UFCW 8-Golden State has reached tentative contract agreements with both Safeway and Vons in California markets, the union announced Sept. 23.
The tentative agreements were signed with Safeway stores in Northern and Central California and Vons in Fresno.
The four-year agreement with Safeway “protects and enhances” the wages, benefits and workplace standards for about 9,000 workers at 130 Safeway stores, as well as retirees, according to the UFCW, which added that a separate four-year agreement with Vons “accomplishes similar protections and enhancements” for about 500 Union employees at several Vons stores.
The agreements will be submitted to both chains’ union employees for ratification. Members will receive mail ballots and materials explaining the details of their tentative agreements in the next few weeks.
“Thanks to the unity of our members, we were able to reach agreements our members can be proud of,” said Jacques Loveall, president of UFCW 8-Golden State. “These tentative agreements provide the highest wages, the finest benefits and the most generous pension plans in the grocery industry.”
Details of the settlements will not be released until union members have had the opportunity to review and ratify the tentative agreement.
UFCW 8-Golden State, which represents workers in several industries through much of Northern, Central and Southern California, added that contract negotiations are continuing between the union and representatives from Save Mart Supermarkets, Raley’s Supermarkets, Bel Air Markets and Nob Hill Foods.
