one-on-one sessions at workers’ homes also identified leaders in the bargaining unit who will later become “neighborhood stewards,” providing a union base for workers who don’t see each other at work or in break rooms.

Thousands of Americare workers from UFCW Local 348-S voted to ratify a new contract last week.

Dozens of members attended bargaining sessions. Workers also organized home meetings where aides gathered to discuss their work and their contract, and a rally when contract talks broke down in January that brought out dozens of aides, other UFCW locals, and allies.

Viscofan workers from UFCW Local 686 stand together with other UFCW locals to ratify a new three-year contract.

By standing together in the plant, and with other UFCW members, Viscofan workers in Danville, Ill. recently ratified a new three-year contract. The new contract includes better wages and safety improvements. Workers in the Danville plant manufacture casings used the in the production of meat products like sausages and deli meats.

The contract ratification follows a strike vote when bargaining between members and Viscofan broke down. At that point, workers reached out to their fellow UFCW members to continue their fight for a good contract and to show their solidarity.

Many of the plant’s customers are UFCW-represented meat processing facilities. The UFCW locals at those facilities signed on to a letter to the company where they work, informing them of the dispute at  Viscofan and warning that they might need to find other sources for their casings if the dispute were to continue.

UFCW Locals who stood with the Viscofan workers include 2, 5, 6, 7R, 8*, 75, 152, 204, 293, 304A, 324, 342, 400, 431, 440, 455, 538, 540, 711, 1473, 1546, and 1996. This great show of solidarity was a big source of support for the Viscofan workers and factor in their success. Congrats to all the plant workers on their new contract!

Shaquana Battle and George Miles both work for Martin’s Food Markets, which, along with Giant Food, Peapod, and Stop & Shop, is owned by the Dutch company Royal Ahold NV. The two Martin’s employees arrived in Amsterdam to attend the multi-national grocery retailer’s annual shareholders’ meeting, where along with other labor activists, they had the chance to confront Ahold’s CEO Dick Boer and the members of the Supervisory Board. The workers seized this unique opportunity to address the shareholders in attendance. Their message? That Ahold, as a multi-billion dollar company and 8th largest food retailer in the U.S, must end its double standard policy and afford all its employees the same rights, no matter where they work. While two out of three Ahold workers in the U.S. enjoy the benefits and protection of a union contract with the UFCW, the company denies the same right to Shaquana and her coworkers at Martin’s/Giant Carlisle.

Unfortunately, Shaquana and George’s words were met with “denial and evasion” from the corporate owners, according to an In These Times article. Shaquana, who has worked at Martin’s for five years now, noted that Mr. Boer replied to her statement very indirectly. She also was met with a similar response last year, when she attended the 2012 shareholders’ meeting. She has not however, let this discourage her: “they know we are here, and that we are not going away till we get a union,” she said of the Board of Directors.

Shaquana’s determination to protect workers’ rights is what makes her a great leader in the push of her coworkers to organize at Martin’s, and, partnering with the UFCW, she has helped to push back against Ahold’s aggressive anti-union initiatives.

As Ahold continues to grow, it has expanded further into the U.S and Europe. However, instead of continuing to foster a mutually beneficial relationship with workers like it does at its largely unionized Netherlands grocery chain, Albert Heijn, or at its unionized stores in the U.S., the company is investing in non-union stores, at the expense of its employees. The effect of the non-union store expansion is pressure on union stores to reduce pay and benefits of their workers, since their union contracts have allowed them to bargain for good wages and benefits.

An unfortunate example of this race to the bottom strategy was seen last year, when a large unionized distribution center in Jessup, Maryland was shut down in order to transfer the work to non-union sites, where the company can pay workers less.  This type of anti-union action was not an isolated event. This past march distribution center workers with the Dutch union group Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging (FNV) went on strike against Albert Heijn, because of the chain’s decision to now use temporary, non-union workers.  The use of the temp workers not only hurts the union workers, but has also led to mistreatment of the temp workers, who are often submitted to substandard working conditions. Ahold’s anti-union activity was again seen in the U.S. this year, when Stop & Shop recruited strikebreakers in order to scare the striking members of five UFCW locals in New England to make healthcare concessions.  Despite the chain’s attempts to bully its union workers, the striking workers stood together and bargained for a new contract, which protected their rights.

For George, frustration comes from his store managers in Richmond, who have discouraged him and his coworkers from joining the UFCW.  Having been a union member at his previous place of employment, George says “I know what a union is, and what a union does, so I don’t need these guys to tell me.”

According to George, a majority of his coworkers would like to join the union. George and Shaquana, along with many of their coworkers, know that a union gives them a voice and enables them to protect their rights as workers.

That’s why this was the third year that Shaquana has attended the shareholders’ meeting.  Shaquana and her coworkers are standing their ground and making their presence known, to tell Ahold that they are being closely watched and that the workers at Martin’s/Giant Carlisle will not rest until their rights to freedom of association are respected.

Keany Produce drivers in Landover, Md. overwhelmingly voted to join UFCW Local 400.

On Friday, March 29, Keany Produce drivers stood up for their rights, living standards, safety, and health and retirement security by voting overwhelmingly for representation by UFCW Local 400.

