Los Angeles (Sept. 24, 2011) — Grocery workers from seven UFCW local unions voted on Friday and Saturday to ratify a contract that took nearly eight months to negotiate and had Californians from Mammoth to the Mexican border preparing for what appeared to be an imminent strike.
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 UFCW Locals 8, 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442.
This is a pooled vote of all the local unions in Southern California. In keeping with the union's long-standing policy, the actual numbers are not being released.
The widespread impact of the averted crisis was evident in the faces of those who voted throughout Southern California. Business leaders, clergy, community activists and politicians ultimately played a role in the grocery workers' struggle to preserve affordable health care as the campaign reached into local neighborhoods for public support.
Many saw the impending fight as part of an ongoing struggle to preserve middle class values, predicting that the outcome would affect workers in many industries well into the future. Despite an awareness of the battle's historical significance, the grocery workers in Southern California were anxious to see how the final agreement would impact them directly.
"There was a sense of relief when people had a opportunity to really look over the new contract and see what was in it," said food clerk Mario Frias, a 22-year Ralphs employee.
"This package protects our members' access to affordable comprehensive health care for themselves and their families," union leaders said. "That was our top priority throughout the negotiating process.
"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 approximately 62,000 workers in a region that spans between Kern, Inyo and Mono Counties in the north, the Mexican border in the south and the Arizona border in the east. Its term will extend from March 7, 2011, to March 2, 2014.
Presidents of the UFCW Local Unions in Southern California:
Bill Lathrop
UFCW Local 1167 (Inland Empire, including San Bernardino and Riverside Counties)
Mickey Kasparian
UFCW Local 135 (San Diego and Imperial Counties)
Greg Conger
UFCW Local 324 (Orange County and Long Beach area)
Rick Icaza
UFCW Local 770 (Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles Counties)
Connie M. Leyva
UFCW Local 1428 (Pomona and Claremont area)
Michael Straeter
UFCW Local 1442 (Santa Monica, Westwood, El Segundo and South Bay)
Jacques Loveall
UFCW 8-Golden State (Northern & Central Calif., plus Kern, Inyo & Mono Counties)