Stater Bros. Update: Wages For Some, Not For All
It’s clear Stater Bros. doesn’t care about workers at all
We met with Stater Bros. for another day of bargaining where the company began by doubling down on its mistreatment of courtesy clerks. At the last session, we asked why the company was hiring courtesy clerks at some stores and laying them off at others. Today, they responded to that question by informing us of a freeze on hiring new courtesy clerks.
And the day only got worse after that. They provided us with a wage proposal of $3 over three years, but only for the workers at the top rate. Don’t we all work hard? Don’t we all deserve a wage increase that recognizes the increasingly high cost of living in California?
Relying on California’s mandated minimum wage increases is not enough. We’ve presented a wage proposal to increase top wages by $5.50 and with fair increases for every single worker at Stater Bros. We all contribute to Stater Bros.’ prosperity and we all deserve to be able to pay our rent and put food on the table.
Stater Bros. continues to come to negotiations and disrespect us, our union representatives and the role we play in the company. They refused to allow the federal mediator to come to negotiations today. The mediator’s job is to serve as a neutral party to help ensure that bargaining is productive and fair. Even Kroger and Albertsons have welcomed the mediator to help the bargaining process along. We strongly encourage Stater Bros. to reconsider having the mediator here at our next session.
What can you do in the meantime? Your union representatives and SPURs will be out in the stores distributing buttons to all Stater Bros. members. Wear the button! This act of solidarity shows Stater Bros. that we’re all united and standing together for the contract we deserve. When our customers ask about the button, tell them that we’re fighting for a fair contract and that Stater Bros. is disrespecting us and our contribution to their success.
Continue to stay in touch with your co-workers. Tell them that we work hard to make our company successful and it’s time that Stater Bros. recognizes that with a fair contract for all workers. Stay involved with the Grocery Workers Rising campaign! Updates are on our website and social media accounts at www.groceryworkersrising.org.
We will send another update after our next session on March 19, 2025. Remember, these updates come directly from your co-workers on your bargaining committee and have the most up-to-date information about what is happening at bargaining. We’re here fighting for the best interests of all Stater Bros. workers to ensure we all get what we deserve.
If you have any questions about bargaining, or if there is anything we can help you with, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Steward, Union Representative, or Bargaining Committee Member.
In Solidarity,
Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee
