Grocery Workers Rising - Stater Bros. 2025 Updates

Grocery Workers Rising – Stater Bros. 2025 Updates

• 25 July 2025
• in: Uncategorized,What's Happening

July 25, 2025

We Voted YES! ULP Strike Authorization Overwhelmingly Passes!

We’ve had enough of Stater Bros.’ union-busting tactics and illegal actions that undermine workers 

We have spoken loud and clear.

This week, 12,000 Stater Bros. workers across Southern California came together and overwhelmingly voted YES to authorize an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike against Stater Bros. for breaking the law by surveilling, interrogating, and discriminating against union members.

This vote sends a strong message to Stater Bros.: We’ve had enough of their union-busting tactics that undermine workers and silence our voices. And if they thought Stater Bros.’ members could be scared away from standing up for our rights, they found out tonight that they are very, very wrong. 

What does this mean?

This vote prepares all of us to take action if Stater Bros. continues to commit unfair labor practices that undermine our rights. It does not mean we are on an Unfair Labor Practice strike right now. If you walk off the job before the union declares a strike, you can be disciplined and/or fired. Remember, you will always be the first to know when we take action. 

What’s next?

An Unfair Labor Practice strike is always a last resort, and we will continue to push Stater Bros. to do the right thing. We’re scheduled to go back to the bargaining table on July 30 and 31, where we are demanding that the company stop breaking the law, and negotiate a contract that respects the work we do. We are fed up with being overworked, disrespected, and undervalued.

Meanwhile, stay connected. Stay ready. This is our moment. We are united, and we are ready to do whatever it takes to defend our rights. 

We’re ready to show our strength with a rally on August 1, 2025. Join us in Long Beach from 11AM-1PM to demonstrate that we’re ready to do what it takes to get the contract we deserve. RSVP for the action here: https://ufcw324.org/stater-bros-august-1-rally-rsvp/ 

If you have any questions about what’s happening at the table, the ULP strike authorization, or anything else, reach out to your Bargaining Committee Member, Steward, or Union Representative. 

In solidarity,

Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee

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July 21, 2025

 

STATER BROS. UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE STRIKE FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions we are hearing from our members about the contract and a possible Unfair Labor Practice strike:

What does it mean that our contract has expired?
An expired contract DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE ON STRIKE. All contract provisions/protections remain in place while we are negotiating, including your health insurance. You should continue to go to work according to your work schedule until an official representative of the union notifies you that a strike impacting your store has started. It’s very important to stay in touch with your steward and union rep who will be communicating information to members in the stores about actions and next steps in real time. IF YOU WALK OFF THE JOB BEFORE THE UNION DECLARES A STRIKE, YOU CAN BE DISCIPLINED AND/OR FIRED.

What is a strike?
A strike is when members vote to withhold their labor and do not report to work. Workers instead report to a picket line. A strike is a powerful tool for members to exercise and is always our last resort. Strikes are most effective when all employees in a struck location refuse to go to work.

What is an unfair labor practice (ULP)?
A ULP is when the company interferes with or discriminates against workers for their union activities. This violates federal labor law. Examples of a ULP include not allowing you to wear buttons, filming or keeping an eye on you at union actions, or otherwise retaliating against you for union activity. We have filed Unfair Labor Practice charges against Stater Bros. for unlawfully surveilling members who have been active in the contract campaign, discriminating against members on the basis of their union support, interrogating members and bypassing the union’s bargaining committee and making proposals directly to members. We contend that these actions by the company are unlawful and by filing charges, we show we will not be intimidated by their threats.

What is an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike?
A ULP strike is when workers walk off the job and/or do not go to work per their scheduled shift to protest unfair labor practices the company has allegedly committed.

What is an economic strike?
An economic strike is a work stoppage by workers seeking economic benefits such as wages, hours, or other working conditions. An economic strike happens when the employer, employees and their union are unable to reach a collective bargaining agreement and the most recent proposal on the table is unacceptable to employees.

How is an economic strike different from an unfair labor practice strike?
Striking to protest unfair labor practices (unlike an economic strike) means that workers can not be permanently replaced. In addition, workers can return to work without a contract being approved.

