Albertsons/Vons/Stater Bros. Negotiations Updates

April 4, 2022

Breaking Alert
Tentative Agreement Reached on Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, and Ralphs Contract

Your UFCW bargaining team has reached a tentative agreement with Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions and Ralphs.

This historic agreement is the direct result of your actions, delegations, conversations with co-workers and customers, and ultimately, your decision to fight for the contract you deserve.

This member-led deal would not have been possible without the strength of the 60,000 members behind us at the table.

Important Reminders

This is a TENTATIVE AGREEMENT and is not final until you vote to accept it.
We will be scheduling vote days, times, and locations shortly. Please look out for updates from your Local union.
Your determination to stand up to the unfair labor practices that would undermine workers’ power to get a good contract made this possible. Please know that standing up for our rights works.

Next Steps
UFCW staff from all over the country are being sent in to assist with ratification votes. Your solidarity and victory here sends a message to workers everywhere– that essential workers have earned and deserve a better life.

Full details of the agreement will be provided to members as soon as possible. Thank you for all that you do and have done to get the contract you deserve.

April 1, 2022

TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED WITH STATER BROS.

Because of your hard work and dedication to standing together and making your voices heard, all UFCW SoCal Local unions have reached a tentative agreement on your contract after meeting again with Stater Bros. this week.

Vote meeting information regarding locations, dates, and times will be sent to Stater Bros. members’ homes, where we will go over the details of this agreement and let you make the ultimate decision on the terms of your contract.

Your vote is your voice. This contract is not finalized until you say it is, so please make sure you attend your ratification meeting.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please reach out to your Union Representative.

Thank you to our bargaining committee!

March 29, 2022

SoCal UFCW locals made some progress with Stater Bros. today. We agreed to meet again soon.

March 26, 2022

ULP STRIKE AUTHORIZATION VOTE OVERWHELMINGLY PASSES

Over the past week, you and your fellow Ralphs, Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions members have made your voice heard by overwhelmingly voting to authorize a strike. Should your employers continue committing unfair labor practices (ULP’s) like conducting unlawful surveillance of workers protesting or refusing to implement wage increases as required by your contract, to name a few, then we must take action.

You and your coworkers have shown incredible strength during negotiations, and your vote sends a strong message to these companies that you have earned and deserve better.

What does this mean?

This vote prepares all of us to take action if the companies continue to commit unfair labor practices that undermine your ability to get the wages and benefits you need. A strike is always a last resort, and we will continue to push for the companies to do the right thing and come to the table prepared to bargain in good faith.

A representative from your union will notify workers if a decision is made to strike.

AGAIN: DO NOT WALK OUT UNTIL YOUR UNION NOTIFIES YOU. If you walk out before that, you can be disciplined and/or fired by your employer.

You will always be the first to know if we are taking action. There will be opportunities to attend member meetings, calls, or trainings, where you can ask questions and feel confident about standing up for your rights and standing together.

If the companies force us to take action, we will have strike benefit funds available to support our members.

Next Steps

We are set to meet with Ralphs and Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions again on March 30th and will keep you updated as bargaining progresses.

We look forward to reaching a fair agreement within a reasonable time.

You deserve to be treated with respect, to have the wages you need to live in the communities you serve, and to receive the benefits and protections you are entitled to without unlawful intimidation or surveillance.

You deserve a fair contract, now.

March 24, 2022

We met with Stater Bros. on March 24-25, and while there has been productive dialogue on a fair contract, there is still more work to be done. We will keep you updated as negotiations continue.

In the meantime, we want to thank you for the strength and solidarity you have shown over these past few months. You deserve a contract with meaningful wage increases, generous benefits, and strong protections.

Please make sure you are talking with your co-workers about the importance of standing strong and united for a fair contract.

March 22, 2022

On Tuesday March 22nd OUR UFCW Local 1428 Members from Albertsons and Vons came out and voted in masses to make their Voices Heard and to show that they Will Not Stand By and Let Their Companies Continue to Commit Unfair Labor Practices and Voted Yes to Authorize an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Strike if deemed necessary.

We held two main meetings at 9am and 6pm plus had ALL day Voting to accommodate OUR Members with limited schedule availability.

We had Many Non Stop small group and individual meetings throughout the day to make sure everyone had the opportunity to vote.

UFCW Locals throughout Southern California have been voting over the last few days and ALL UFCW Grocery Members Votes and Voices will be Heard!!!

