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Local 99 Report: Stand United to Secure a Decent Contract
After years of sacrifice to help the companies stay competitive and profitable, we deserve our fair
share!
Contract negotiations with the supermarket companies are at a standstill as of Aug. 18 after the
employers made unacceptable proposals.
Under the last collective bargaining agreement, the members of UFCW Local 99 made significant
sacrifices to help the employers stay competitive and profitable. As a result, the members have worked
for almost two years without a wage increase of any kind. A number of employees have not had a wage
increase in five years.
Thanks in large part to the sacrifices of our members, the companies have been enormously profitable
— even during the current recession. Our employers are earning billions in profits. We deserve a share
in that success!
Our expectations and proposals are in line with wage and benefit improvements that have been
negotiated and ratified in other parts of the country.
The companies’ proposals include an insufficient wage increase, as well as premiums for health care.
These premiums would be so high that the end result would be our members taking wage cuts in order to
pay for their health care.
The proposals also include a wage progression that would take as many as 10,400 hours to reach the
top rate of pay. That’s more than 1,600 more hours than under the current contract. In addition, the
employers want new hires to start at minimum wage and stay that way for quite a while.
This is not a time for panic. It is the time to stand behind your union.
Stay informed by calling the Negotiations Hotlines, (800) 997-0099 or (602) 254-0099, ext. 620, or
visit www.ufcw99.com/negotiations.
We will alert you as soon as there are new developments. If you have any questions, contact your
Union Representative.
Stay united!
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