After years of frustration over low pay, inadequate benefits, inconsistent hours, and unfair treatment, many of the 140 drivers decided they needed to empower themselves through collective bargaining. After an intensive, months-long, worker-led organizing drive, they won in a landslide.

“Divided we fall, united we stand,” said Terrance Helm, a Keany Produce driver who spearheaded the organizing effort. “It’s been a collective effort and we all came together.”

“I love my co-workers,” he said. “I have such an appreciation for all the hard work and the sacrifices they’ve made, and the strength they showed in standing up to management.”

Today, in the wake of their victory, morale among the workers is at an all-time high, Helm observed, and they are looking forward to sitting down across the bargaining table with management.

“We’re here to fight until the end,” he said.

Keany Produce is a wholesale produce distributor located in Landover, Md.

Mott’s workers in New York signed a new contract for better wages, benefits, schedules, and respect on the job.

Local 220* Mott’s workers in New York have ratified a new contract. The contract contains wage improvements, signing bonuses, secures health care coverage for over 300 employees at the plant, and contains numerous language improvements that will help workers with scheduling and overtime issues.

In 2010, Local 220* members employed at the Mott’s plant in Williamson, New York were forced on strike by company greed. Workers waged a nationwide public campaign that exposed the greed of Motts and their parent company, Dr. Pepper/Snapple. Workers walked a picket line for several months, until Motts backed away from demands to gut their contract and do away with the workers’ retirement security.

Congrats to the Mott’s workers of Local 220* on their hard-earned contract!

UFCW Pilgrim’s Pride poultry workers visited Secrectary of Agricultre Tom Vilsack, OSHA, and members of Congress to lobby for better wages and worker safety in the poultry industry.

Last week, 12 Pilgrim’s Pride poultry workers from UFCW Locals 227, 455, 540, 1996, 2008, and RWDSU Mid-South Council traveled to Washington, D.C. to fight for changes in the poultry industry.

Despite the financial success experienced by many poultry companies, poultry workers continue to earn some of the lowest wages and face some of the most dangerous workplaces in the industry. Pilgrim’s Pride workers especially are suffering.

When Pilgrim’s Pride faced bankruptcy back in 2008, the company asked the workers to make concessions to keep their plants viable. Those workers with a union voice on the job were able to protect themselves from the most severe cuts, but had to sacrifice overtime pay and holidays to keep their jobs. The company is now posting record profits but the workers have not seen a raise in over two years, or had the overtime and holidays they gave up returned to them. And, Pilgrim’s Pride is holding workers up at the negotiating table and leaving contracts open.

“We work hard and work full-time and we just can’t make ends meet on these wages. My entire community is centered around the poultry plant. When workers aren’t making decent wages, the whole community suffers because people can’t afford to buy anything,” said Brian Rush, a Pilgrim’s Pride worker from the Batesville, Ark., plant and a member of UFCW Local 2008.

“On these wages, a lot of people can’t even afford to buy the product that they make. If a person makes $9 an hour and a box of chicken is around $60 – it all just doesn’t make sense,” said Carey Stanley, a Pilgrim’s Pride worker from the Live Oak, Fla., plant and a member of UFCW Local 1996.

Pilgrim’s Pride traveled to Washington, D.C. on a mission to tell their stories and educate lawmakers and policymakers about what it’s like to work in the poultry industry. They visited and spoke with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and his staff, ranking members of OSHA, as well as Senators Pryor, Kaine, Bennet, and Stabenow, and several members of the House of Representatives.
At the Department of Agriculture, members told Secretary Vilsack and key staff members about the struggles they face working full-time for a successful company that pays low wages. Workers also pointed out that Pilgrim’s Pride receives almost $75 million in government contracts, and is the second largest government poultry contract in the country. They argued that changes have to be made so that there is some balance and justice between company profits and worker wages.

“I brought my W-2 and my last paycheck to show them that I work 40-hour weeks and last year I made only $18,000. I work hard, my family makes sacrifices, and we are struggling so much,” said Idalid Guerrero, a Pilgrim’s Pride worker from the Lufkin, Texas, plant and a member of UFCW Local 540.

Workers then visited with Assistant Director of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels, Chief of Staff Debbie Berkowitz and additional staff of OSHA. In their meeting, workers discussed safety issues on the job, including dangerous ammonia leaks, the lack of decent medical care at the workplace, and the company not reporting injuries to avoid any lost-time reports.

The lobby day continued with workers visiting senators and representatives on Capitol Hill. There, workers educated members of Congress and their staff on the nature of the poultry industry, how workers are treated, and called for the necessary changes that the industry and union can make to turn poultry jobs into middle class, family supporting jobs. Workers also asked members of Congress to support a new federal study on the poultry industry in order to investigate further into worker wages and workplace conditions and bring the poultry industry issues to attention so that companies will begin to be held accountable and changes can be made.

Check out photos from the Lobby days on our Flckr! (Day 1 ,  Day 2)

Just last week, over 300 Tacoma Mall Macy’s workers in Washington who are represented by UFCW Local 367 ratified a new contract. The new three-year contract includes the elimination of the two-tier wage structure, annual wage increases for the thereafter rates, recognition of years of service for on-call associates in hours selection, and other positive changes.

Negotiations between Local 367 and Macy’s began on January 23, and went on through early March. Union members showed strong solidarity while working toward a fair contract.

