UFCW is in the process of negotiations with the supermarket chains to negotiate terms for a new contract. Check the details below for the most up-to-date information on the progress of negotiations. You can also get the latest updates by calling our toll-free Negotiations Hotline at 1-866-360-9414.
July 17th, 2007 Update...
Today, your union agreed to a tentative contract with the management of Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons. This is a fair contract that includes wage increases and significantly improves health care coverage.
We will be scheduling meetings on Sunday, July 22nd for all members to ratify the contract. You will receive details on the contract prior to the vote, and details on the times and locations of the vote will be sent to you shortly.
This is a victory for all grocery workers. We stood up to the employers and demanded a fair contract. We stayed committed to negotiations, and granted they took longer than we hoped, but we got a contract without having to go on strike.
Three years ago we were starved into a contract. Today, we negotiated a fair contract on our terms because you stood up and stayed strong over these past seven months. We know how hard it has been on you and your families.
We look forward to sharing the details of the contract with you in the days ahead, and to seeing you at the vote ratification meetings on Sunday.
July 16th, 2007 Update...
Your union's representatives are still at the table after negotiating through the weekend.
Although we have made progress, significant hurdles remain.
We will stay at the table as long as progress is being made. But all grocery workers should be prepared to take action if negotiations should break down.
Your union is fighting hard for you. We need you to keep the pressure up on management if we want an agreement.
July 13th, 2007 Update...
We plan to continue negotiations through the weekend as slow progress is being made.
We need to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Even though the slow progress is a positive sign, we must remain prepared to take action if negotiations stall and come to a standstill.
Your union is fighting hard for you. We need to keep the pressure up on management if we want an agreement.
July 6th, 2007 Update...
Your union will be back at the bargaining table on Monday to resume negotiations and we hope the employers will compromise on wages and health care.
It is unfortunate that the employers continue to delay and threaten us instead of negotiating.
To date, wage proposals from the employers still include increases for only the top pay scale, and the introduction of a third tier that would make even less than second tier workers.
And the employers still want to reduce their contributions to the health care trust fund, putting the fund at risk of bankruptcy, potentially reducing your benefits and dramatically increasing your out of pocket costs.
These proposals are unacceptable. The employers know this but they refuse to compromise.
Instead they’re continuing with their threats and intimidation, trying to frighten grocery workers into accepting a bad deal, just like they did in 2003.
They already threatened to lock you out of your job. And yesterday Ralphs announced their plan to hire replacement workers and threatened their employees that if they strike, they may lose their jobs or hours will be cut. They even threatened that their employees would be forced to pay hundreds of dollars just to keep their family’s health care coverage.
It’s no surprise that Ralphs should be the first to make threats. Remember Ralphs is still on probation for their actions during the 2003 strike and they were forced to pay $70 million in fines and restitution for lying to the federal government. What will stop them from doing the same again?
Getting a contract without a job action is and always has been our top priority. We are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst just in case.
We will keep you informed in the days ahead as things progress.
We can do this. But only if we stick together and stand strong.
July 3rd, 2007 Update...
Your union remains in negotiations with management. The federal mediator implemented a mandatory break in negotiations, but they will resume Monday.
We are still discussing important issues regarding your wages, health care and pension. But nothing is final, and progress is slow.
That’s why we need to prepare for every possibility, and that means preparing for a strike or a lockout. You will soon hear in the media or on the news that your union is preparing for a strike or a lockout.
This doesn’t mean we’re going on strike. But it means we’re going to be ready if we have to. We are still officially in negotiations and trying hard to get a contract at the bargaining table.
Getting a contract without a job action is and always has been our top priority. But management will stall and try to force a bad deal on us – just like they did in 2003.
That’s why we have to be ready for anything. But this time is different than 2003. We are in command of the message to the public. We have 50,000 consumers that have pledged not to shop at Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons if there is a strike or lockout. And we have a model agreement with Stater Bros and Gelsons.
We can do this. But only if we stick together and stand strong.
June 25th, 2007 Update...
