Grocery workers turned out in large numbers this weekend to review and vote for their proposed contract. The agreement protects health care, pension, and includes moderate wage increases.
“This deal protects our members’ health care and pension, and provides modest increases in wages,” said Rick Icaza, president of the grocery workers union, UFCW Local 770. “This is a win for grocery workers, our communities, and our local economy. Without the unity and determination of our members, this deal would not have been possible. And without the unwavering support of consumers and the community, it would have been a much tougher fight. To those supporters, thank you,” concluded Icaza.
Tom Hancock, a 30-year cashier who works at the Pavilions in Hollywood (pictured above) credited his customers, “I thought it was going to take a strike, but I had no doubt if it did, we would win it and it would take days rather than months. This will be a good week. I’ll be thanking every customer that I check out.”
The new contract affects approximately 62,000 workers in a region that spans between Kern, Inyo and Mono Counties in the north, the Mexican border in the south and the Arizona border in the east. Its term will extend from March 7, 2011, to March 2, 2014.
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Check out the L.A. Times story, “Grocery union members approve new labor contract.”