“It was the Tacoma Macy’s members’ solidarity that enabled us to beat back the two-tier system, “ said Local 367 President Denise Jagielo. “Long-time members stood strongly together with new hires to end this unfair practice.”

The new contracts include:

• Wage increases per hour for full and part-time workers ranging from 95 cents to $1.62 over three years.

• Scheduling language that protects current part-timers working over 30 hours per week from any ACA-related pressure to cut hours.

• Mechanisms that keep part-time workers in the existing Taft-Hartley benefit plans for ancillary benefits while investing in health savings accounts for part-timers to use in conjunction with a plan on the state exchange.

• A number of new structures, depending on the collective bargaining agreement or state, for part-time, new hires to connect with their union for health coverage.

Ratification meetings were held in all five local unions this past weekend and the contract was overwhelmingly accepted by members across New England.

The five locals are a perfect example of what we can all achieve when we stick together in solidarity.

“We are pleased that through the dedicated work of our negotiating team, we were able to present a comprehensive offer to our membership. While all contract negotiations represent compromise, I am confident that we stood our ground on our membership’s core issues and values,” said Dan Clay, president of UFCW Local 555.

Congratulations to all members on the new contract, and the hard-earned benefits it includes.

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.

For more information, click here.

Stop and Shop supermarkets has now begun putting ads in local newspapers to hire temporary workers, or strikebreakers, in the event that a strike will take place- an insult to the company’s hardworking union members. These tactics are designed to scare and intimidate workers.

So far however, the difficult negotiations have yielded some results, and Stop and Shop has removed some its negative proposals from the bargaining table.  Still in negotiation are issues surrounding holiday premiums, sick pay, and job transfers – all important issues to our members.  On an even bigger scale though, are conflicts involving pensions, health and welfare, and wages, which will be discussed next week.

Stop and Shop is owned by the Royal Dutch company Ahold, which makes more than half of its profits in the U.S. That revenue came to more than 25.8  billion dollars in 2012, keeping it in competition with the likes of Walmart and Target. Yet, the company is greedy to expand those profit-margins further, by implementing low wages and taking away healthcare and other benefits from its Stop and Shop employees, as well as those who work for its many other grocery stores and businesses.

Although these contract negotiations are often long and difficult, the five locals have already made progress by standing together in solidarity. By working in unity, UFCW and Stop and Shop can come away with a deal that is fair for both parties.

Stay tuned to updates by visiting http://ufcwstopandshopnegotiations.com/

Washington, DC – The following is a statement from the UFCW regarding the resolution of the Raley’s and Nob Hill strike: 

“Today, grocery workers around the country are acknowledging the tremendous resolve and solidarity of Raley’s and Nob Hill workers who took tremendous risk to protect middle class grocery jobs. Nearly a million union grocery workers and their families count on grocery jobs that provide meaningful benefits and a middle-class paycheck. The fight in California was truly a fight against lowering the bar in this industry, and worker solidarity with loyal customers and allies from around the labor movement secured a real victory for grocery workers.”

“Workers at Raley’s and Nob Hill stores in Northern and Central California ended their nine-day strike against the company today when a tentative agreement was reached between Raley’s/Nob Hill management and members of UFCW Local 5 and UFCW Local 8.”

“More than 7,000 UFCW members went on strike against the grocery chain on Sunday, Nov. 4 after 15 months of highly contentious bargaining.”

“Ordinarily, the terms of a tentative agreement are not released prior to the members having an opportunity to vote. However, UFCW Locals 5 and 8 confirmed that Raley’s agreed to retain and fund the union’s health benefit plan, the same plan agreed to by Save Mart and Safeway.”

“The settlement will be submitted to members of UFCW Locals 5 and 8 for review and ratification. The proposed agreement also will be submitted to workers at Raley’s Bel Air chain.”

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The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries. The UFCW protects the rights of workers and strengthens America’s middle class by fighting for health care reform, living wages, retirement security, safe working conditions and the right to unionize so that working men and women and their families can realize the American Dream. For more information about the UFCW’s effort to protect workers’ rights and strengthen America’s middle class join our online community at http://www.facebook.com/ufcwinternational and https://twitter.com/UFCW.

(Washington, D.C.) — The following is a statement issued by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union President Joseph Hansen:

Raley’s employees went on strike Sunday morning, November 4, 2012.

Following months of intense negotiations, workers from UFCW 8-Golden State and UFCW Local 5 have been forced on strike against Raley’s supermarket chain.

Nearly one million union grocery workers and their families across the country count on grocery jobs that provide meaningful benefits and a paycheck that can support a family. We cannot allow Raley’s to lower standards for working people in Northern California. Our full union stands in solidarity with the UFCW members standing up to keep grocery jobs middle class jobs.

Workers are fighting back against the company’s unlawful implementation of contract proposals and lowered job standards that were put in place without the input or approval of union employees. Workers have also filed unfair labor practice charges against the company, citing violations of laws prohibiting harassment and intimidation of union members, circumventing the union’s authority as a bargaining agent, and “regressive bargaining” — submitting proposals that are worse than previous offers.

The strike affects more than 7,000 workers in Northern and Central California .

