On July 3, members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) voted to ratify a new three-year contract with Food 4 Less/Foods Co. The contract was reached after months of negotiations and active participation from thousands of Southern California grocery workers. The members are from Locals 8GS, 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442.
This contract will go into effect immediately for over 6,000 essential grocery workers in Food 4 Less/Foods Co. locations across Southern California.
The seven UFCW Locals released the following statement:
“Today, by ratifying this contract, Food 4 Less/Foods Co. workers have secured meaningful raises, increased hours for part-time workers, and a more direct path to top-rate pay over the next three years. After countless hours at the bargaining table and in the streets between their shifts, the hard-working members of UFCW stood together for their families and each other and secured a strong contract.
This contract is a concrete and direct result of the tireless work of the member-led bargaining committee. Together, our members are fighting for a more promising future, and this contract will help to achieve that goal.”
Key provisions of the agreement include:
- Wage increases for all workers
- More hours guaranteed for all part-time workers
- Reduction in the hours it takes to reach top-rate pay
- Additional premiums for select positions
- Ratification bonuses for all workers
- Increased starting wage rate
United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 135, has a membership of over 12,000 workers throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties, including over 700 members at Food 4 Less. Members consist of workers in various fields including grocery & retail; health, pharmacy & dental; meat & sugar processing; gaming; and cannabis. UFCW Local 135 is part of the 1.3 million-member strong UFCW International.