Results from Sunday's vote show UFCW members overwhelmingly rejecting managements’ proposals to create a third pay tier and slash their health care contributions. They also show members overwhelmingly authorizing leadership to call a strike if and when negotiations reach an impasse.
This does not mean your union is going on strike. It means that we have shown management that we are united and tired of their games. Management MUST get serious at the bargaining table – we've waited for a contract for long enough.
We deserve a fair contract, like the one we got with Stater Bros and Gelsons, and there is no reason we shouldn't be able to get it with Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons.
Our vote shows management we are united in demanding a fair contract, and we will stand up to their attempts to further erode our benefits and wages.
June 22nd, 2007 Update...
Yesterday, management couldn't even show us enough respect to give us a comprehensive contract proposal.
We've been negotiating with them for six months -- half a year. We are more than 100 days past the expiration of our contract.
The employers have seen the fair contracts that Stater Bros. and Gelsons offered us months ago. Contracts we negotiated within a few weeks, on time, which eliminated the two-tier wage, provided wage increases and improved benefits.
But instead of a fair contract, Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons have proposed the following piecemeal changes:
- Instead of a two tier wage system, A THREE tier wage system reducing starting wages to minimum wage and taking ELEVEN years to reach top pay
- No wage increases for anyone but the top wage scale
- And an under funded health care plan that puts our health care trust fund at risk of bankruptcy -- just as they've done in six other states.
We have to stand up to the employers to tell them that we won't back down until we get a fair contract. That we're not scared to fight for what is fair. If Stater Bros. and Gelsons can offer us a fair contract, Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons can do the same.
That's why on Sunday you should VOTE to REJECT Managements' Offer.
A vote to reject managements' offer and authorize economic action will force the employers to pay attention, to get serious about negotiations, and to listen to grocery workers when we say that we want a fair contract and we want it now.
June 18th, 2007 Update...
Your union continues to negotiate with management in order to reach an agreement that treats employees with respect: a fair wage increase, a secure retirement and comprehensive affordable health care with reasonable waiting periods.
But management continues to play games. We have been in negotiations for over six months, and are nearly four months past the expiration of your contract.
They've seen our agreements with Stater Bros and Gelsons. We’ve given them fair proposals to improve health care and wages, but they still drag their feet and make excuses.
What is really happening?
We gave management a health care proposal that would shorten eligibility to six months for new hires, guarantee coverage for children within six months and cover 100% of basic preventative care such as physicals, mammograms and child immunizations.
This plan would cost management exactly one cent more than they are already contributing.
But management refuses to accept this plan and wants to contribute much LESS to your health care benefits than they do now.
And, they want to make up for their reduced funding by using huge levels of your health care trust fund reserves that could bankrupt the entire fund by the end of the contract, forcing drastic cuts to your benefits and increased out of pocket costs to you.
Your union's health care proposal will save the management hundreds of millions of dollars, but they still want more.
We want to negotiate a fair contract, but we will not accept a proposal that would put your health care benefits in any jeopardy.
We gave management a wage proposal that would eliminate the two tier wage and give fair wage increases to all employees.
What did management propose? A new THREE tier plan, that would pay employees differently depending on whether they were hired before the last contract, after the last contract or after this next contract, and the pay level of each tier is lower than the previous one.
This is unacceptable.
Management still has not given us a proposal for wage increases.
What does all this mean?
It means management continues to stall and mislead you. Why? Because every day they don’t give you a fair wage increase or health care benefits they make millions of dollars. They would rather string you along than give you a fair contract.
That is why your union gave management until June 21st to agree to a deal. We’ve already agreed to a fair and equitable contract with Stater Bros and Gelson’s Markets that gives fair wage increases and health care funding. Why can’t these giant national corporations do the same?
So when management tells you your union is playing games, remember this: we already have a contract with employers that respect workers, and we tried to get the same contract with Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons. But they just want to play games to keep you from getting a fair and equitable contract.
June 12th, 2007 Update...
The employers finally put a wage proposal on table and here's what they are proposing: NO pay increases for anyone, and THREE wage tiers.
That's right. Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons' contract negotiators proposed a new wage progression.
