On Monday, January 18, UFCW 1518 and Save-On-Foods reached a tentative agreement on a new contract for union members. The tentative agreement came after the union and employer agreed to more job security provisions in addition to wage increases, lump-sum payouts, and many other improvements. Previously, contract negotiations had reached an impasse, and both parties had agreed to send the matter to final offer arbitration. “We are very pleased to have come to an agreement that provides significant wage and monetary improvements for thousands of workers, more job security and many other substantial improvements,” said UFCW 1518 President Kim Novak. “I’m looking forward to sharing the details of this tentative agreement in the coming days and want to thank our bargaining committee for their dedication and commitment to negotiating a strong agreement.”

What happens next?

Over the next week, we will be working hard to register our members to vote on this contract by updating contact information and specifically email addresses. Shop Steward Zoom Sessions will be held on January 27 at 7 PM PST and January 28 at 11 AM PST. All Save-On-Foods Shop Stewards and members who have been a part of the Advisory Council will be sent a link to register for one of these sessions via email. Following these info sessions, on January 28 we will send a summary document and a link to the full terms of the tentative agreement to all Save On Foods members via email. On February 1 at 7 PM PST, we will hold a Telephone Town Hall for the full Save-On-Foods membership. Bargaining Committee members, lead negotiators, and UFCW 1518 leadership will be on the call to answer members’ questions. Members will receive more information about this Town Hall in their email.

Online vote to ratify new Save-On-Foods contract to be held in February

Due to the ongoing public health restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, UFCW 1518 will be holding a ratification vote online for the new Save-On-Foods contract. The vote will open on February 2 and will close on February 6. Members will receive voting information and credentials via email. To ensure that all members can vote in this historic ratification, Save-On-Foods management will be collecting up-to-date contact information from members from January 20–26. If you are not currently receiving UFCW 1518 emails, please check in with your manager to get your email address on the list. Any members who have questions about the upcoming vote can direct them to SOFbargaining@ufcw1518.com or phone toll-free at 1.800.661.3708.