UFCW Local 1116 and ARGA (Area Retail Grocers’ Association) have begun bargaining. ARGA is a multi-employer contract representing over 2500 members in northern Wisconsin, northeastern and northern Minnesota.

UFCW 1116 represents the grocery workers and the meat cutters who have two separate but similar contracts. Negotiations are proceeding slowly as both sides have presented multiple proposals. A key issue for the members is removal of language set up in the last contract that created a two-tier system diminishing the wages and benefits of newer employees. This has had a ripple effect because of the exit of one employer and the acquisition of those stores by another employer in the ARGA.

Other issues include current continuation of the health and welfare benefits, removal of language that created a potentially huge problem for the local health and welfare fund and its members, creation of wage scales for various new positions, and increases in wages.

Negotiations are scheduled to finish by the end of April.