UFCW 8-Golden State and UFCW Local 5 have been negotiating with Raley’s (which owns Bel Air and Nob Hill stores), Safeway/Vons and Save Mart/Lucky for more than a year, seeking agreement on new contracts for grocery workers in Northern and Central California. While an agreement was ratified with Save Mart/Lucky and negotiations are continuing between Safeway/Vons, Raley’s management has been bargaining in bad faith since contract negotiations began 15 months ago.

For further updates please visit www.yourbreadandbutter.com and www.supportgroceryworkers.com/.

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The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries. The UFCW protects the rights of workers and strengthens America’s middle class by fighting for health care reform, living wages, retirement security, safe working conditions and the right to unionize so that working men and women and their families can realize the American Dream. For more information about the UFCW’s effort to protect workers’ rights and strengthen America’s middle class, http://www.ufcw.org/, or join our online community at http://www.facebook.com/ufcwinternational and https://twitter.com/UFCW.

Raley’s employees went on strike Sunday morning, November 4, 2012 after not coming to an agreement with management.
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/04/4960322/raleys-employees-strike.html#storylink=cpy

Following days of intense negotiations in the presence of Federal Mediator Greg Lim, leaders of UFCW 8-Golden State and UFCW Local 5 announced a strike was in effect at Raley’s, Nob Hill and, in all likelihood, Bel Air stores in Northern and Central California. The labor dispute involves approximately 7,000 union members.

UFCW Local 8-GS and Local 5 members are asking community members to honor the picket lines, and take their business to other union grocery stores until Raley’s shows its workers the respect they deserve.

For more information, visit the UFCW Local 8-GS website, the UFCW Local 5 website, or call the strike hotline at 1-800-619-4036.

Firstly, the decision, although perhaps only temporary, is a big motivator for all those involved in this year’s earlier anti-walker protests.  After investing countless resources into the movement to stop his anti-worker legislation from passing, and recall the governor, it was disheartening to lose the battle.  Working families see that our efforts were not in vain.

Another point made in the article suggests that now, political polarization and opinion on the issue is not going to fade away, and will only be rejuvenated.  Because of the Friday decision, Democrats and Republicans are less likely to compromise on their beliefs regarding right-to-work legislation, essentially giving the labor movement a second wind. Collective bargaining is now back in the spotlight, front and center.  The debate is not over.

This is good news folks.  Even if the judge’s ruling doesn’t stand up, we know that the fight will not be over.

Coming on the heels of Raley’s threat to submit a last, best and final offerto the union on April 30, Local 5 immediately set up meetings throughout itsjurisdiction to hold strike vote meetings. Members attended in large numbersand authorized the union’s bargaining committee to call a strike.

Subsequent to Raley’s move to scuttle bargaining the parties agreed to enterfederal mediation.

“”Raley’s actions led the union to call a strike vote in the Nob Hilldivision. When a company threatens to submit a last, best and final offer itsets off a sequence of events that inevitably lead to either accepting aterrible offer or a strike. Both options are bad, but since we alreadycancelled one strike vote in a sign of good faith to further bargaining, weweren’t going to cancel this one. This overwhelming vote will send a strongmessage to the company and hopefully move negotiations to a successfulconclusion,”" stated Ron Lind, President UFCW Local 5.

Negotiations resume with Raley’s-Nob Hill on May 18 under the auspices ofthe Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in Oakland.

Committee members from each local routinely attended and supported the negotiations of their sister plant, and distributed handbills that let their co-workers and the company know that while the details of their contracts might be different, their priorities – affordable health care, and good jobs with middle class opportunities – were the same.

“We can’t stand alone,” said Bob Bigford from the Muscatine plant. “The consequences are mighty when you stand alone.” Both units were able to negotiate 3% wage increases every year for each year of the contract as well as an increase in their pension contributions. Both units also maintained affordable health care benefits. In Muscatine, negotiations reduced the waiting period for medical, vision, and dental eligibility. In addition, they were also able to add limits to the use of temporary workers, improve tool allowances, shorten and simplify grievance language, and improve language that allows union representatives access to the plant.

Kyle Smith, a member of Local 431, was glad the bargaining committee was able to address the issue of temporary workers. “People want to stay, and they work hard to keep a job at Heinz. They want a permanent job, and I want them to have the same opportunity I did.”

Workers from Raley’s, Safeway, Save Mart, and Macy’s, joined retired workers, union leaders, political and community supporters including State Controller John Chiang to rally for good grocery jobs and to support efforts to reach an equitable agreement with Raley’s, Safeway and Save Mart.

Members in UFCW Local 5’s grocery division have been trying to come to a consensus with their employers over wages and benefit costs since their contract expired in October 2012. Their efforts have been stymied by management’s emphatic demands for massive takeaways in working conditions, pay rates and medical benefits for active employees and retirees.

Meanwhile, Macy’s Northern California furniture store workers are in talks for a first contract.

As UFCW Local 5 President Ron Lind put it, “Northern California grocery workers are some of the hardest working people in the country. Every benefit they have earned over the years has been hard won. We want to let the public know that if the companies think they can slash the wages and medical benefits for active members and retirees without a fight they are wrong.”

It’s great to see such unity from workers and the community in Northern California – keep up the great work!

