This Sunday, October 14th, Montana UFCW members' hard work and solidarity paid off after over a year of negotiations.  The negotiating committee for Montana Locals 4 and 8 and local union leadership agreed to fully recommend a new three year contract for members working at Albertsons and Safeway throughout the state of Montana.

The contract offer is a long overdue victory for UFCW members in Montana and contains wage increases each year for journeymen, and significant increases in the progressions for all workers. There are also significant improvements in health care coverage, which will be fully paid by Albertsons and Safeway with no increase cost to the members. In addition, during the life of the new agreement pension contributions will be increased to secure current and future retiree benefits.

One of the most significant accomplishments of the new agreement was to reach a common expiration date for 23 contracts that historically had been staggered over 20 months. This new agreement will provide workers with greater consolidated power at the bargaining table.

The offer will be presented to members for their approval later this month.