Instead of two different tiers, it has three.
One for employees hired before March 2004.
Another for employees hired after March 2004 but before the coming 2007 contract.
And yet another for everyone hired after the new contract.
And each one pays less than the one before.
How long will the employers attempt to keep wages stagnant, and keep up this multi-tier nonsense? Until we tell them to stop, that's when.
Your union gave the employers until June 21st to come up with a real offer. Then we will vote on that offer or vote to authorize a strike against Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons.
It's the only way we'll make the employers get serious about negotiating a real contract that offers fair wages and benefits.
After all, it's been six months since we started negotiations. Unless
we give them a deadline, this could drag on forever.
Demand Respect. Demand a Fair Contract.
June 8, 2007 Update...
We've been negotiating with the employers for six months and we've been waiting long enough. It's time for the employers to get serious. That's why we set a deadline of June 21st for the employers to offer us a fair contract.
The employers know what we want. They've seen the contract we ratified with Stater Bros. and Gelsons Markets. They know that we want to eliminate the two-tier wage, and we want fair wage increases and improved health care contributions.
But Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons have been dragging their feet for months. Why? Because every day we work without a new contract, they make millions of dollars.
And combined, the employers have already made yearly profits over $8 billion. They can well afford to give us a fair raise and health care plan.
Your union is committed to meeting the deadline and working with the employers to get the deal done. If the employers get serious and offer us a fair contract, there's no reason why the deadline can't be met.
But, it's time for the employers to stop stalling.
The clock starts now for Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons to offer us a fair contract by June 21st.
We've waited long enough.
June 2, 2007 Update...
There is no deal on health care, wages or any other part of the contract, period.
We've proposed a plan that would greatly increase coverage at barely any cost increase to the employers. Instead, they proposed cutting health care by 50% over what they contributed last year. That's not a deal. That's a plan for disaster.
Remember: these are the same employers that underfunded health care plans in Oregon, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Arkansas and Louisiana, among other places. Those plans faced bankruptcy and had to dramatically reduce benefits or raise employee premiums.
That's exactly what the employers are trying to do here, and that's why we don't have a deal.
There is no reason we shouldn't have a contract: Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons made a combined $8.3 billion in profits last year. They can afford fair wages and health care for the employees that made those profits possible.
May 30, 2007 Update...
Your union is still meeting with the employers, but they continue to stall and mislead you about negotiations.
The employers say we've agreed on a health plan, but that isn't true.
What is true is the employers refuse to fully fund a health plan they've proposed, potentially forcing a dramatic reduction of benefits mid-contract.
Your union's experts concluded that the employers' proposal will cause the fund to run completely out of money during the last year of the contract. That means well before the end of the contract your benefits would have to be severely reduced or the health fund will go bankrupt.
Similar underfunded proposals from these same employers have already produced massive benefit cuts or premium increases in Oregon, Houston, Dallas, Lousiana, Arkansas, Indianapolis and other regions around the country. Now they're trying to do the same thing here, and they think they can trick you into it too.
We've given the employers serious proposals to fully fund a fair health plan that saves both the union and the companies significant amounts of money, but they continue to take baby steps, stall for time and misrepresent the negotiations to you.
Remember: the employers don't want to raise your wages or improve your benefits -- the only thing they care about is profits. They'll do or say anything to divide us. The only way we'll get a fair contract is if we stand together and demand it.
May 22, 2007 Update...
Your union continues to meet with the employers to try and reach an agreement.
But the employers continue to stall.
We've all been very patient in trying to reach an agreement at the table, but it is clear the employers are deliberately stalling for their own gain.
Why? Because they are making millions every week they refuse to raise your wages or enhance your benefits.
They even offered your union a plan that would bankrupt your health and welfare trust fund.
They've done this before: in Oregon, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and other places around the country the employers have deliberately underfunded health care plans.
What happens? In the middle of the contract, those plans are forced to severely reduce benefits, sometimes more than once, or dramatically raise premiums.
So when the employers try to tell you they "already" negotiated a health plan here, remember the ones they "already" negotiated around the country: the ones they forced into bankruptcy or benefit reductions. Don't believe their hype: remember, they want to keep your wages low and limit your health care options.