After lengthy and difficult negotiations in which management proposed dozens of givebacks and workers reached out to customers and the community, the contract contains no concessions affecting current or future members of the bargaining unit.

“Our members’ activism and solidarity is why they won one of the best collective bargaining agreements in the supermarket industry,” said UFCW Local 400 President Tom McNutt. “Whenever management tried to push us into making more sacrifices, our members made clear on the floor of the store and everywhere else they were willing to do whatever it takes to get a fair deal. They stood back to back, shoulder to shoulder more than I’ve ever seen, and that is why this contract improves their economic standing and health and retirement security.

“It’s especially impressive that we were able to obtain one of the only contracts in the country with a Maintenance of Benefits provision requiring Giant and Safeway to contribute whatever it takes to our health and welfare plan to pay all health benefits,” McNutt said. “No matter what, our members will receive comprehensive health coverage without having to pay a penny more out of pocket.”

The bargaining sessions were attended by more than 20 rank and file members, all of whom urged their co-workers to ratify the contract. “I sat across the table from management, I asked the company for a fair contract, and I told them I would do anything to get it,” said Satheria Duvernay, an advisory committee member who works at Giant #773 in Herndon, Va. “I protested the companies’ hiring ‘replacement’ workers, handed out buttons and got pledge cards signed. Now we’ve got a good contract that gets us the fruit of our labors. It took an army of activists to get this done.”

Advisory Committee member Sam Abed, who works at Safeway #945, said “I’m happy with the outcome of this contract. It’s fair and we are glad to have our union team on our side.”

“Our president did something different this year,” said Michele Hepner, an advisory committee member who works at Giant #243 in Stafford, Va. “He invited rank and file members to attend negotiations. I sat across from Giant’s lawyer. Our president stood strong and he protected us. We kept our pension, we kept our premium pay on Sundays and we got our raise. It took a lot of hard work by union members. I think it’s a wonderful contract.”

Key contract provisions include:

• Across-the-board wage increases effective April 1, 2012, that exceed increases in the cost of living for most members. This is one of the few contracts in the supermarket industry where all pay increases are provided in higher hourly wages rather than a one-time bonus.
• Full funding of health benefits with no increase in members’ out-of-pocket costs and improved coverage in areas such as HPV vaccinations and endodontic care (root canals).
• Continued retirement security with all current pension benefits maintained and new steps to resolve funding issues for at least the next 10 years.

Concessions demanded by Giant and Safeway that were defeated by Local 400 included creation of a new wage tier for new hires, an increase in health care co-payments, an end to health care Maintenance of Benefits, and treatment of Sunday as part of the regular work week.

The collective bargaining agreement takes effect retroactively on April 1, 2012 and ends on October 31, 2013. Its 19-month duration is due to the uncertainty around implementation of the Affordable Care Act and its impact on the health and welfare plan covering Giant and Safeway workers. By the fall of 2013, most unanswered questions about the new law should be resolved.

“Pleased as we are with the agreement our members enthusiastically ratified today, we view it as a foundation for further improvements in the next round of bargaining,” McNutt said. “We’re going to sustain and build our member activism over the next 19 months, we’re going to organize tenaciously and work to unite grocery workers throughout our region, and we’re going to enter negotiations stronger than ever.”

UFCW Local 400 represents 40,000 members working in the retail food, health care, retail department store, food processing, service and other industries in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Workers at Eurofresh Farms overwhelmingly approved a new 3 year agreement. Eurofresh grows tomatoes and cucumbers in huge greenhouses in Arizona. Local 99 represents over 800 crop workers and packing house workers there.

“Nothing could be further that the truth,” said Local 5 President Ron Lind, “We understand the company’s concerns about the difficult economic environment in which they operate and have proposed constructive and creative solutions that would address those concerns. Those efforts continue to be met with draconian proposals to undercut decades of progress for grocery workers while throwing thousands of them into poverty by eliminating their affordable healthcare.”

“Local 5 will continue bargaining for as long as it takes to reach an agreement that protects the interests of our members Unfortunately, the recent reckless actions of the company call into question their willingness to do the same. It’s disappointing to see that they are interested in confrontation instead of finding a middle ground,” said Lind.

The union is preparing to schedule special meetings with workers from Raley’s and Nob Hill, a company subsidiary. At those meetings, members will be updated on the progress of the talks and possibly be asked to authorize a strike, Lind said.

Grocery Workers United will continue to update you with the latest news on negotiations in Northern California.

“The proposal had the full recommendation of the bargaining committee as it preserved members’ health benefits and pension, and provided top rate wage increases, which was a significant accomplishment given Michigan’s challenging economy and high unemployment rate,” Marv Russow, UFCW Local 951′s president, said. “The committee felt this was the best contract possible under these circumstances. By their overwhelming ratification of the contract, I would say the membership agreed.”In November, Kroger members rejected the company’s first contract offer and authorized a strike. They had been working under a contract extension on the previous contract. “The last month has been stressful for Kroger members as there was a great deal of uncertainty about the future,” Russow said. “With the ratification of the new contract, they will have peace of mind and security for the next three years. Hopefully, the economy will turn around by 2014 and we can enter contract bargaining under improved circumstances.”