Would my job be protected while on an unfair labor practice strike?
Employees who strike to protest an unfair labor practice committed by their employer are called unfair labor practice strikers. When the strike ends, unfair labor practice strikers, absent serious misconduct on their part, are entitled to have their jobs back even if employees hired to do their work have to be discharged. (source: https://www.nlrb.gov/strikes)

What has to happen for us to strike?
Three steps must be taken before we can legally strike:

1. The contract must expire or otherwise not be in effect
2. At least two-thirds of the workers in the Southern California bargaining unit who participate in the vote must vote to authorize negotiators to call a strike
3. The negotiators (union leaders and workers on the bargaining committee) must decide WHEN to strike in order to make it most effective.
   a. A Union representative will notify workers it is time to walk out on the line.

AGAIN: DO NOT WALK OUT UNTIL YOUR UNION NOTIFIES YOU. If you walk out before that, you could be disciplined and/or fired by your employer.

When would we go on strike?
We would not automatically go on strike and TAKING A STRIKE VOTE DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE ON STRIKE. A date would be set following a vote from the membership authorizing the strike and following strike sanctions from our International Union and Labor Councils. In the period between the strike authorization vote and the strike deadline, the union would continue to attempt to bargain with Stater Bros. IF YOU WALK OFF THE JOB BEFORE THE UNION DECLARES A STRIKE, YOU CAN BE DISCIPLINED AND/OR FIRED.

If we go on strike, when would we picket?
Picket Captains would set a schedule along with the union representative for picket coverage during open hours and during deliveries to maximize our effort to send customers somewhere else while we are on strike.

If we go on strike, how long would we be on strike?
Nobody can predict how long we will be on strike. UFCW Local 7 in Colorado was on strike for 10 days and in Oregon, the grocery workers’ strike was only 36 hours. ULP strikes can be for a set period. If we go on strike, our union leaders and bargaining committee will determine the length that is most strategic for us to be out. Ultimately, the length of time of a potential strike depends on a number of factors, but how well customers are honoring our strike is clearly the most important.

Will we receive pay while on strike?
The union has a strike fund that pays a benefit to striking workers. Here are the amounts the UFCW 324 Executive Board has approved:

COURTESY CLERK: $100 Per Day Up to $500 Per Week
GM CLERKS/TECHS: $135 Per Day Up to $675 Per Week
FOOD CLERK/MEAT CUTTER: $160 Per Day Up to $800 Per Week

Would I lose my benefits/insurance if we go on strike?
You qualify for insurance on a skip month basis. If you work the qualifying hours in June, you have insurance in August. Here’s an example, if a clerk works 92 hours in June, they have qualified for healthcare in August. Clerks must work 92 hours in a month, clerks helpers must work 64 hours, meat cutters must work 76. The union and the company can bargain a strike settlement agreement that can ensure there is no gap in coverage.

* Because UFCW members fought hard and advocated for a bill in Sacramento, locked-out or striking workers now have access to Covered California if they lose their health insurance because of a labor dispute.

What will happen to members who cross the picket line if we go on strike?
Strikes are hard on everyone, but they’re only effective when ALL the members remain united and demand the companies treat their employees with dignity and respect. When members cross the picket line they are letting the companies know the members are divided. The UFCW 324 Executive Board has the authority to determine if and what actions may be taken against scabs.

What happens if members simply stay home? (Don’t walk the picket line but don’t go to work)
Again, strikes are most effective when ALL workers remain united and show the companies our power. When workers don’t walk the picket line that sends a message to the company that we are not united and may result in a weaker contract. Our strength has always been in our connection to our customers, and if we’re on strike, we need to make sure those customers shop at our other union locations until we return to work. By being on the picket line, you will be able to persuade your customers to shop at other union locations.

Will the Teamsters support our strike?
Yes, we’ve met with the Teamsters and they’ve expressed their support for our members. As long as there is a physical picket line at a store and in front of the loading dock, the Teamsters will not deliver their load.

Could I work somewhere else while on strike?
Yes. However, you must show up for your picketing shifts to receive the strike benefit. Our strength has always been in our connection to our customers, and if we’re on strike, we need to make sure those customers shop at our other union locations until we return to work. Your continued participation is necessary for a successful strike. Your union representative can help you find other work around your picket shifts.

Can they close the store, fire us, and then reopen as non-union?
The companies may threaten this as a scare tactic to discourage workers from going on strike. This is a violation of national labor law.

