On April 25th-26th, we met with Food4Less for our second round of bargaining. At our last bargaining session, we asked the company to be ready at the table this time with serious answers to our proposals that would move bargaining forward and allow us to reach an agreement on the strong, equitable contract that we deserve.
Unfortunately, they continue to shoot down our reasonable offers and refuse to share their proposals on some of our most important issues, like wages.
We've been clear with Food4Less: We want to reach a fair agreement by the time our contract expires on June 8th. That's why we gave them all of our proposals on the very first day of bargaining and expected them to come today prepared to negotiate on the issues that affect our lives.
We deserve a new contract that delivers equity with other union grocery stores, higher wages, and better staffing by the time our contract expires. We're ready to bargain as often and as long as it takes to reach a Tentative Agreement by June 8th. We work hard to make our company successful, and it's time that Food4Less recognizes that with a fair and equitable contract.
What's Next?
After our last bargaining session, we asked the company to meet over a dozen more times before our contract expires. They only agreed to meet with us six times.
While we are meeting again on May 7th-8th, we sent a clear message: We don't want to waste time at the bargaining table. We're here to bargain for the contract you deserve. But Food4Less needs to hear from all of us if they're going to get serious about negotiating for a fair contract.
That's why your Union Representatives and Stewards have been circulating a petition in every one of our stores. Thousands of us have already signed, but if you still need to, now is the time to make sure your voice is heard.
When the company sees us signing petitions, attending rallies, and bargaining, it will know that we are standing strong for a fair contract.
We will continue pushing for productive and frequent bargaining sessions to allow us to negotiate for the contract we deserve.
As always, if you have any questions about bargaining or if there is anything we can help you with, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Union Representative.
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On April 10th and 11th, we met with Food 4 Less for our first round of bargaining.
We began the session by presenting our proposals, which included higher wages, equity with other union grocery stores, and better staffing.
The company then gave us proposals that would weaken our jobs, our contract, and our union. We told them their proposals were unacceptable and will fight to make our jobs and our lives better. We will not accept a contract that is anything less than what we deserve.
We made our priorities explicit. We shared with the company how much our jobs have changed since we negotiated our last Food 4 Less contract. The COVID-19 pandemic, record-breaking inflation, and skyrocketing prices in Southern California have made it harder to put food on our families’ tables. We told them that we are expected to do more work with less staff, yet many of us still struggle to get the hours we need.
What’s next?We will meet again with the company on April 25-26 for our second round of bargaining. Between now and then, the company will consider the proposals we made, and we will continue to ask the company to come to the table with serious proposals that value our work.
Our contract is set to expire on June 8th.When a contract expires, it doesn’t mean that our wages, benefits, or protections will end. However, we will push Food 4 Less to reach an agreement with us on the contract we deserve by the day our contract expires.
If Food 4 Less fails to make an offer that rewards our hard work and sacrifice by June 8th, it will be up to members like us to decide what actions we will take to win the contract we all deserve. To make a strong contract possible, we must stay united, strong, and engaged.
Whether at the bargaining table or in the stores, we have the power to show the company that we’re serious about our proposals and ready to stand together to get a strong contract.
If you have any questions about bargaining or if there is anything we can help you with, please do not hesitate to contact your Union Rep.
Contract negotiations are starting for thousands of hard-working UFCW members in California who work for Food 4 Less. Our first scheduled bargaining session with Food 4 Less is on April 10th-11th.
All seven UFCW Locals that represent Food 4 Less workers, 8GS, 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428, and 1442, will send coordinated updates after each bargaining session to keep you informed and involved in the fight to get you the contract you deserve.
Over the past few months, Union Representatives have been in our stores, hearing from our members about the issues that matter the most and what we'd like to see in our next contract. Our participation in the bargaining surveys and conversations with our Union Stewards and Reps have made our priorities clear, and it's time for Food 4 Less to come to the bargaining table ready to hear our voice. We're prepared to stand up for the equity, fair pay and benefits, and safer stores you deserve.
We have worked hard to make Food 4 Less. the profitable company it is today. Thanks to us, California families know they can turn to Food 4 Less for quality service, competitive prices, and a great shopping experience. We keep our stores running, and we deserve a contract that rewards our essential service to our communities.
Now it's time to fight for:
How we'll get there:
When hundreds of Food 4 Less members like us turned out for the contract kickoff rally at the Baldwin Park Food 4 Less, our company got the message that Food 4 Less. workers deserve to be taken seriously.
This action gives the bargaining team the power to go toe-to-toe with the company at the bargaining table.
If you have any questions about bargaining or if there is anything else we can do to support you, please do not hesitate to contact your Union Representative or Steward.
SoCal UFCW Locals have confirmed negotiation dates with CVS, which are scheduled to begin on May 23rd, and continue on June 5, 13, 20, 21, 2024.
SoCal UFCW Locals have confirmed negotiation dates with Food4less, which are scheduled to begin on April 10 and continue on April 11, 25, 26, May 7, and 8.
When available, negotiation updates for Rite Aid be posted to this space.