Don't let them get away with it. Get involved. Call your local or talk to your union rep about getting involved in our "walk for respect" and consumer contact campaign. Turn up the heat on the employers so they can't get away with any more stalling.
May 10, 2007 Update...
After meeting with our union negotiators and leaders, your union is doing our best to get negotiations back on track.
But so you know, this is what your employers tried to do to you on Tuesday, and why your union had to break off negotiations:
The employers proposed cutting their contribution towards our health care by nearly 50% over last years contribution:
They proposed grabbing 80% our safety reserve in the health care trust fund, money paid in as part of your compensation, to subsidize the employers contibutions, not yours;
And they proposed making your premiums some of the highest, if not the highest, of any grocery workers in the nation.
The employers are trying to deliberately underfund your health plan, like they've done in other regions across the US, where benefits had to be severely reduced, sometimes more than once, because there wasn't enough money in the trust fund.
We will not allow this to happen here. That is why we walked out of negotiations yesterday.
We had to make a point that we would not accept more takeaways like this.
Because of our action, the employers realized they overreached and made a mistake. That is why they are now publicly requesting we return to negotiations.
We will reach out and try to get negotiations back on track. But will not allow the markets to destroy our health care and deny you a fair wage. We will stand together to get a contract that respects grocery workers and gives us what we are entitled to.
May 8, 2007 Update...
Today all 7 Southern Calif. local unions walked out of Negotiations with Albertson's, Ralph's and Von's. These employers are practicing regressive bargaining - they want you to pay more while they pay less, and are proposing a system that could lead to even more losses than the last contract. it is unacceptable that these 3 companies who have given raises in excess of millions of dollars to their CEO's can't give you a fair contract.
The employers think you are just going to sit there and take it, that you won't stand up and fight for what you're entitled to.
It is time to turn up the heat on these employers in the only way they understand, through their customers. In the coming days you will hear from your union representative and store steward on how you can help make that happen. It is crucial that you get involved to get a fair contract.
May 1, 2007 Update...
Why are we still in negotiations?
Simple. Because the employers refuse to agree to the same contract we negotiated with Stater Bros and Gelsons Markets.
We ratified a contract with Stater Bros in January, a contract that gave raises of at least $1.25 an hour over three years, eliminated the two tier wage and pledged to dramatically increase health care benefits.
When the employers had the chance to sign that deal, did they?
No. They refused. Again and again, they said "NO!"
Instead, they've been dragging out negotiations trying to keep your wages low and your benefits out of reach.
Let's face it: the employers are making billions in profits. If they wanted to sign the Stater Bros deal, they could.
But they won't. And that's why they keep trying to blame your union and you for the months-overdue contract. All while Stater Bros and Gelsons employees are working with pay increases and no two-tier wage system. And the longer they drag out negotiations with no new contract, they're lining their pockets even further, all at your expense.
Remember: the only way we'll get a fair contract is if we stick together and demand one.
April 23, 2007 Update...
As you already know, the federal mediator has required your union and the employers to sign an agreement to not disclose the content of negotiations.
This means we cannot talk about specifics, and makes it difficult to keep you updated on precisely where negotiations are going.
But understand: your union believes we are making slow progress. We also believe the only reason we are making any progress at all is because you are standing up to the employers.
The Albertsons strike vote and your solidarity forced the employers to bargain seriously, and only continued pressure will keep them at the table.
As we are able to give you specifics, we will. But know that we are negotiating and that your unity is what will make the employers deliver a fair contract.
April 5, 2007 Update...
Despite the employers needless provocation and threats to lock out employees yesterday, your union is committed to getting an agreement at the bargaining table.
We consider the markets threats and intimidation a sign of desperation. They know that public opinion and momentum are on our side, and their threats are a ham-handed attempt to shift blame.
After all, who could possibly believe that they would lock us out to save our jobs, as Ralphs had the nerve to claim?
But we all know the responsibility for this situation is clearly theirs.
