Our Stater Bros. Contract Has Been Ratified!
Our next contract campaign fight starts now!
Our new three-year agreement with Stater Bros. has officially been ratified! Taking the time to vote ensures your voice is 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 our retirement
Increased healthcare benefit contributions and quicker 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
Safety language that empowers workers to keep their workplace safe from hazards
Protections of our bargaining unit to protect against subcontracting of union work
Our journey to contract ratification was different this year. Never before have we had to fight this hard to get what we deserve. Never before has the company disrespected us, intimidated us, bullied us and retaliated against us for our union support.
However, we persevered and 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 fought for safety measures so we wouldn’t be afraid of going to work.
Our fight took us to the streets where we organized numerous rallies, marches and boycotts that showed our power. We stood up and demonstrated our unity by signing petitions and wearing buttons. These actions and your courage to stand up to your employer built the strength we needed to reach this agreement. Only by rising up together and pushing back on Stater Bros.’ illegal behavior 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. Members at El Super are also still without a contract, and our pharmacist siblings at Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions 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 Stater Bros. when they want us to keep our heads down and not speak up. But you’re not alone in this fight. Look to your left. Look to your right. Those co-workers want the same as you – jobs that they can be proud of and thrive on. We are absolutely stronger together, and we are that much stronger for our next contract campaign three years from now, so continue to stay engaged with your stewards, co-workers, and your union. That campaign is starting now, and if we learned anything this year, it’s that Stater Bros. doesn’t give us anything. We have to take it.
If you have any questions, please contact your Steward or Union Representative.
In Solidarity,
Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee
