http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20070723-0015-grocery.htmlSAN DIEGO – Grocery workers at Southland Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions supermarkets have a new contract Monday, averting a repeat of the costly strike and lockout of 2003-04, according to union officials.
The 63,000 workers at more than 850 grocery stores “overwhelmingly” ratified a new four-year contract with the supermarket chains Sunday, said Barbara Maynard of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770.
The exact tally is to be released Monday, along with details of the contract, she said.
In a statement from Safeway – the parent company of Vons and Pavilions – an executive said the chain is pleased that workers ratified the agreement, which will expire on March 6, 2011.
“I applaud the UFCW International Union, the seven Southern California UFCW locals and our employer bargaining partners for coming to agreement on a contract that benefits our employees, customers and company," said Safeway Chairman, President and CEO Steve Burd. “This new agreement will provide employees with the best wages, benefits and working conditions in the Southern California retail market, while making certain Vons has the tools to thrive in a highly competitive environment."
“This contract also contains some unique and groundbreaking reforms in the healthcare plan,” Burd said in the statement. “We know from experience these changes will create an improved health plan for our employees that focuses on improving their health through prevention and wellness while simultaneously helping control escalating healthcare costs. Everyone involved recognized the tangible benefits of these programs and worked together diligently to craft innovative healthcare solutions."
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