by Negotiators have reached a tentative agreement with Stater Bros. Markets, and grocery workers throughout Southern California will vote on a new contract.
If ratified, the agreement will result in significant contractual gains for over 12,000 union grocery workers, including over 650 represented by UFCW Local 135 in San Diego County, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers.
The agreement, which was reached late Wednesday after what the union described as a rigorous two-day bargaining session in a news release, includes pension and retirement security improvements, faster and better access to health care, increased staffing to lessen workloads, protections for workers against unfair labor practices, and higher wages across all classifications.
Starting at 8 a.m., employees will cast electronic votes to approve or disapprove the draft agreement. Wednesday: Voting ends at 5 p.m. the next day.
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Following months of conflict, which included organization across the region, customer boycotts, and authorization votes for strikes due to unfair labor practices, the accord was reached.
According to UFCWLocal 135 president Todd Walters, “this agreement is a direct result of the power and unity our members showed every step of the way.” He also stated that our members made it clear that they will not accept anything less than the respect they have earned as important workers.
