Seattle Clerks, Teamsters to Vote on New Contracts

ELLIOT ZWIEBACH

SEATTLE — More than 20,000 retail clerks and 2,500 Teamsters at over 200 stores in the Puget Sound area are scheduled to vote in the next few days on new three-year agreements with Albertsons; Kroger Co. — represented here by Fred Meyer and QFC; and Safeway. The unions have indicated they will recommend a “yes” vote on the agreement. The new contract will succeed one that expired May 5. While both sides have agreed not to release details of the contract before voting takes place, local sources told SN the contract is likely to address the issues of more advance notice on work scheduling and first-day sick leave, as well as wages and health benefits. Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Locals 21, 44 and 81 are scheduled to vote Sunday through Tuesday and member of Teamsters Local 38 are set to vote Tuesday.

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