That's why we are not going to allow them to force a repeat of 2003 and 2004.
After talks with the Federal Mediator, we have agreed to return to the bargaining table after a cooling off period.
Don't let the markets intimidate and bully you. Stand up and demand a fair contract.
April 4, 2007 Update...
Management showed its disrespect for you and their unwillingness to bargain in good faith.
Today, during negotiations and with no notice to union negotiators, the markets released to the press their intention to punish all of you by locking out all Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons members if a limited strike is called against any of the markets.
They also stated they intended to repeat their potentially illegal profit sharing scheme, a plan that resulted in federal anti trust charges and Ralphs being placed on 3 years probation for identity fraud and illegally hiring strikebreakers.
We want to assure you that you union's top priority is getting a fair agreement at the bargaining table. We've been patient and thought we were making progress.
But management instead chose to ambush you and your union, and once again refuse to compromise on a fair contract, like Stater Bros and Gelsons Markets.
Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons once again proved they are more concerned with their profits than their employees or customers.
We MUST stand up to the employers and not allow these threats and intimidation to stand. Get involved. Volunteer to talk to your fellow workers and customers. Don't let management intimidate and threaten you. Demand respect and a fair contract.
April 2, 2007 Update...
Your Union continues to meet with the employers about your contract.
Our overwhelming vote to authorize a strike, if necessary, against Albertsons was heard loud and clear. And our strong response to their illegal attempts to influence our vote put all the employers on notice that we will not tolerate their intimidation and bullying.
This show of strength and solidarity will help us get the contract we deserve.
Your union is committed to getting an agreement at the bargaining table. But we must stand up to the employers.
They can afford to give us a fair contract. They are making billions in profits because of our hard work.
March 30, 2007 Update...
Your union continues to meet with the employers to try and reach an agreement at the bargaining table.
Our goals remain the same: elimination of the two tier wage, fair benefits and a fair wage increase.
With the strike authorization for Albertsons approved overwhelmingly by Albertsons members, we are bringing a show of strength to the negotiations.
And we will hold the employers accountable for their anti-democratic actions leading up to this vote.
This week, your union filed charges against Albertsons for their blatant violations of our right to a free and fair authorization vote.
Under threat of being fired, Albertsons forced members to watch anti-union videos urging them to oppose an authorization vote. They sent union activists home from work to keep them from talking to their brothers and sisters and even interrogated members about how they intended to vote.
These anti-democratic violations of our rights and the National Labor Relations Act will not stand. Their actions show how desperate the employers become when we stand up to them.
We can get a fair contract. But we must demand it.
March 26, 2007 Update...
Yesterday, Albertsons members voted overwhelmingly to authorize union leadership to call a strike if and when necessary.
This does not mean we are going on strike. It means that the employers now know we are serious about getting a fair contract.
We will return to the negotiating table with this show of solidarity. Hopefully, the employers will now bargain seriously.
After all, Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons each made between 2.3 and 3.4 billion in profits last year. They can afford to give us a fair contract and wage increase.
Stater Brothers gave us a fair contract that eliminated the two tier wage. So did Gelsons. If they can, then so can Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons
March 22, 2007 Update...
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Your union has called for a strike authorization vote for Albertsons members to be held this Sunday, March 25th. Please click here to visit our Authorization FAQ for more information on this important vote.
March 19, 2007 Update #2...
Tonight representatives of union grocery workers and their employers agreed to extend their contract by three weeks in order to continue negotiating.
The original contract expired on March 5th, and was then extended for two weeks until midnight, March 19th.
The extension is for three weeks, until midnight April 9th. After April 9th, the extension is from day to day and can be cancelled with 72 hours notice by either party.
March 19, 2007 Update...
As of 11am today, federal mediators are continuing to meet with your union and the employers. No agreement for an additional extension has yet been reached.
We encourage all our members to show up for work tomorrow morning, whether we have an extension agreement or not.
We will update this message and our website as negotiations develop, or an extension agreement is reached.
March 16, 2007 Update...
Your union continues to meet with the employers. The extension on our contract expires at midnight on Monday, March 19th.
