Contract Settlements

UFCW Local 271, Nebraska - October 2009
GUYMON, OK - UFCW Local 271 members at the Americold Logistics plant in Crete, Nebraska have successfully negotiated their first contract with the company.  The contract includes average raises of $1.44 per hours in the first year, 30 cents per hour raises for the next four years, overtime pay for holidays and a premium for night shifts, improved health insurance benefits and paid vacation.

UFCW Local 2, Oklahoma - August 2009
GUYMON, OK - UFCW Local 2 members recently ratified a new contract with Seaboard Farms in Guymon, Oklahoma. The five-year contract covers 2,000 workers and includes an immediate hourly wage increase of 70 cents across the board.

UFCW Local 222, Nebraska- August 2009
Dakota City, NE - In separate votes on Sunday, members of UFCW Local 222 overwhelmingly voted to ratify contracts with Tyson Foods and Beef Products Incorporated (BPI) in Dakota City, Nebraska.

UFCW Local 1776, Pennsylvania- July 2009
PHILADELPHIA - Nearly 4,000 supermarket workers in the Philadelphia area have a union contract that runs until February 2012. Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 voted overwhelmingly Wednesday night to approve the contract with Acme Markets.

UFCW Local 711, Utah- July 2009
Workers at the JBS-Swift plant in Hyrum, Utah, last evening voted overwhelmingly to ratify their first-ever union contract. The more than 1,100 workers of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 711 at the JBS-Swift Beef Plant (known locally as the E.A. Miller Plant) will join the more than 10,000 JBS-Swift workers nationwide who belong to the UFCW.

UFCW Local 1208, North Carolina- July 2009
5,000 workers now have their first-ever union contract in Tar Heel, North Carolina.

UFCW Local 1564, New Mexico- June 2009
UFCW Local 1564 members overwhelmingly approved a one-year contract agreement with Smith's, the Kroger-owned grocery chain in New Mexico. Covering about 2,000 grocery workers in 26 stores, the deal improves on workers' health care and raises wages for all workers--with the majority receiving a 35-cent hourly wage hike.

UFCW Local 1439, Washington- April 2009
4-year contract covering 12 stores and 785 grocery workers has been put into effect in the Greater Spokane area.

UFCW Local 1262, New Jersey- April 2009
About 30,000 retail clerks at ShopRite, Pathmark and Foodtown stores in New Jersey and the western Hudson Valley and Stop & Shop Supermarkets in New Jersey now have a 4 year contract.

UFCW Local 371, Connecticut- April 2009
1,300 workers at A&P, Waldbaum's/Foodmart and Food Emporium in Connecticut now have a 4 year contract.

UFCW Local 1473, Cudahy, Wisconsin- November 2008
A new contract covering 1450 Smithfield/Patrick Cudahy workers in Cudahy, Wis., raises living standards for meatpacking workers and their families. The contract provides solid wage increases, lower worker health care costs with improved health care benefits, and greater pension security. >>> Read More 

UFCW Local 880, Ohio- October 2008
About 9,700 grocery workers at Giant Eagle and Heinen’s stores in the Cleveland and Akron area now have a 4 year contract.

UFCW Local 440, Denison, Iowa- September 2008
1,400 workers at the Denison, Iowa, pork processing facility reached an agreement with Smithfield Food's subsidiary Farmland.  The new contract includes wage increases that keep Denison workers among the highest paid in the pork industry and provides Farmland with new operating efficiencies.   UFCW and Farmland also found solutions that provide quality, affordable health care coverage for workers and their families.

UFCW Local 1059, Columbus, Ohio- August 2008
More than 11,000 Kroger grocery workers in Columbus, Ohio now have a contract.

UFCW Locals 5, 8, 101, Northern California- June 2008 
Workers at Rite Aid Corp. will receive wage increases and expanded health benefits as a result of a new labor agreement reached Monday by UFCW locals 5, 8 and 101. The three UFCW unions represent about 4,300 workers in Rite Aid stores in the Northern two-thirds of California. Locals 5 and 101 represent members in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose and Silicon Valley. UFCW 8 extends from the Oregon border south to Fresno County. UFCW said its members voted overwhelmingly to ratify the three-year agreement with Rite Aid.

UFCW Local 700, Indiana- June 2008
A 4 year agreement covering 475 meat members and 3800 clerk members at 60 Kroger stores in the Indianapolis area, as well as Bloomington, Crawfordsville, Kokomo and other parts of the state is now in effect.

UFCW Locals 400 and Local 27,Baltimore, Washington, DC area- April 2008 
A 4-year contract covering 23,000 members working at Giant and Safeway is now in place.

UFCW Local 227, Kentucky and Indiana- April 2008
Nearly 11,000 workers at Kroger now have a contract in Kentucky and southern Indiana.

