Stater Bros., Unions Agree to New Contract

COLTON, Calif. -- Hoping to avoid a repeat of the “economic and emotional disaster” of the 2003 strike-lockout, Stater Bros. Markets and seven locals of the United Food and Commercials Workers union reached tentative agreement on a new contract last week, nearly two months before the current deal expires, Jack Brown, chairman and chief executive officer of the retailer here, told SN last week. “There‘s a better way to negotiate than under the threat of a strike,” said Brown, whose company in 2003 agreed to accept whatever terms were ultimately negotiated by Kroger, Albertsons and Safeway, only to see those talks deteriorate into what became a 141-day strike-lockout. Todd Conger, a spokesman for UFCW Local 323, Buena Park, Calif., told SN the agreement with Stater provides “improvements in almost every area as compared to the last contract,” and that it would be “held up as a standard” as labor begins negotiations with Kroger‘s Ralphs stores, Safeway‘s Vons division and Albertsons stores operated by Supervalu. Union members are set to vote on the Stater Bros. deal this week. The current contract expires March 5. -- Jon Springer