Seven California Union Locals Agree to Merge 2006-12-01

SAN JOSE, Calif. - In a move union officials said would provide added clout in contract negotiations with supermarket employers, seven San Francisco Bay area locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers have agreed to combine into a single entity, UFCW Local 5, effective Jan. 1. The merger, between UFCW locals 120, 373, 1096, 839, 870, 1179 and 428, will represent around 25,000 workers in the California counties of Napa, Solano, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito and will be based here. Ronald J. Lind, currently president of Local 428 here, will serve as president of Local 5. The union said the combined entities would have a strike fund of $7 million, better organizing capabilities and more efficient operations.