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Grocers, Unions Extend Contract Talks Deadline to Nov. 19

By Dale Kasler
dkasler@sacbee.com

By Dale Kasler The Sacramento Bee

Published: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011 - 12:15 pm
Last Modified: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011 - 12:26 pm

Contract talks between major supermarkets and their workers have been extended to Nov. 19, the United Food and Commercial Workers said today.

It was the second contract extension since talks began.

The talks come as the major unionized supermarket chains, such as Raley's, Safeway and Save Mart, wrestle with an increasing number of low-cost competitors, such as Wal-Mart.

"This is the most challenging round of talks we've faced in decades," said Jacques Loveall, president of UFCW 8-Golden State, in a prepared statement.

The economy, pension funding, health care reform and the creep of non-union competitors are all straining the process."

The Roseville local represents thousands of workers in Northern and Central California.

The union's contract ran out Oct. 8 but was extended first to Tuesday, and now to Nov. 19.

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/09/4042457/grocers-unions-extend-contract.html

Grocery Contract Extended to
November 18
Rank and File Members to Join Talks

Grocery negotiations with Raleys, Safeway and Save Mart, which have been progressing slowly but steadily have been extended to November 18, the Friday before the Thanksgiving holiday.

In an effort to pick up the pace members directly from the stores will be joining union negotiators to hash out contract language with the companies. It is very important in this stage of bargaining that all members show their support for a good contract. Campaign buttons and stickers are available from your steward, union rep or at local 5 offices. Updates are available here, on the negotiations page and through the local's various social media applications. Visiit our facebook page, download an iphone or droid app or follow the local on Twitter. Links are available in the upper right hand corner of the homepage on this site.

http://ufcw5.org/

Terms of Previous Contract Extended Again, to Nov. 19

It is clear this is the most challenging round of talks we’ve faced in decades. The economy, health care reform, pension funding and the creep of non-union competitors are all straining the bargaining process.

In order to continue addressing these tremendously complex issues, both sides have agreed to extend the terms of our previous contract for an additional 11 days, until Nov. 19. It is our intent to conclude these negotiations with a contract that you and your fellow Union members will be proud to ratify.

Thank you for standing strong with your Union. Together we will prove, once again, that Solidarity Works!

http://yourbreadandbutter.com/news/industry-discussions

Raleys, Safeway ,Savemart Extend Contract Talks Again..

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/10/4043856/raleys-safeway-save-mart-extend.html

Thursday, November 10, 2011

By: Dale Kessler

"The marketplace has changed dramatically since our last contract negotiations in 2007," said Save Mart spokeswoman Alicia Rockwell in a prepared statement. "As a result, these are very serious negotiations as our company is facing unrelenting competition from low cost, nonunion stores coupled with a recession, and high health and welfare costs."

At stake is one of the last of the middle-class, blue-collar occupations in California. The Roseville UFCW local says its cashiers, for instance, earn up to $21.13 an hour, plus benefits.

Over the past eight years, since Wal-Mart opened its first California supermarket, unionized grocers in the state have faced declining market share, and labor relations have become increasingly tense.

While wages have generally held up, the UFCW has had to give ground on issues such as employee health care contributions.

"The penetration of the unionized portion of the grocery industry continues to erode," said Bay Area industry consultant Robert Reynolds, a former Safeway executive. "The influence of Wal-Mart can't ever be ignored."

Safeway spokeswoman Susan Houghton said medical inflation and nonunion competition are the major issues in the contract negotiations.

UFCW Local 5 Negotiations Update #8

http://ufcw5.org/ENegotiationsUpdate8.pdf