Grocery workers ratify Raley’s contract that raises wages, expands health care benefits
Thousands of grocery workers represented by UFCW 8-Golden State overwhelmingly ratified a contract agreement with Raley’s that contains wage increases and expanded health care benefits.
The union’s leader, Jacques Loveall, said: “Our members appreciate the value and security this contract provides, which would not be possible without the continued solidarity with their union.”
Loveall described pay raises as significant over the life of the three-year deal, but did not provide a percentage increase. The contract also provides that active employees also will not have to pay premiums for their health care coverage.
“With this feature, the companies have recognized the progress we’ve made in progressive health care plan design and our tireless work re-inventing health care delivery,” Loveall said.
The UFCW & Employers Benefit Trust also benefited from a long-sought antitrust victory against Sutter Health. The California Department of Justice negotiated a $575 million settlement with Sutter and required the health care giant to make changes in its business practices.
Attorney General Xavier Becerra, whose lawsuit subsumed one filed years before by the UFCW trust, said plaintiffs would share in the damages from the lawsuit but did not say how much each group would receive.
The UFCW news release said West Sacramento-based Raley’s also agreed to the following:
- Expand funding for the defined-benefit pension plan and re-activate a supplemental 401(k) plan called an Individual Account Plan.
- Extended health care coverage for up to nine months during disability leave.
- Shorten the waiting period for health benefits for new hires.
“The additional pay, expanded sick leave benefits and other measures UFCW 8-Golden State negotiated to address the COVID-19 pandemic recognize the extraordinary contributions retail workers are making while supporting our communities in these times of crisis,” Loveall said. “Our members are heroes on the front lines.”
Supermarkets have been classified as essential businesses during the stay-home orders, meaning they remain open for the public to buy groceries and dry goods. However, Loveall and other UFCW leaders have repeatedly expressed concerns about exposure to people who have COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.
In response, many supermarkets have taken a number of steps such as limiting the number of customers in the store, stressing social distancing in store signage, asking shoppers not to bring in re-usable bags and installing acrylic barriers to protect workers. The new coronavirus is spread when people come into contact pathogen-laden droplets emitted when people talk, sneeze or cough.
Raley’s has more than 11,000 employees at its stores in California and Nevada.
This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 5:59 PM with the headline "Grocery workers ratify Raley’s contract that raises wages, expands health care benefits."