Do I keep my same job classification and pay once a strike is over and I go back to work?
A ULP strike would not affect your job classification. The terms of returning to work depend on the contract negotiated.

What is the difference between a strike and a lockout?
A strike is an action initiated by the union while a lockout is an action initiated by the employer.

What if I have more questions?
There are many questions members will have throughout this process. Stay in touch with your steward, bargaining team member, or union representative throughout this process. The most important factor in winning a strong contract is our power and our solidarity. Staying informed is critical to staying united.

Follow us on the Grocery Workers Rising (https://groceryworkersrising.org/) or UFCW 324 website (https://ufcw324.org/stater-bros-2025-updates/), social media accounts and make sure you are on our text message distribution list. If you’re not receiving text messages, please contact your union representative to ensure you’re added.

Remember: the best way to get stand up to Stater Bros.’ disrespect is to show Stater Bros. that we’re united and stronger than ever.

 

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July 15, 2025

We’re Taking an Unfair Labor Practice Strike Vote! 

Two months ago, Stater Bros. told us, your bargaining committee, that they don’t want to negotiate with us until we have a deal with Kroger and Albertsons. Well, last week our fellow union members at Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions overwhelmingly voted yes to ratify a new contract that includes higher wages, improved pension, health and welfare improvements, staffing, and other improvements they deserve as the backbone of these companies.

Stater Bros., it’s now your turn.

Since March, we’ve pushed Stater Bros. for real solutions to short staffing, unsafe conditions, and unfair wages, but all we’ve seen is disrespect and frivolous bargaining sessions. And while we’ve been fighting to reach a deal, they’ve been breaking the law, unlawfully surveilling members who have been active in the contract campaign, discriminating against members on the basis of their union support, interrogating members and bypassing the union’s bargaining committee and making proposals directly to members.

That’s why we’re scheduling unfair labor practice strike authorization votes in the coming weeks.

The ULP Strike Vote will be on Thursday and Friday July 24 and 25, and we will be outside each Stater Bros. store. A specific schedule with times and locations will be provided to you shortly.

In the meantime, make sure you’re signed up to learn more at one of our ULP strike authorization vote webinars on Wednesday, July 23 at 9AM and 7PM:

Register for the July 23 9AM call 

Register for the July 23 7PM call 

We’ve never had to take an Unfair Labor Practice strike vote at Stater Bros., but the company has changed. We need to stand up to our company’s unlawful behavior. By violating our rights, Stater Bros. is making our fight for our futures, our families, and our communities harder. That’s why we need EVERY SINGLE UNION MEMBER to come out and vote YES during the Unfair Labor Practice Strike vote. We need to send a loud and clear message to them with our vote.

We’re scheduled to return to the table on July 30 and 31, and it’s time we make Stater Bros. understand that we won’t back down. Join us on August 1 for a rally from 11AM – 1PM in Long Beach to show the company that we’re standing up against their unfair labor practices. RSVP here: https://ufcw324.org/stater-bros-august-1-rally-rsvp/ 

Stay involved and do not hesitate to reach out to your Steward, Union Representative, or Bargaining Committee Member with any questions.

In Solidarity,

Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee

 

 

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May 21, 2025

Stater Bros. admits they’ve been wasting our time at bargaining

We met with Stater Bros. for our seventh day of bargaining today, where we spent a good portion of the session discussing subcontracting of our work. Stater Bros. wants the right to bring in subcontractors and take away our work and our power in the store. That is totally unacceptable. Our work has to be our work and we won’t allow it to get taken over by subcontractors! We’re outraged at Stater Bros.’ position because Kroger and Albertsons agreed to our proposed language all the way back on February 27, 2025, during our THIRD session!

This issue is one of the most important protections we have in our contract and we must do everything we can to fight against Stater Bros.’ attempt to weaken us.

We also thought you should know that we didn’t receive a single proposal from the company today. The few minutes we met with them they spent asking us questions AGAIN about the health benefits they pay for and backtracking on things they have said in previous sessions.

At the end of the day, Stater Bros. told us they don’t want to negotiate with us until we have a deal with Kroger and Albertsons.

What can we do while Stater Bros. stalls until their competitors come to a deal? 