We are committed to negotiating an agreement that respects grocery workers contributions to their companies.
Just a few days ago, the companies released their profit numbers for the last quarter of 2006. Their profits were up by as much as 77%.
The employers can clearly afford to eliminate the two tier wage and give us fair benefits and wage increases.
They just don't want to.
We can make them give us a fair contract – but only if we demand the respect we deserve.
March 12, 2007 Update...
Last week and this week the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) brought your union and the employers together to discuss a new contract.
The FMCS scheduled dates and content for meetings that occurred last week and will occur shortly in the future.
Your union and the employers agreed to FMCS' request not to publicly release the dates or details of these meetings in order to help keep negotiators focused on reaching an agreement.
But rest assured that your union is meeting with the employers to negotiate a new contract.
We are committed to a new contract that eliminates the two tier wage and includes fair wage and benefit increases.
You can see recent television coverage, read the many newspaper stories about our negotiations and sign up for email updates through this website. Or stay updated by calling our toll-free update at 866-360-9414 or texting UFCW to 30644 on your cell phone.
March 9, 2007 Update...
Today, your union and Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons agreed to the ground rules for negotiations proposed by the federal mediator. In order to help keep negotiators focused on issues at the bargaining table, your union and the employers agreed to not reveal meeting times or the specific content of the meetings.
The Federal Mediator is responsible for scheduling meetings during this two week contract extension, but because of these media ground rules those dates will not be released.
UFCW is committed to negotiating a fair contract that eliminates the two-tier wage and includes fair benefits. We will keep you updated on the latest developments to the extent that we can given these ground rules.
March 7, 2007 Update...
As part of the contract extension agreement, a federal mediator will soon begin choosing dates for meetings between the national chains and the seven UFCW locals.
March 5, 2007 Update...
This morning, the UFCW locals and the parent companies of Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons agreed to extend the contract covering workers at their markets by two weeks. The extension will expire at midnight on Monday, March 19th.
The UFCW locals agreed to the extension on two conditions: first, that Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons must agree to concrete dates to continue negotiating; and second, that any wage increases negotiated be retroactive to the original expiration date of March 5th. The contract extension will expire at midnight on March 19th.
We are encouraged the employers have finally agreed to hard dates for meetings, which will be scheduled by a federal labor mediator, and we hope to finally begin making real progress towards a fair contract.
March 2, 2007 Update...
We still haven't heard any response from Albertsons, Ralphs and Ralphs regarding the proposals that UFCW has presented. And no meetings have been scheduled. Stay tuned for further updates.
March 1, 2007 Update...
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We are just five days away from our contract expiring on March 5th! Yet Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons have still not responded to the proposals UFCW presented to eliminate the two-tier wage and offer grocery workers fair wages and benefits.
In fact, not one meeting has been scheduled to advance negotiations despite UFCW's numerous attempts to get a response from Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons.
With this lack of response from the employers, it is very unlikely that we will have a new contract by March 5th. But know that UFCW is working hard to advance negotiations and get grocery workers the respect they deserve. But the ball is in the employer's court right now.
As you may know, UFCW is negotiating with each employer separately. We're doing this to prevent them from forming “mutual aid pacts” like they did in 2003, a scheme for which they were charged with violating Federal Anti-Trust laws by the California Attorney General. This is scheduled for trial this summer, so stay tuned!
Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons are trying to insist on holding meetings with every local individually – 21 different meetings – to try and slow down negotiations.
Your union instead presented each employer with proposals from each local. All locals are unified; there is no reason to hold so many meetings when they already have the proposals.
Stater Bros and Gelsons markets met with us as a group. We negotiated successful, fair contracts with them. There is no reason that model will not work with Albertsons, Vons and Ralphs.
So the national chains have our proposals and know what we want. But they still haven't responded, and chose to play games about 21 meetings instead.
If Stater Brothers and Gelson's can offer grocery workers a fair contract without demanding dozens of unnecessary meetings, then Albertsons, Vons and Ralphs certainly can!
Stay informed in the days ahead as we approach March 5th. Check back here regularly for the latest news and updates.
