UFCW, grocery store companies agree to tentative new contract after strike vote

The Ralphs grocery store in Hillcrest File photo by Staff Times of San Diego The union representing more than grocery store workers across Southern California stated Wednesday that it reached a tentative contract agreement with the companies The union workers had authorized a strike against Ralphs Albertsons Pavilions and Vons if a deal could not be reached No specific details of the proposed agreement were circulated although union administrators explained it includes higher wages additional pension contributions and improvements in physical condition welfare and staffing This triumph wouldn t have been viable without the power of our collective action according to a comment from the United Food and Commercial Workers union negotiating committee We stood strong against the companies disrespect and made it clear that we were ready to fight for the contract we deserve In the modern day proves that when workers stand together we win There was no response to a request for comment from Kroger the parent company of Ralphs or Albertsons which also owns Pavilions and Vons It was unclear when union members would hold a ratification vote Union functionaries stated details of the tentative agreement would be shared with union members during upcoming meetings The union s previously contract expired March The union publicized June that its members had voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike Although a walkout had not been called by the union workers held a series of practice strike demonstrations over the past sparse weeks