Grocery Workers Ratify Contract
Last night, grocery workers voted overwhelmingly to ratify the contract agreement with Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons. It is described by UFCW as an "excellent contract that will improve the lives of 70,000 grocery workers throughout Southern California. It is a four-year contract, valid through March 6, 2011.
"This contract is a huge victory for grocery workers," continued Lloyd-Jones. "From the beginning we set very clear goals that we wanted to eliminate the unfair two-tier wage structure. We wanted wage increases for grocery workers who haven't had a wage increase in five years. And, we wanted to improve the eligibility and benefits of the health care coverage that grocery workers receive. We met all of these goals and more."
Here are a few details from the contract.
- Eliminates Two-Tier Wage Structure effective 3/5/07. All employees will be on the same wage progression schedule for their classification and will be eligible to reach the same top pay scale in their classification.
- Provides Retroactive Wage Increases. Immediate wage increases for employees retroactive back to March 5, 2007.
- Wage increases annually. Over the 4 year term of contract, as an example, experienced food clerks and meat cutters will receive $1.65.
- Shortens Waiting Period for Health Care Eligibility to 6-months for new hires and dependent children. Shortens waiting period for spouses to 24 Months. All current employees who have worked for six months will be eligible for health care coverage.
This is an amazing improvement from the last contract. No more two tier wages, better health benefits and wage increases. Needless to say, the workers are thrilled.
"When we learned the terms of the contract, I just can't describe the feeling of excitement and relief," said Chris Zazueta, a Ralphs employee. "From the beginning everyone described our fight as a David and Goliath story, and yesterday David won! We stood up to the employers and demanded a fair contract, and we got one. "
The grocery workers are holding up the strong community support as being crucial to the workers getting a fair contract. The over 50,000 people who signed the pledge not to shop at the big three in case of a lockout or strike was described as "instrumental" to the final contract. What a wonderful victory for the workers and their families.