PATHMARK REACHES ACCORD WITH UNION

DAVID GHITELMAN

NEW YORK -- United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 in the New York borough of Queens said last week it reached preliminary agreement on a four-year contract with Pathmark Stores, Carteret, N.J.

As previously reported, the local had voted unanimously to go on strike against Pathmark if an agreement had not been reached when the existing contract expired on June 22.

A Pathmark spokesman told SN, "We are pleased to have reached a settlement," but declined to discuss details of the agreement.

A Local 1500 spokesman told SN the agreement includes improvements in wages, pensions and health benefits.

He noted that Local 1500 members will vote July 2 on the contract -- along with similar agreements with Key Food Stores in the borough of Brooklyn, King Kullen Grocery Co., Bethpage, N.Y., and New York metro-area stores operated by Stop & Shop Supermarkets, Quincy, Mass., an Ahold company.

Department managers will receive a minimum raise of $115 a week over the course of the four-year contract, he said, while full-time clerks will get a minimum raise of $105, and part-time pay will increase $1.80 an hour.

Under the new contract, he added, part-timers will become eligible for health care benefits for the first time, getting a modified package that covers doctor visits and hospitalization. The spokesman said this coverage was expected to be a particular help to single mothers.