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UFCW 8-Golden State ratifies contracts with Save Mart Cos., Albertsons Cos.

Members also approve agreement with Stater Bros. in Southern California

Russell Redman

May 6, 2022

2 Min Read
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The new agreements with Save Mart, Lucky, Food Maxx, Safeway and Vons supermarkets in Northern and Central California cover over 15,500 members of UFCW 8GS, UFCW Local 5 and UFCW Local 648.Save Mart

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 8-Golden State has ratified new labor agreements for grocery workers at Safeway, Vons, Save Mart, Lucky and Food Maxx supermarkets in Northern and Central California.

UFCW 8GS said the three-year contracts with Albertsons Cos. (Safeway and Vons) and The Save Mart Cos. (Save Market, Lucky and Food Maxx) bring “substantial wage” increases and uphold current health care and pension benefits. The new collective bargaining agreements cover more than 15,500 members of UFCW 8GS as well as members of UFCW Local 5 in the San Francisco Bay Area and Local 648 in San Francisco.

“The new contracts feature historic wage increases in recognition of union members’ courageous service in keeping the stores functioning efficiently throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” Jacques Loveall, president of UFCW 8-Golden State, said in a statement. “They also include medical benefit improvements with employer-paid contributions for the plans, adjustments to wage progressions, and the creation of additional Lifetime Income Security Accrual Account (LISA) retirement plans for current and future members.”

Roseville, Calif.-based UFCW 8GS noted that its members in Southern California also approved contracts with Food Maxx, Save Mart, Stater Bros. and Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions. The union said talks are ongoing between UFCW 8 and Raley’s/Nob Hill and Bel Air stores in Northern California.

Related:Workers at online grocer FreshDirect form union

UFCW 8GS had reached tentative contract accord on April 21 with Save Mart Cos. locations throughout Southern, Central and Northern California. The agreements cover 8,000 members working at all unionized Save Mart banners in UFCW 8GS’ jurisdiction under seven separate contracts at Food Maxx, Save Mart Office, Yosemite Wholesale Distribution, Lucky, Maxx Value and Save Mart Supermarkets in California.

“We have successfully negotiated the largest combined wage increases ever seen in tentative agreements with Safeway/Vons, Save Mart/Lucky and other chains,” Loveall added. “These landmark agreements are a direct result of the tremendous support of the membership and the solidarity of all UFCW locals in California.”

UFCW 8GS was one of several UFCW locals in California — also including UFCW 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442 — on April 14 to ratify three-year contracts with Ralphs (The Kroger Co.), Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions after reaching a tentative deal on April 4. The initial deal averted a strike, which had been authorized a week earlier. More than 47,000 workers are covered under the new agreement. UFCW 8GS, 135, 324, 770, 1167 and 1428 also approved a new contract with Stater Bros. on April 9 after reaching a tentative pact on April 1.

Related:UFCW averts strike against Kroger, Albertsons in California

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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