Teamsters Ratify 5-Year Contract

SN STAFF

LOS ANGELES — Following approval by Kroger teamsters last week, warehouse workers and drivers at Supervalu-owned Albertsons, Safeway-owned Vons and Stater Bros. Markets, along with several smaller operators, have approved new five-year contracts.

The union had been in negotiations with the chains since August.

"It was a very tough negotiation, especially because of these economic times," said Randy Korgan, business manager for Teamsters Local 63 in Rialto, Calif. "A lot of people are seeing wage freezes or cuts, and our members respect that fact."

Korgan declined to discuss terms of the agreement but said the combined increases in pay and pension contributions exceed the $2.40 per hour pay raises the union received in 2005 — raises that were spread over the five years of the contract. He also said the new agreement allows workers to maintain a medical plan with no out-of-pocket expenses.