The UFCW 951 Kroger contract covers approximately 1,000 workers at 11 stores in greater Lansing, Jackson, and Mt. Pleasant. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, UFCW Local 951 represents over 28,500 workers across Michigan in a variety of industries including retail food, food processing, nursing home, and retail drug, employed at several companies including Meijer, Kroger, Rite Aid, Plumb’s, Polly’s, and Harding’s.

The fictional character of the Grinch is appearing in the form of a real-life supermarket chain, according to New York State’s largest grocery workers union.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 is protesting the decision by A&P/Pathmark to open its stores on Christmas Day, calling the move Grinch-like.

In a letter to company executives, union leaders cited the retailer’s ongoing financial difficulties with its bankruptcy filing and urged “that as this very difficult year draws to a close, now more than ever we should respect and welcome a day off for reflection and uninterrupted time with friends and family.”

The union expressed how the company’s decision to remain open, while other supermarkets such as Stop and Shop, King Kullen, and Shop Rite have agreed to close that day, shows a lack of caring for its employees.

“Now is no time for A&P/Pathmark management to play the role of the Grinch,” said Anthony Speelman, the secretary treasurer of the Westbury-based union representing 23,000 grocery workers in Long Island, the five boroughs, Westchester, Putnam and Duchess counties. “Their employees have suffered through store closings, uncertainty and lost wages. Asking our members to work on Christmas Day shows a stunning lack of compassion and another example of this ‘War on Christmas’ we seem to read about each day.”

Speelman thinks the action is even worse than anything the protagonist in the popular Dr. Seuss children’s book would do.

“Even the Grinch would be shocked by A&P/Pathmarks’ decision and would question if they had any heart at all,” Speelman said.

Many of the customers shopping at the Pathmark on Atlantic Avenue in Ozone Park, echoed the same sentiment.

“It’s very bad especially for employees with kids who have to run to work and back home,” said Gloria Froelach, a former employee at Pathmark 13 years ago. She was surprised the store was open on Christmas, noting that when she worked there they had the day off.

Yohanny Hernandez, a frequent shopper at the store, thinks the employees should be able to spend time with their loved ones on the holiday.

“They should be allowed to enjoy time with their family,” he said. “Without a doubt it should be closed.”

A person that is no stranger to retail, Meagan Harding, expressed her disappoinment with the store remaining open.

“It’s not right,” said Harding, who has worked at Daffy’s, a designer discount store, for three years. “It’s a waste of electricity and people’s time.”

A&P/Pathmark doesn’t feel this way.

According to a company statement, it “is committed to being the store of the neighborhood and serving the needs of our diverse customer base. Therefore, we have made the decision to open some of our store locations with limited hours on Christmas Day. The company plans to staff the stores with associates who wish to earn additional income by volunteering to work on December 25th.”

Food 4 Less supermarket workers recently authorized a strike, some two months after an intense labor dispute ended between the supermarket workers’ union and three of the largest supermarket chains in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Union members voted late last week to authorize a strike, said Mike Shimpock, spokesman for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union local 770. The vote came shortly after supermarket negotiators walked away from the negotiating table, he said.

Kroger is the firm that owns Food 4 Less. It also owns Ralphs supermarkets.

Three phone calls and one email to Kroger went unreturned on Wednesday.

Ralphs, Albertsons, and Vons were locked in a months-long labor dispute with the union that ended in September after the supermarkets agreed to increase their contribution to an employee health care fund.

“We’re looking for a similar deal that was reached in the last negotiations,” Shimpock said of the Food 4 Less talks. “That was a fair deal.”

The union also hopes to increase workers’ wages and hours, Shimpock said.

Food 4 Less employees kept their contract when the “big box” grocery chain was sold to Kroger about 10 years ago. That’s why they are under a different contract than Ralphs employees, he said.

The two sides are scheduled to continue negotiations later this month, a union news release said.

“The goal is to get back to the table and negotiate a deal,” Shimpock said. “We don’t want to strike.”

The Food 4 Less supermarket on Soledad Canyon Road in Canyon Country is the only Food 4 Less in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Inspired by strike threats from workers at Ralphs, Albertsons and Vons earlier this year, Food 4 Less employees voted Thursday to authorize a strike if parent company Kroger Co. does not offer them better wages and benefits.

Members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) from seven Southern California unions said workers at Food 4 Less sometimes make as much as $3 less than comparable employees at Ralphs, another Kroger chain.

The UFCW said in a statement that Cincinnati-based Kroger is “deliberately stalling progress” on negotiations as a way to “weaken union resolve.” Bargaining, the unions said, is expected to resume later this month.

UFCW finalized a three-year labor contract with Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons in September after months of negotiations, calling the final deal a “win-win” for both sides.

“We have seen what staying united can do when you are in a fight with mega-corporations,” said UFCW member Beatrice Lopez in a statement Friday. “UFCW members at Ralphs stuck together and ended up with a contract that shows them respect. We are going to do the same.”

Kroger could not be reached for comment. Other Kroger chains include Fred Meyer and City Market.

[Updated 1:30 p.m.: “Food 4 Less remains committed to reaching an agreement that is good for our employees and helps keep union jobs sustainable for the future,” said Kendra Doyel, a spokeswoman for the chain, in a statement. “We will continue to work with union leadership to negotiate a contract. Our employees do not want to strike and they look forwrad to serving customers in our stores throughout the holiday season.”]

The grocery chain’s same-store sales without fuel were up 5% in the third quarter ending Nov. 5 compared to the same period last year — making for 32 straight quarterly increases, Kroger said.

Earnings were down to $195.9 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, from $202 million, or $0.32 per diluted share in the same period last year.

In a conference call with analysts this month, Kroger President W. Rodney McMullen said the company had closed labor negotiations in Southern California, Ohio, West Virginia and Washington.

“Our objective in every negotiation is to find a fair and reasonable balance between competitive costs and compensation packages that provide good wages, high-quality affordable healthcare and retirement benefits for our associates,” he said.

“”The NLRBs proposed rule to streamline the vote for union representation would be a modest but important first step toward fixing a broken process that favors CEOs over workers. Justice delayed is justice denied, and that is too often the case for workers that file a union election petition. Many employers delay, delay, and delay some more through frivolous litigation and other procedural tactics. They use this time to intimidate, harass, and in some cases fire pro-union employees. The result is an unfair election or no election at all. This proposed rule would ensure that when a majority of workers want to have a voice on the job, they will be able to do so, free of interference.

“”With the rule not even finalized, House Republicans have continued their assault on workers by passing legislation to block it. It is the latest act by a party more committed to denying the rights of workers to stick together than fixing the economy and creating jobs. Like the rest of the extreme anti-worker measures passed by the House, we expect this one will be given a quick death in the Senate.

“Union contracts offer the best opportunity for stable, middle-class jobs. The NLRB is charged with protecting the right of every American to bargain for a better life. This proposed rule would do just that. It should be adopted.”"

MONTCLAIR – From packaging food for holiday distribution to helping decorate for Thanksgiving, nearly 150 members of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1428 were volunteering at various Inland Empire locations on Monday for a “Day of Service.”

The day of action was to thank local communities for their support during the union’s recent eight months of negotiations, said Connie Leyva, president of UFCW Local 1428.

“We wanted to give back with a day of service for our community who supported us,” she said.

In Montclair, about 18 union members occupied two classrooms at Kingsley Elementary School where they helped pack socks and toiletries for up to 100 people. They also helped pack bright yellow bags of food as well as gift certificates for shoes. Flu shots were provided for children and family members.

Ron Dietzman, the school’s assistant principal, said UFCW Local 1428 has partnered with Kingsley for nearly 15 years, providing pre-packaged meals for Thanksgiving and toys for Christmas.

“They’ve been helping us for years, and it’s fantastic,” he said.

Rachel Almazan of Rancho Cucamonga was among the volunteers at the Montclair site.

Almazan, who works for Rite-Aid and has been a union member for 39 years, has volunteered at the school site before.

“We sort of adopted this school,” she said. “We just want to give back to our community for their support.”

Almazan, who was helping hand out food, said she enjoys volunteering.

In Pomona, members also assisted in similar services for family members at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Members of UFCW Local 1428 also decorated a facility for a Thanksgiving celebration at Ability First in Claremont. Families in Ontario were able to receive food for the holidays from union volunteers who were at Feed the Children.

The objective of the unions is to negotiate an agreement that provides for the continuation of affordable family medical benefits, assures a living wage, improves hours and access to full time jobs, increases respect on the job and creates an environment where the employers will work as hard as the unions to stem the non-union threat.

The reason talks have not been moving as quickly as in the past is because of many factors. The worst economy since the great depression has brought up problems that are unprecedented and must be addressed cautiously. Healthcare is under siege due to sky rocketing costs and implementation of national coverage. And the management reps for the talks were not set until last week.

Real progress will begin when the companies back away from their plans to insist medical coverage be agreed upon before non-economic items like full time positions. This arrangement in negotiating, non-economic followed by the money items has served the parties well for over seven decades. And it will this time.

“”The repeal of Senate Bill 5 is bigger than just one law or one state. It sends a message to all those who would try to silence the voice of American workers: you do so at your own peril. It shows that the right to bargain collectively for a better life is fundamental—not some perk that can be stripped away on a whim. The votes cast today in Columbus and Cleveland and everywhere in between will have aftershocks in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and Washington D.C.

“”America’s working families want a good job that pays a fair wage, decent affordable health care, access to a quality education for their kids, and a little money left in the bank so they can retire with dignity. They also understand that the economic mess we find ourselves in today was caused by Wall Street, not Main Street. They know the guilty parties are speculators and predatory lenders, not teachers and first responders. Extreme politicians like Governor Kasich are waging war on the middle class.

“”Today’s vote shows that we are fighting back. And better yet, we are winning. I am proud of the UFCW and its members for their great work in Ohio. We understand that an attack on one worker—whether public or private sector, union or non-union—is an attack on all workers. We are proud to be part of diverse coalition of activists, including the entire labor movement, who dedicated countless hours to the fight for workers’ rights in Ohio.

“”Tonight we know that America’s middle class will no longer sit idly by. The silent majority is silent no more. Every elected official that would do us harm should take notice.”"

“Our members took an important step forward by ratifying this agreement,” said Local 400 President Tom McNutt. “At a time of economic difficulty, skyrocketing health care costs and pension funding challenges, they were able to maintain and improve their standard of living, health care coverage, retirement benefits and job security. This is a solid agreement that once again proves how vital union representation is to keeping middle class jobs alive in the retail sector of the economy.”