Stand with Kroger and Albertsons members while they are taking their strike vote next month! The contract our brothers, sisters and siblings win from Kroger and Albertsons will directly influence the contract we receive here. If they are forced to go on strike, we must join their picket lines and ensure Kroger, Albertsons and Stater Bros. know we’re all standing together and are willing to fight for what we have earned and deserve.

We’re holding a call for members to answer your questions about the strike vote for Kroger and Albertsons members and give you an update on negotiations on Monday June 2, 2025 at 7PM. Register for the call here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PGOaAvsUQdWMORtJiYYpFQ.

Join us on Friday, June 20, 2025, at a rally in front of Ralphs to show all of our employers that we’re ready to do what it takes to get the contract we deserve. RSVP for the action here: https://ufcw324.org/620-rally-rsvp/ 

Friday June 20, 2025 12-2PM | Ralphs | 6290 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90803

Right now, it’s imperative that Stater Bros. knows we’re ready and willing to do what it takes to get the contract we deserve. The more we participate in actions like the march in La Verne or rally in Redlands, stay involved in bargaining, and stand together, the more power we have at the table to negotiate for the contract we deserve. And we deserve better than Stater Bros.’ nefarious actions to intimidate you from participating in union actions.

We will continue to escalate our campaign with more actions and more ways you can get involved. Stay involved and do not hesitate to reach out to your Steward, Union Representative, or Bargaining Committee Member with any questions.

In Solidarity,

Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee

 

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April 21, 2025

Another insulting wage proposal

We deserve more!

Today we met with Stater Bros. for our sixth day of bargaining, where they spent the day rejecting several of our proposals on common sense workplace protections. Our proposals included protections for workers impacted by the use of new technology in the stores and protections for immigrant workers. They also continued to question our proposal for Special Project Union Representative (SPUR) leave.

This morning we gave Stater Bros. a counter offer on our wage proposal and we expressed that they need to come back to the table with an offer that includes everyone, not just the people at the top wage rate. At the end of the day they responded with another insulting offer. While they finally added the meatcutters to the proposal, their proposal is still only $1 each year for those at the top rate of pay. Nothing for those who aren’t at the top rate of pay, nothing for department heads, nothing for those in the progressions and nothing for courtesy clerks.

It’s clear that Stater Bros. isn’t going to move on the issues we care about until they know we’re ready and willing to do what it takes to get the contract we deserve. Continue to wear your buttons! This act of solidarity shows Stater Bros. that we’re all united. When we stand together, we have more power at the table to negotiate for the contract we deserve.

We also know that our customers are standing with us in our contract fight, so we’re holding customer engagement actions where we’ll give out informational flyers to customers. It’s time we show Stater Bros. that our customers are standing with us to improve our stores, working conditions, and neighborhoods.

Here are the actions at Stater Bros.:

• Tuesday, April 29: Stater Bros. #155 – 7814 E. Firestone Blvd., Downey, CA 90241
• Monday, May 12: Stater Bros. #60 – 18527 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, CA 92686
• Tuesday, May 20: Stater Bros. #165 – 3325 E. Chapman, Orange, CA 92669

RSVP for one (or all) of the actions here: https://ufcw324.org/gwrhandbillrsvp/

We’re waiting for Stater Bros. to provide future bargaining dates. In the meantime, we will continue to escalate our campaign with more actions and more ways you can get involved, including engaging with our customers in front of our stores. Stay involved and do not hesitate to reach out to your Steward, Union Representative, or Bargaining Committee Member with any questions.

In Solidarity,

Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee

 

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April 11, 2025

“There’s Nothing for Anyone Else”

We Have a Long Way to Go

Finally Stater Bros. admitted the truth today – that their proposal has no increases for meatcutters, courtesy clerks and the people in the progressions. We asked them three separate times and they confirmed every time that “there’s nothing for anyone else.” That’s unacceptable. $1 per year for only the people at the top of the payscale is unacceptable! We are all dedicated to this company and work hard to make it a place where we’re proud to work. We all deserve a raise!

Today we handed over multiple proposals on important issues – immigration protections for workers, AI/training and leaves for union business, and had the opportunity to engage in conversations about them. At the very end of the day, Stater Bros. acknowledged their responsibility to participate in our health and pension benefit fund on the same basis as the other large grocers in our area.

