On May 13, Acme Markets employees represented by United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1776 Keystone State approved a new four-year contract that improves wages and protects benefits for thousands of Acme members who serve Philadelphia-area customers.
The new contract covers 3,300 union members working in more than 40 Acme Markets locations. Negotiations began in late 2017 and continued over the following year, wrapping up in early May of this year.
Highlights from the approved contract include:
• Increased starting rate;
• Lump sum/hourly wage increases;
• Increased premiums for many positions;
• Expanded anti-discrimination language that covers gender identity and expression;
• Protection of benefits; and
• Continued provisions for retirement.
“When we started negotiations, we had a tough road ahead with some challenging decisions to make. However, throughout more than a year of bargaining, our union committee remained dedicated and unwavering as we worked to secure a good union contract. We worked tirelessly to ensure that all key matters were tackled,” said UFCW Local 1776KS President Wendell Young IV. “I am proud of our team for the hard work they have put into this contract. At the end of the day, we were able to find common ground and reach an agreement that continues to provide for retirement, increases wages, protects our members’ benefits and expands anti-discrimination language. It is a good outcome and a solid contract.”
Acme Markets is a subsidiary of Albertsons and operates more than 160 supermarkets throughout Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, including 41 stores in Southeastern Pennsylvania represented by UFCW Local 1776 Keystone State. UFCW Local 1776KS represents more than 35,000 union members, including supermarket workers across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and New York.