UFCW Local 789, St.Paul, MN- March 2008 
Members of UFCW Local 789 turned out in record numbers to overwhelmingly ratify their new 3 year Retail Grocery and Meat Agreement. Members were allowed to vote for the first time on store property. As a result of an unprecedented show of member power, a new 3 year agreement is now in place with employers.  The Negotiation Committee was overwhelmed with the positive response from their fellow Union members and would like to thank the members that turned out for the vote at 39 locations throughout St. Paul and suburbs.

UFCW Local 371, Shaw's Supermarkets, Connecticut- March 2008 
In a nearly unanimous vote, Shaw's supermarket workers ratified a four-year contract that guarantees wage increases and a $500 bonus. Workers voted 300-1 to approve the contract, said Brian Petronella, president of Local 371 of the United Food and Commercial Workers. The pact covers 3,000 workers in Shaw's stores in Connecticut. The pact maintains the workers' health insurance and pension plan, he said. Full-time workers will get a raise of $70 a week over the duration of the contract and part-time workers will receive $1 an hour raise over the four-year agreement, he said. "It maintains health insurance and the pension plan and we get some raises. Everyone is happy," Petronella said. Larry Wahlstrom, Shaw's president, expressed satisfaction that the contract, which takes effect immediately, was ratified. "We are pleased that both sides worked together to reach agreement on a contract that balances the needs of our associates, our customers and our company in today's competitive environment," he said in a statement.

Kroger workers of Local 1529, Memphis, TN- March 2008 
UFCW Local 1529 members in Memphis ratified a four-year agreement with the Kroger company. The contract covers more than 7,500 associates in 72 Kroger stores located in Memphis and parts of Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Stop & Shop workers of Local 342, Mineola, NY- March 2008
UFCW Local 342 member working at Stop & Shop voted overwhelmingly to approve a new contract.   Voting took place today March 1, 2008 from 6:00 am to 7:30 pm at the Local 342 Area Offices. Local 342 members and staff worked very hard and stuck together for good wages, quality, affordable healthcare, and a secure pension. They are proud of their work on this contract and want to thank all of the Stop & Shop members who showed up throughout the day to cast their vote and take part in the process.

Kroger workers of Local 951, Michigan- February 2008
By a margin of more than 70%, members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 951 who work at 11 Kroger stores in mid-Michigan have voted to approve a new contract. The new agreement covers approximately 900 UFCW 951 members and will be in effect until October 2011. Ratification voting took place in several locations on January 30 and 31, 2008. The agreement includes annual wage increases and reduced qualifying periods for health benefits. Advertisement Members will also be covered by an improved Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plan with a $10 co-pay for doctor visits. Dental and vision coverage was added. The new contract also maintains pension benefits for members hired prior to 1984, continues similar current benefits for all other members and protects current premium pay rates.

Local 555, Eugene, Oregon- January 2008
The membership of Local 555 in Eugene, Oregon showed strength and solidarity by resisting employers’ demands to degrade their healthcare coverage to a plan that might have had unfavorable consequences through out the life of the contract. Members also stuck together and said no to bonuses, instead asking for a fair contract agreement with hard money increases every year of the agreement. The Grocery, Meat, and CCK workers in the Eugene/Springfield area have overwhelmingly (100% CCK, 90% Grocery, and 90% Meat) voted to approve the contract offer from their employers. The new contract includes: Working on Christmas on a voluntary basis only; No bonuses--hard money increases only; Adding more stability to the Health and Welfare plan; and No HRA which would have resulted in huge deductible increases. UFCW members’ victory in Oregon shows that no matter how long it may take, we really are more powerful when we speak together.

Hormel Workers in Knoxville, Iowa- January 2008
More than 100 Hormel workers in Knoxville, Iowa and members of UFCW Local 431 have ratified a new contract with the company. The four-year contract provides considerable wage increases, including $1.40/hr base wage increase over four years for production workers and $1.80/hr base wage increase for maintenance workers. The increases bring the average wage for production workers to $15.75 an hour. The agreement also achieves significant improvements in retirement security, preventive health care, well baby and well child care, hospice care, home health care, vision care, mental health and substance abuse care, and cancer screening as well as big improvements in dental care.

Northern California Safeway Workers- December 2007
Safeway workers of UFCW Local 5, UFCW 8-Golden-State, UFCW Local 101, and UFCW Local 648 in Northern California have approved a new contract that achieves significant health and dental care improvements, including raising the annual ceiling on dental care, eliminating deductibles on prescription drugs, and speeding up coverage for children and dependents of workers. The agreement covers 25,000 workers in 300 Northern California stores, including 18 Safeway stores in San Mateo County and more than 1,500 workers.

