SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane grocery store workers overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract in their first union negotiation.
UFCW 3000 confirmed their new contract on May 2, expressing their excitement with the negotiations.
“In the midst of a proposed grocery mega-merger, we’ve sent a clear message —We have power in our communities, we have a voice in our workplace, and we have a strong new contract that will be the backbone for our future,” UFCW 3000 said.
According to UFCW 3000, the contract includes many improvements, including the following:
Increasing Journey Wages $4.00 or more.An “All Purpose Clerk” scale with historic pay raises for many departments. This includes a 25% wage increase for some departments. Healthcare benefit improvements with no increases to premiums or deductibles. Healthcare eligibility will now be based on all compensable hours. Significant improvements to vacation banks, ensuring vacation is based on hours worked. Automatic pension funding increases every time wages increase. Dedicated money to fund training and workforce development.
“I am really excited for my co-workers who worked for years in the Deli, my co-workers will get wage increases that they deserve. This will help make sure we can keep people here in the store,” Jeff Yergens, a Safeway employee, told UFCW 3000.
