Southern California Grocery Workers Ratify Labor Pact with Big Three Chains

Grocery workers employed by Vons/Pavilions, Albertsons and Ralphs in Southern California have ratified a contract that took nearly eight months to negotiate and had many Californians , the union representing grocery workers reported Saturday.

Word came at 8:16 p.m. in an email from Bleiweiss Communications on behalf of the United Food and Commercial Workers union.

"As recommended by the union leadership, the members voted to approve an agreement that was reached on Sept. 19 with negotiators from Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons [and Pavilions] and UFCW Locals 8, 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442," the Bleiweiss representative wrote.

The representative called this a pooled vote of all local unions Friday and Saturday in Southern California.
 
"In keeping with the union’s longstanding policy, the actual numbers are not being released," Bleiweiss wrote.

Mario Frias, a 22-year Ralphs employee quoted in the email, said, "There was a sense of relief when people had a opportunity to really look over the new contract and see what was in it."

Union leaders said, "This package protects our members' access to affordable comprehensive health care for themselves and their families. That was our top priority throughout the negotiating process."

The statement continued, "We owe our success to our members, who stood united and strong, and to all of our loyal customers who pledged their support for the workers."

The new contract affects about 62,000 workers, and is good through March 2, 2014, the union said.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Friday that the new contract would end tiered health benefits that had new workers paying more money.