CHICAGO -- Retail clerks in United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 881 here have ratified a new four-year agreement with Jewel Foods, Melrose Park, Ill., a division of American Stores Co., Salt Lake City.
than a three-year contract, with the retailer.
According to Ron Powell, president of Local 881, "If we can lock into a good thing for our members for four years, we certainly should take advantage of that. It saves time, money and resources for us and gives our members a greater sense of security."
The union said the new contract includes wage increases of $1.40-$2.20 an hour over the four years; the highest-paid classification -- assistant managers -- will move from $16.50 an hour to $18.50 during the term of the agreement.
Local 881 said it also had signed a new four-year contract with Osco Drugs, another American Stores division, covering approximately 5,000 clerks.