Northern California Save Mart, Raley's, and Bel Air Markets- November 2007
Northern California members of UFCW 8-Golden State, Local 5, Local 101, and Local 648 accepted a contract covering some 25,000 members at nearly 300 Save Mart (Lucky in the Bay Area), Raley’s and Bel Air Markets stores throughout Northern California. The pact includes an across-the-board wage increase, improvements in health and welfare benefits including a reduction or elimination of medical deductibles, and guarantees a uniform contract expiration date for all local unions.

Kroger Workers of UFCW Local 400- November 2007
In West Virginia and nearby areas of Kentucky and Ohio, members of Local 400 approved a four-year contract covering 3,250 workers at 41 Kroger stores. Achievements of the contract include a wage increase, a decrease in annual medical deductibles and a rise in maximum health benefits.

Cincinnati Kroger Workers- November 2007
Members of UFCW 1099 in Cincinnati ratified a three-year agreement with Kroger by an overwhelming vote of 84%.  After a two-month contract fight and serious threat of a strike, members finally have a contract that provides affordable health care, a secure retirement, and wage increases for 11,000 workers in Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana. “This contract is a result of the solidarity and dedication of our members, and the outpouring of support from the community," said Local 1099 President Lennie Wyatt. "Kroger workers make the company one of the most successful in the grocery industry. This agreement, including no concessions, is a reflection of their hard work and shares this success. ”

Michigan Meijer Grocery workers approved contract- October 2007
By a substantial majority, members of Local 951 have approved a new four and one-half year contract with Meijer. 9,282 (80%) voted in favor of the new agreement, 1,961 (17%) voted against. 352 (3%) ballots were void and zero were challenged. UFCW 951 President Marv Russow said: “The passage of this contract reflects extensive input from the UFCW 951 membership at Meijer. We entered bargaining well prepared. We had a committed rank and file Bargaining Committee representing a cross section of the membership. The Union and the company approached these talks with a mutually respectful and constructive attitude.”

Hormel Meatpacking and Processing Workers- September 2007 
A new contract covering 4,000 Hormel workers in five locations secures big wage increases, health care improvements and greater pension security for meatpacking workers and their families. The contract sets a new standard for wages and benefits in the meat industry-one that will allow packing and processing workers to truly live the American Dream. UFCW members in five locals -UFCW Local 6 in Algona, Iowa; UFCW Local 9 in Austin, Minn.;  UFCW Local 22 in Fremont, Neb.; Local 1439 in Beloit, Wis.; and UFCW Local 1996 in Atlanta, Ga. voted to ratify the contract.

Puget Sound Grocery Workers - August 2007
Puget Sound grocery workers in UFCW Locals 21, 81, and 44 overwhelmingly approved their three-year contract agreement with three national grocery chains: Safeway, Supervalu (Albertsons) and Kroger (Fred Meyer and QFC). The contract includes affordable, improved health care plan, with no-cost preventative care, coverage for same-sex couples and reduced waiting period for children’s coverage, wellness incentives for employees, and lower prescription costs; wage increases; improvements in sick leave and scheduling practices; and pension plan secured with no cuts for the life of the contract

Southern California Grocery Workers- July 2007
Grocery workers and UFCW members in Southern California averted a strike a won a suitable and fair contract with Safeway, Kroger, and Supervalu. The contract eliminates the two-tier wage structure, establishes and provides wage increases, improves and protects health care provisions, and even helps protect retirement benefits.  

Local 911- July 2007
After lengthy negotiations, UFCW Local 911 members have finally won a respectable contract with Kroger.  Members fought for a contract that provides affordable healthcare and wage increases. The contract calls for an increase of $1 to $1.65 per hour over the three-year contract period, as well as increased vacation days, a shorter waiting period for healthcare, and increased pension contributions which establish a more secure future for workers.

Local 1149- June 2007
Members of UFCW Local 1149 are celebrating a new contract with the Swift Company this month. The agreement calls for a considerable base pay increase of $1.40/h over the next four years. It also calls for a $2.00/h increase for certain job categories. The contract also calls for improvements in the workers' healthcare plans, including a $1 million increase in the healthcare package and orthodontic care being added to the dental plan.

Local 1776- April 2007
Members of UFCW Local 1776 have recently approved a three year contract with Knouse Foods. The agreement calls for an immediate 3.5% pay increase, then and increase of 3.5% in 2008, and finally an increase of 3.75% in 2009.

Local 1994- April 2007
UFCW Local 1994 members, employed by the Montgomery County, MD Government, have ratified a 3-year contract with an overwhelming 94% of the vote. The new contract includes wage increases and special wage enhancements. Overall gross pay for the majority of covered workers will rise by more than 26 percent over the life of the contract.

Local 1776 - January 2007
Members of three UFCW locals who work at more than 640 wine and spirits shops in Pennsylvania have approved a four-year contract with the state, affecting 2,800 workers. The contract includes a lump-sum payment initially, yearly wage increases, and longevity increases.