March 11, 2022

The first negotiations meeting with Stater Bros. ended yesterday (3/10/22) with your union bargaining team presenting a proposal that addresses the issues that matter most to you – fair wage increases, improved safety and security, and better staffing. We have future meetings set and we will keep you updated on our progress.

The strength and commitment of members like you is what makes Stater Bros. successful and by standing together, we will show our strength at the bargaining table.

March 6, 2022

When we began negotiations with Ralphs and Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions in January, we came prepared with comprehensive proposals and a clear path toward negotiating a contract that reflects your value and the sacrifices you have made.

We are disheartened to inform you that Ralphs and Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions squandered the unique opportunity to propose a contract with better wages and benefits in a time of immense profit. They have failed.

Your contract expired at midnight tonight without a new agreement in place.

Although your contract has expired, all terms and conditions of the contract remain in effect.

In just a few short weeks, we collected thousands of petitions calling for a contract that addresses the issues that matter to you the most. Your bargaining committee delivered those petitions to the company at the table today and shared stories about losing co-workers and loved ones from COVID, not being able to afford rent or take care of their families, feeling harassed and over exposed in the stores, and ultimately, not feeling like their company truly values them.

We have also presented numerous proposals with fair wage increases, better health benefits, and contract language that protects you and your coworkers, but there is a major disconnect between the value of the wage proposals that the companies are offering and what you as an essential worker deserve.

These employers’ actions over the past several days show that they do not respect your hard work and sacrifice.

Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Charges Filed against Ralphs and Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions

We have filed legal charges against Ralphs with the federal government’s National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for violating labor laws by surveilling, intimidating, and interfering with employees for engaging in union activity.

We have also filed legal charges against Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions for refusing to disclose information we have requested in order to bargain your contract.

Upcoming Strike Authorization Votes for Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions Clerks and Pharmacists

Each Local is preparing strike authorization votes for you to make the decision to stand together against these unfair labor practices that undermine your power at the bargaining table. We will send out notices and more information soon.

For Stater Bros. Members
This past Friday, we filed NLRB charges against Stater Bros. after hearing from many of you that store managers violated labor law by circulating surveys with questions about bargaining and for delaying negotiations (both unfair labor practices). After numerous requests for Stater Bros. to meet with us to begin negotiations, we finally have our first meeting scheduled for March 10th and will keep you updated as things progress.

For Gelson’s Members

Gelson’s negotiations began Friday, February 25th with your union committee presenting and explaining our proposal. We have requested more meeting dates and will keep you updated.

For Ralphs and Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions Pharmacists

We met this past Wednesday and have additional bargaining dates scheduled for March 11th and 14th. Please stand by for more updates as negotiations continue.

We know you are essential. Your customers and communities know you are too. Now it’s time to let the company know just how essential you are. One of the most powerful ways we can build a better life is by standing together, saying enough is enough, and fighting as one.

March 4, 2022

Breaking Alert for all Stater Bros. Members

We have filed legal charges against Stater Bros. with the federal government’s National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) after hearing from many of you that store managers are circulating surveys with questions about bargaining and trying to bypass your right to union representation.

When management directly approaches and deals with workers about bargaining your contract, that is by definition an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP).

If you, or any of your coworkers have been approached by management to fill out a survey or talk about contract negotiations, please let your union rep know immediately.

Part of the value of being in a union is that you have the right to representation on any and all issues that impact you in the workplace — from wages and benefits, to working conditions, staffing levels, and store safety — and no employer has the right to take that away from you or bypass your legal right to union representation.

Additionally, for more than a month, we have been asking Stater Bros. to send over meeting dates so we can begin negotiating your new contract. We have been ready for months to address the issues that matter most to you and your coworkers.

We understand it is upsetting and confusing when — instead of coming to the table to negotiate a contract with your bargaining team like we have been asking them to do — the company decides to engage in delay tactics and play games with last-minute surveys and side-conversations in the stores.

Because of these unfortunate delay tactics, it is not our intent to sign an extension of the current contract, set to expire March 6th. The terms of your current contract will remain in effect after March 6th. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your union rep.

We have again reached out to Stater Bros. to meet with us immediately to begin negotiations on your contract and have our first meeting scheduled for March 10th. We look forward to discussing a contract with the fair wages essential workers like you deserve and will keep you updated.

February 25, 2022

Discussions with Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions and Ralphs this week have been fairly productive. We’ve addressed some contract language items on workplace conditions and are just beginning discussions on wages. Both sides remain committed to working towards a solution in a timely manner, however, the real conversations regarding wages, progression scales, and benefits are just beginning.

For Gelson’s and Stater Brothers Members

Gelson’s negotiations begin Friday February 25 and we are still waiting for Stater Brothers to send dates to meet.

What We’re Fighting For:

From conversations with you in the stores, to surveys and feedback from your stewards, we have heard your concerns and needs. Whether it’s inflation, cost-of-living increases, understaffing in your stores or high turnover and unfair scheduling, we know it takes a lot to run a grocery store and provide for your families, and you have more than stepped up to get it done.

That’s why we are unified at all tables and have made it clear that you are essential, not only to the survival and success of your stores, but to your customers and communities as well.

You have earned a contract that addresses the issues that matter most to you:

Fair wages for essential workers
Improved safety and security
Better staffing for better service
Stable and predictable scheduling
Enough hours and shorter wage progressions
Elimination of two-tier pay and vacation schedule
Improved medical benefits

Next Negotiation Dates:

We will be back at the negotiation table with Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions and Ralphs from March 1 – 6 and will email out another coordinated bargaining update at the end of negotiations on the 6th, which is also the day the contract is set to expire.

In the meantime, you should see petitions circulating in your stores, please sign and get your coworkers involved. Our unity and strength in numbers is what will secure a contract that you can be proud of. Whether it’s a petition or a rally, sharing updates or direct action, our power at the table comes from you and your coworkers standing together and taking action.

Thank you for all that you do to make our stores and communities better

February 14, 2022

The first in-person negotiations between Albertsons/Vons and Ralphs and your bargaining committee – made up of your fellow coworkers and UFCW Local Unions 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428, 1442, and 8GS – ended last week with numerous proposals exchanged and many productive discussions over the past two days. However, after much dialogue and back and forth, a lot of work remains.

We remain committed to winning a contract that recognizes all of the sacrifices and value you bring to California communities. A contract with pay that reflects your work, improved safety & security, sufficient staff to serve your customers, enough hours and shorter wage progressions, and improved medical benefits.

We know that the strength and commitment of the 60,000 UFCW members is what makes these companies highly profitable and by standing together, we will win the great contract you have earned.

We will meet again with the companies on February 22, 23, and 24 and will continue to keep you informed.

February 8, 2022

Negotiators from Local 1428 and the six other UFCW union locals in Southern California are meeting with the major supermarket companies to negotiate a new contract.

The stakes are even higher than usual this year, when supermarket workers are still enduring the effects of a pandemic that is showing no signs of going away.

The employers know our members have enabled them to rake in huge profits while working in dangerous and stressful conditions. Even so, they won’t willingly share any of those profits unless we stand together and demand it.

The key to our success is union solidarity among ALL of our members, whether they work at Albertsons, Ralphs, Vons, Stater Bros., Kaiser Permanente, Rite Aid, CVS, or any of the cannabis dispensaries with a UFCW contract.

The employers must be convinced you will stand behind your union and do whatever it takes to win a fair agreement.

Here’s what you can do right now to help:

Stay united, this is your contract.
Don’t pay attention to rumors and don’t spread them.
Call your union if you have questions.
Attend your union meetings and stay informed.
Make sure we have your up-to-date contact information so you will receive emails, texts or phone calls.

We will prevail — because solidarity is our strength!

January 31, 2022

Negotiators from Local 1428 and the six other UFCW union locals in Southern California are meeting with several of the major supermarket companies to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.

These talks are always an important matter if you work at Albertsons, Ralphs, Stater Bros. or Vons. The stakes are even higher this year, when supermarket workers are still enduring the effects of a pandemic that is showing no signs of going away.

The employers know you have been essential workers who have enabled them to rake in huge profits. Even so, they won’t willingly share any of those profits with you unless we stand together and demand it!

The key to our success is union solidarity. I am confident our side will prevail — if you, the members, stay strong and united.

The employers must be convinced you will stand behind your union and do whatever it takes to win a fair agreement.

Here’s what you can do right now to stay informed:

Don’t pay attention to rumors and don’t spread them.This is the season for rumors, many of them destructive. Sometimes, the employers will deliberately spread false information to lower morale and create dissension in the ranks. Don’t give in to rumors. Get the facts from your union!
Attend your union meetings. Get the facts from the only people who serve your interests and only your interests. If you have questions about the negotiations, you can also ask your union representative directly.
Engage your fellow members. Remind your union sisters and brothers that we fought hard to get the benefits we enjoy today. We need an informed and engaged membership that will fight for what we deserve.
Stand strong together! Let it be known that this union is a family and our members support their union 100 percent.

Our history shows that when we stand together, we prevail!