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