UFCW 8-Golden State ratifies contracts with Save Mart Cos., Albertsons Cos.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 8-Golden State has ratified new labor agreements for grocery workers at Safeway, Vons, Save Mart, Lucky and Food Maxx supermarkets in Northern and Central California.

UFCW 8GS said the three-year contracts with Albertsons Cos. (Safeway and Vons) and The Save Mart Cos. (Save Market, Lucky and Food Maxx) bring “substantial wage” increases and uphold current health care and pension benefits. The new collective bargaining agreements cover more than 15,500 members of UFCW 8GS as well as members of UFCW Local 5 in the San Francisco Bay Area and Local 648 in San Francisco.

“The new contracts feature historic wage increases in recognition of union members’ courageous service in keeping the stores functioning efficiently throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” Jacques Loveall, president of UFCW 8-Golden State, said in a statement. “They also include medical benefit improvements with employer-paid contributions for the plans, adjustments to wage progressions, and the creation of additional Lifetime Income Security Accrual Account (LISA) retirement plans for current and future members.”

Roseville, Calif.-based UFCW 8GS noted that its members in Southern California also approved contracts with Food Maxx, Save Mart, Stater Bros. and Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions. The union said talks are ongoing between UFCW 8 and Raley’s/Nob Hill and Bel Air stores in Northern California.

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UFCW 8GS had reached tentative contract accord on April 21 with Save Mart Cos. locations throughout Southern, Central and Northern California. The agreements cover 8,000 members working at all unionized Save Mart banners in UFCW 8GS’ jurisdiction under seven separate contracts at Food Maxx, Save Mart Office, Yosemite Wholesale Distribution, Lucky, Maxx Value and Save Mart Supermarkets in California.

“We have successfully negotiated the largest combined wage increases ever seen in tentative agreements with Safeway/Vons, Save Mart/Lucky and other chains,” Loveall added. “These landmark agreements are a direct result of the tremendous support of the membership and the solidarity of all UFCW locals in California.”

UFCW 8GS was one of several UFCW locals in California — also including UFCW 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442 — on April 14 to ratify three-year contracts with Ralphs (The Kroger Co.), Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions after reaching a tentative deal on April 4. The initial deal averted a strike, which had been authorized a week earlier. More than 47,000 workers are covered under the new agreement. UFCW 8GS, 135, 324, 770, 1167 and 1428 also approved a new contract with Stater Bros. on April 9 after reaching a tentative pact on April 1.

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