Bargaining Successes At CVS And Food 4 Less This Year
2017 was a busy year for collective bargaining as we faced both CVS and Food 4 Less . We were successful in ratifying contracts that protected or improved benefits and increased wages at both companies .
The CVS Agreement was our first opportunity to negotiate a new contract since we organized hundreds of new CVS stores in Southern California . Fair wages in line with the increasing minimum wage as well as more affordable health care in our newly organized “ B ” stores were our top priorities . After a contract campaign including member education , a drug steward conference , and members from both CVS and Rite Aid standing together for fair wages and affordable health care , we ratified a contract on that was a big success . It included :
• More scheduling notice
• Better protections in case of layoffs or reductions
• Increased opportunities to claim full-time jobs
• Increased access to health benefits in the “ B ” stores through a guarantee of 30-hours / week for part-time workers with 3 years of service
• Increased affordability of health care in “ B ” stores through a weekly bonus for those who sign up for benefits , and
• Increased wages and a quicker progression to reach the top rate of pay , guarantees to keep all rates a fixed amount above the increasing minimum wage rates in the state and various municipalities .
The Food 4 Less Agreement expired June 4 , 2017 . Food 4 Less stores have become more like conventional stores in every way except the pay and benefits , with employees earning substantially less than at the other SoCal Kroger owned chain : Ralphs .
Our goal in negotiations has been to close that gap . The Company ’ s goal , on the other hand , was to combine Warehouse Clerk work and General Clerk work into a new All Purpose Clerk (“ APC ”) classification . Our union refused to agree to this proposal except as part of a settlement that moved us towards our goal as well .
Ultimately , we did agree to the APC classification but we won wage and hour protections for Grandfathered Warehouse Clerks and wage increases for General Clerks ( as they transition to the APC classification ) that close the gap with Food Clerks at Ralphs by $ 0.20 per hour . This settlement was not perfect but it sets us up to continue fighting to close the pay gap with Ralphs .
KATHY FINN , SECRETARY-TREASURER
While these settlements are good , Local 770 ’ s new leadership is focused on finding ways to achieve better outcomes in future negotiations through member involvement . Members should have more opportunities to be involved in the every step of the process from developing proposals , to sitting at the bargaining table , to planning rallies and other aspects of the contract campaign . We are excited to move forward with these plans and look forward to the bargaining successes that can be achieved .
UFCW 770 VOICE | 6
Bargaining Successes At CVS
And Food 4 Less This Year
2017 was a busy year for collective bargaining as we faced both
CVS and Food 4 Less. We were successful in ratifying contracts
that protected or improved benefits and increased wages at
both companies.
The CVS Agreement was our first opportunity to negotiate a
new contract since we organized hundreds of new CVS stores
in Southern California. Fair wages in line with the increasing
minimum wage as well as more affordable health care in our
newly organized “B” stores were our top priorities. After a
contract campaign including member education, a drug steward
conference, and members from both CVS and Rite Aid standing
together for fair wages and affordable health care, we ratified a
contract on that was a big success. It included:
• More scheduling notice
• Better protections in case
of layoffs or reductions
• Increased opportunities
to claim full-time jobs
• Increased access to health
benefits in the “B” stores
through a guarantee of
30-hours/week for part-time
workers with 3 years of service
The Food 4 Less Agreement expired June 4, 2017. Food 4 Less
stores have become more like conventional stores in every
way except the pay and benefits, with employees earning
substantially less than at the other SoCal Kroger owned
chain: Ralphs.
Our goal in negotiations has been to close that gap. The
Company’s goal, on the other hand, was to combine Warehouse
Clerk work and General Clerk work into a new All Purpose
Clerk (“APC”) classification. Our union refused to agree to this
proposal except as part of a settlement that moved us towards
our goal as well.
Ultimately, we did agree to the APC classification but we won
wage and hour protections for
Grandfathered Warehouse Clerks
and wage increases for General
Clerks (as they transition to the APC
classification) that close the gap with
Food Clerks at Ralphs by $0.20 per
hour. This settlement was not perfect
but it sets us up to continue fighting
to close the pay gap with Ralphs.
• Increased affordability of
health care in “B” stores through
a weekly bonus for those who
sign up for benefits, and
• Increased wages and a quicker
progression to reach the
top rate of pay, guarantees to
keep all rates a fixed
amount above the increasing
minimum wage rates in the
state and various municipalities.
KATHY FINN, SECRETARY-TREASURER
UFCW 770 VOICE | 6
While these settlements are good,
Local 770’s new leadership is focused
on finding ways to achieve better
outcomes in future negotiations
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