Negotiations were challenging with many difficult issues to resolve. But both sides bargained in good faith and the result is a win-win contract that helps Kroger workers while ensuring that the supermarket chain remains profitable and is well-positioned to expand its share of the market.

“It’s our members’ unparalleled productivity and quality service that makes Kroger profitable and I am pleased that our agreement recognizes this essential fact,” McNutt said. “I am equally pleased with the strong Solidarity our members showed throughout the negotiations-it was absolutely essential our success at the bargaining table.”

Instead of concessions, Local 400 members won a commitment from Kroger to make monthly contributions to their health and retirement funds in amounts the funds’ trustees determine are necessary to maintain existing benefits.

“Most experts project that retail is one sector of the economy expected to experience some of the greatest job growth in the years to come,” McNutt said. “That makes it all the more critical that retail jobs provide middle class compensation. Our agreement with Kroger shows how we can achieve this critical goal.”

UFCW Local 400 represents 40,000 members working in the retail food, health care, retail department store, food processing, service and other industries in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C.

The workers’ campaign began when several National Beef workers contacted the UFCW seeking a union voice on the job. At that time, National Beef and the UFCW agreed on a fair and balanced process that allowed employees to vote on whether or not they wanted union representation. UFCW represents the workers at a neighboring Cargill beef slaughter and processing plant in Dodge City.

“Helping to organize my co-workers into a union was a life changing journey,” said Rebecca McGary, a worker in the fabrication department at National Beef.

“We know that workers at Cargill, just down the street from National Beef, have had a contract with Local 2 for many years – and that means they have always had a say in their wages, benefits and working conditions,” said Ramon Prieto who works on the kill floor at National Beef and who took a leading role in organizing his co-workers. “That’s why I voted to join the UFCW, so that we all will have a chance to negotiate benefits and salaries, job security, and a better life for our families.”

The National Beef workers are the latest in a series of meatpacking workers to join the UFCW at locations across the country. On October 19, approximately 1,000 workers at a JBS beef kill facility in Plainwell, Michigan joined UFCW Local 951. On October 25, 125 workers at a Farmland Foods facility in Carroll, Iowa joined UFCW Local 440. And in late September, 300 workers at Nebraska Prime in Hastings, Nebraska joined UFCW Local 293.

The tentative agreement was reached after 8 months of negotiating and strong involvement and activism by the 62,000 grocery workers and widespread support of customers and allies across the region.  The UFCW is grateful to Scot Beckenbaugh, Deputy Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services, for his guidance through the bargaining process.

UFCW members will vote on the proposals in meetings over the coming week. The agreement increases wages, protects health care and pension benefits throughout the life of the 3-year contract.

The new contract, once ratified, will cover 62,000 UFCW grocery workers, the largest bargaining unit in the UFCW.  An additional 28,000 grocery workers at regional chains like Stater Brothers, Food 4 Less, Gelson’s Market and other markets are covered by the successful resolution of the Southern California contract.  The contract covering 45,000 grocery workers in Northern California expires in October.

The new collective bargaining agreement provides for, among many other significant gains, a substantial base wage increase of $1.50 over the term of the agreement, significant improvements in health care including 100 percent coverage for transplants and an increased allowance for hearing aids, improved retirement security including a 401(k) match increase from $300 to $500 and a pension increase to $27.

“The strong contract that we secured with Hormel is a pretty big deal,” said Dick Schuster, who has worked at the company’s Fremont, Neb. facility for the past 38 years. “At a time when pensions are under attack nationwide, we were able to bargain for significant improvements to our retirement security. Our contract is a testament to why sticking together and speaking with one voice benefits all workers.”

“Our communities need good jobs with pay and benefits that can support a family,” said Vincent Perry, a four-year veteran at the Hormel plant in Algona, Iowa. “Good union contracts like ours help build more stable and secure communities.”

Nationwide, the UFCW represents 8,000 Hormel workers. The current agreement covers about 4,000 workers at the company’s facilities in Austin, Minn.; Algona, Iowa; Fremont, Neb.; Beloit, Wis.; and Atlanta, Ga.

The new collective bargaining agreement provides for, among many other significant gains, a substantial base wage increase of $1.50 over the term of the agreement, significant improvements in health care including 100 percent coverage for transplants and an increased allowance for hearing aids, improved retirement security including a 401(k) match increase from $300 to $500 and a pension increase to $27.

“The strong contract that we secured with Hormel is a pretty big deal,” said Dick Schuster, who has worked at the company’s Fremont, Neb. facility for the past 38 years. “At a time when pensions are under attack nationwide, we were able to bargain for significant improvements to our retirement security. Our contract is a testament to why sticking together and speaking with one voice benefits all workers.”

“Our communities need good jobs with pay and benefits that can support a family,” said Vincent Perry, a four-year veteran at the Hormel plant in Algona, Iowa. “Good union contracts like ours help build more stable and secure communities.”

Nationwide, the UFCW represents 8,000 Hormel workers. The current agreement covers about 4,000 workers at the company’s facilities in Austin, Minn.; Algona, Iowa; Fremont, Neb.; Beloit, Wis.; and Atlanta, Ga.