UNION ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

GREG GATTUSO

QUEENS VILLAGE, N.Y. -- The union representing some 16,000 supermarket workers in the Metropolitan New York market last week announced a tentative agreement with King Kullen, Pathmark, and Edwards Supermarkets, just three days before the contract was due to expire.

The new contract must still be ratified by the membership.

The Local also settled with three Key Food supermarket groups, Mandell's, Dans Supreme and Quick Pick. The collective bargaining agreement, which also includes Stop & Shop Supermarkets, covers about 175 stores in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County.

Frank Meehan, Local 1500 president, told SN the union was extremely satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations, which preserved premium pay on Sundays, increased medical benefits and raised wages for full-time department heads and clerks and hourly employees. In addition, the union won increases in pension credits, Meehan said. Representatives of the retailers could not be reached for comment.