Our Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions Contracts Have Been Ratified!
Our new three-year agreements with Ralphs and Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions have officially been ratified! Thank you for taking the time to vote and making your voice heard. Because of our solidarity and commitment to fighting for the contract we deserve, our new contract includes:
Substantial wage increases
A new supplemental pension plan to help workers in their retirement
Increased healthcare benefit contributions and faster healthcare eligibility requirements for new hires
Staffing language that includes the union in evaluating reasonable staffing levels that address efficient operation of the store, the health and safety of employees, and the quality of customer service.
The journey to contract ratification saw a record turnout of grocery workers, customers, and community members, all fighting for the same thing – better stores, better lives, better communities. We fought to ensure our jobs would be sufficient to feed our own families and afford health benefits and a dignified retirement at the end of a long career. We also fought for more staffing to improve the customer experience at our stores.
Our fight took us to the streets where we organized numerous rallies and marches that showed our power. It took us to our stores where we stood up and demonstrated our unity by signing petitions and wearing buttons. We also joined with customers in the fight for more staffing, talking to over 3,000 customers about their shopping experiences and sharing their feedback with these companies that can afford to do better. These actions built the strength we needed to reach this agreement. Only by rising up together were we able to make a change in our workplaces that will benefit both us,our co-workers, and our customers in the future.
Our fight isn’t over though. Our fellow union members at Stater Bros. are still experiencing the same disrespect Ralphs and Albertsons showed us while they’re fighting for their stores, their lives and their communities. Members at Gelson’s, Super A and El Super are also still without contracts, and our brothers, sisters and siblings in our pharmacies are gearing up for their fight next year. They all stood by us to get this contract, now we have to stand by them.
We are a union, and we are only as powerful as we make it. It’s up to us to be brave and stand up to our companies when they want us to be meek and keep our heads down. You’re not alone in this fight. Look to your left. Look to your right. Those co-workers want the same as you. We are absolutely stronger together, and we are that much stronger for our next contract campaign, so continue to stay engaged with your stewards, co-workers, and your union throughout these next three years. That campaign is starting now.
If you have any questions, please contact your Steward or Union Representative.
In Solidarity,
Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee
