Even as we celebrate the demise of the ill-conceived merger of Kroger and Albertsons (see article on page 6 of the Winter 2024/2025 Desert Edge), this union continues its constant focus on improving the lives of our members. So, for this edition of Desert Edge, I’ll devote my column to an update of what we’re doing on several fronts.
Grievances: We recently filed and won two major grievance awards on behalf of our members. Through the efforts of union reps and arbitrators, we won back-pay settlements with Albertsons totaling $587,906.02 and another with Stater Bros. that will soon be awarding another $600,000 to employees who were paid incorrectly. One member alone received a check of more than $20,000 for back pay because she was being paid at the wrong rate.
Of course, it is best to catch such problems early, before going through the grievance process. Please read both Rosie’s Corner on page 12 and the Union Representatives’ Report on page 13 to learn about checking your pay stubs to ensure you’re being paid correctly.
We can only do so much as your union, so it’s up to you to take note of what you’re being paid. Albertsons and Stater Bros. are good union employers, but experience tells us that if someone can get away with short-changing you, they won’t hesitate to try. The more you take an active role in the quality of your job, the more you’ll get out of your union.
We recently agreed on tentative agreements with CVS and Rite Aid, and both were ratified enthusiastically by the members. We thank them all for taking the time to vote and ensuring their voices were heard.
Because of their solidarity and commitment to fighting for the contracts they deserve, all of our Rite Aid members will see significant wage increases in each year of their new contract. Initial increases will be retroactive to July 21, 2024. They will also enjoy new longevity rates at 10 and 15 years.
There’s more in these great agreements we negotiated after months of hard bargaining. Rite Aid has agreed to fully fund all health care and pension benefits, with no changes for the duration of the contract. Our members also have guaranteed full-time and part-time hours that the company tried to reduce.
Meantime, our CVS members ratified a new three-year agreement that includes wage increases for all workers in each year of the contract. Initial increases will be retroactive to July 7, 2024. These members also will have new longevity rates at 10 and 15 years, resulting in wage increases of close to 20 percent over three years.
In addition, the new contract with CVS includes the elimination of the two-tier wage scale in the store associate and associate Rx classifications. Members also will enjoy an increased health care bonus for those who struggled with the high cost of the company plan and protection of health benefits for those who are in the union-managed health plan.
These victories are a direct result of our power at the bargaining table and in our stores!
Looking ahead: Now that these two contracts are ratified, we still have major challenges ahead.
We worked hard in the election to get a labor-friendly administration in Washington, but the country decided to take a different direction. Still, no matter who is in the White House, we will always have your best economic interests at heart.
Here’s what you can do to help make the best of this situation: Stay engaged with your union! Whatever happens in D.C., the power of our collective solidarity will put us in a better position when we return to the bargaining table.
As we look ahead to negotiations with the major food employers, we can no longer be just CVS workers fighting for CVS workers or Rite Aid workers fighting for Rite Aid workers. We all must be UFCW 1167 members fighting for UFCW 1167 members!
All of us at UFCW Local 1167 wish you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a happy and successful year ahead.
UFCW Local 1167 President Joe Duffle
(909) 877-5000 ext 150
joe@ufcw1167.org