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July 16, 2009
Local 1776’s Members Members Overwhelmingly Ratify New
Four-Year Contract
with Acme
Philadelphia, PA, July 15 – The
members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 who work in 40 Acme
Markets in Greater Philadelphia tonight overwhelmingly ratified a new
four-year contract with the company.
The vote -- 99 percent to one percent – came in a meeting
at the Spectrum.
The members endorsed their bargaining committee’s
recommendation to approve the contract after more than 18 months of
negotiations. Their contract expired in February 2008, and the 4,000 members
of Local 1776 at Acme have been working under an extension since that time.
Wendell W. Young, IV, President of Local 1776, said the
contract provides pay increases, protects the workers’ health care benefits
and stabilizes their pension fund.
"It’s a fair contract, especially when you consider that
these negotiations took take place in the midst of the most severe economic
downturn in our lifetime," Young said. "Thanks to the patience of our
members and the hard work by negotiators from the union and the company, we
were able to arrive at our goal without having to make the harsh concessions
that employers have proposed around the country.
"At the same time, the contract gives Acme the flexibility
to be more competitive in this tough economic climate," Young said.
Young said that the “solidarity, persistence and determination” of Local
1776’s members encouraged the Local’s bargaining committee as the
negotiations took place. Acme’s customers, too, “played a major role,” he
said.
“Many
of them made it clear that they supported us and that they were prepared to
act accordingly had it become necessary,” Young said. “We owe them a huge
thank-you for their understanding and their willingness to speak up for
us.
“Our
members now look forward to continuing to provide the best possible service
to their customers,” he added.
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