Union and Stater Bros. reach provisional agreement following prolonged disagreement
In a significant development, Stater Bros. Markets and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) have reached a new contract agreement, ending months of negotiations and union action. The new contract, which covers approximately 12,000 workers in Southern California, includes higher wages, improved retirement benefits, better healthcare access, and enhanced staffing and safety protections [1][5].
The contract's details have not been fully disclosed, but both parties have emphasized that the negotiations were conducted in good faith to achieve a fair deal that supports workers while maintaining competitive customer prices [1][4][5]. The agreement is for a three-year term, and union members will soon review and vote to ratify the tentative agreement [1][5].
The union had been operating under an expired contract since March and had voted to authorize a strike. However, the resolution of the negotiations means that a strike is not immediate [2]. This development brings Stater Bros. in line with other major Southern California grocery chains whose workers ratified similar contracts last month [6].
The union had previously accused Stater Bros. of bargaining in bad faith and had filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board alleging surveillance, interrogation, and retaliation against workers exercising union rights [3]. Stater Bros. had disputed these charges [2].
The union's efforts, including boycotts and rallies, were aimed at addressing these concerns and securing a fair deal for their members. UFCW 770 President Kathy Finn said, "The workers had to stand together" [5]. A separate boycott of the Huntington Beach location was also canceled after the agreement was reached [7].
Stater Bros. Markets, which employs about 18,000 workers in 167 locations [8], opened its first store in Yucaipa, Calif., in 1936 [9]. The company had previously laid off dozens of clerks in Southern California stores, including 63 clerks across four stores in March [4].
This new contract is a significant step towards resolving the labor disputes and ensuring fair working conditions for Stater Bros. employees. The ratification process will determine whether the agreement will take effect, marking a new chapter in the relationship between Stater Bros. and its workers.
[1] https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-08-12/stater-bros-union-reach-tentative-agreement-on-new-contract [2] https://www.ucw770.org/news/stater-bros-workers-vote-to-authorize-strike [3] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/25/business/stater-bros-union-strike.html [4] https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-03-25/stater-bros-laid-off-dozens-of-clerks-in-southern-california-stores [5] https://www.ucw770.org/news/stater-bros-workers-ratify-new-contract-after-months-of-negotiations [6] https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-07-25/stater-bros-union-strike [7] https://www.ocregister.com/2022/08/12/stater-bros-union-agreement-cancels-huntington-beach-boycott/ [8] https://www.staterbros.com/about-us/ [9] https://www.staterbros.com/about-us/history/
- The new contract between Stater Bros. Markets and UFCW, reached after months of negotiations, covers approximately 12,000 workers in Southern California.
- The agreement includes improvements in wages, healthcare access, retirement benefits, staffing, and safety protections for the workers.
- This contract has been reached in good faith, with both parties aiming for a fair deal that supports workers and maintains competitive customer prices.
- The ratification process is imminent, and the outcome will determine whether this new contract will lead to a new chapter in the relationship between Stater Bros. and its workers.
