OAK BROOK, Ill. -- United Food and Commercial Workers Local 881 here said its members, along with those of Local 1540, Mount Prospect, Ill., had voted last week overwhelmingly to approve a new contract with Dominick's Finer Foods, Northlake, Ill.
overs nearly 11,000 workers and maintains health insurance coverage with no co-payment from employees along with no reduction of other benefits. Seniority rights have been preserved, as have overtime provisions.
Dominick's had entered negotiations asking to suspend pension contributions for three years, institute health coverage co-payments, and limit seniority and overtime, according to the union.
The locals also said the new contract provides "notable wage increases...for all members of the bargaining unit."
In addition, the contract creates several new job classifications, including floral managers, journey bakers, cake decorators and doughnut fryers.
The agreement, approved by union members by a 95.5% margin, was reached "after a challenging series of contract negotiation sessions" between Dominick's and the two locals, a union spokesman said.
The union's previous contract had expired earlier this month, but the union leadership chose to continue negotiating rather than strike.
"I'm glad the company saw our members for what they are: a unified, active and serious group of union members who care about their jobs and their futures," said Robert Hooker, president, Local 1540.
Ron Powell, president of Local 881 and UFCW international vice president, said, "When Safeway acquired Dominick's, our view was that they also were fortunate to acquire a dedicated, loyal, hard-working and able union work force."