But we still have a long way to go.

Right now, it’s imperative that Stater Bros. knows we’re ready and willing to do what it takes to get the contract we deserve. We know we deserve better from Stater Bros. and to get that we need to stay involved in bargaining. Continue to wear your buttons! This act of solidarity shows Stater Bros. that we’re all united. Join calls like the ones hundreds of members attended this week. When we stand together, we have more power at the table to negotiate for the contract we deserve.

Join our next campaign action on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 11:00 AM in La Verne, CA. We’ll be marching from Vons to Stater Bros. to show how powerful we are when we stand together. Talk to your union representative or bargaining committee members if you need transportation to the march.

Register for the march here: https://forms.gle/zTyhcqMDGusAL7kv6 

We return to the bargaining table on April 21, 2025. In the meantime, we will continue to escalate our campaign with more actions and more ways you can get involved, including engaging with our customers in front of our stores. Stay involved and do not hesitate to reach out to your Steward, Union Representative, or Bargaining Committee Member with any questions.

In Solidarity,

Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee

 

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March 21, 2025

Negotiations are not a game Stater Bros.

This is our livelihood

Stater Bros. talks to us like we’re idiots. We’ve had four bargaining sessions with the company and it’s clear they don’t know how negotiations work.

They’re hiding their full wage proposal and they’re the ones accusing us of playing games. On the very first day of bargaining, we gave Stater Bros. all of our proposals, including a comprehensive wage proposal. Today they admitted they were holding off on presenting wage increases for meatcutters and courtesy clerks until we respond to their $1 per year increase for only the food, GM and meat clerks at the top rate.

We won’t sit by while they attempt to piecemeal wage increases for some and try to divide us. All of us deserve fair wages, not just the workers who they deem to be the most important.

We also tried to address another big issue to us – staffing. We gave them a full staffing proposal and explained why adequate hours and full time jobs are so important to our stores. But they don’t care. The company just wants to increase their profits while requiring us to do more and more work with less and less staff.

We’ve confirmed April 11 for future negotiations and we’re waiting to hear back from the company on more dates. When we meet again with Stater Bros. we expect them to stop playing games and come prepared to negotiate on the issues that affect our lives.

The federal government offers a service that helps parties resolve contracts to avoid a labor dispute. The bargaining committee requested Stater Bros. to participate in this process to have more productive conversations and the company continues to refuse.

What can you do to stand up to Stater Bros.?

Stay tuned this weekend for a video from your bargaining committee about the company’s misinformation. We’ll post it on groceryworkersrising.org and our social media accounts. In the meantime:

Join us on all Southern California UFCW grocery worker call on Wednesday April 9 at 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Join these calls to hear exactly what’s happening at negotiations with Stater Bros. and future actions from the best source – us – your bargaining committee. We’ll be talking about the company’s misinformation campaign, what their proposals are, and what we’re fighting for. Register for the calls with the links below:

April 9 at 9AM: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Rojs95hGSrOHGK1PN0Zxpg

April 9 at 7PM: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Hm_1DzLBQJek_tAMy-F3sA 

Join our next campaign action on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 11:00 AM in La Verne, CA. We’ll be marching from Vons to Stater Bros. to show how powerful we are when we stand together. Talk to your union representative or bargaining committee members if you need transportation to the march.

Register for the march here: https://forms.gle/zTyhcqMDGusAL7kv6 

Continue to wear your buttons! 

The company sees how powerful and united we really are – that’s why they’ve resorted to spreading misinformation and attempting to undermine us, the people at the bargaining table. They’re afraid of us standing together to demand the contract we deserve, and they’re doing everything in their power to try and silence our voices and intimidate us. But we know we deserve better. And so does the public, whose support for us has been overwhelming.

We will be continuing to escalate our campaign, and the more we participate in actions like the April 15 march, stay involved in bargaining by joining calls, and stand together, the more power we have at the table to negotiate for the contract we deserve, including meaningful wage increases for every member in every year of this contract. We can’t pit one class of workers against another. We must remain united and strong to ensure we get what we deserve.

If you have any questions about bargaining, or if there is anything we can help you with, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Steward, Union Representative, or Bargaining Committee Member.

In Solidarity,

Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee

 

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March 19, 2025

Stater Bros. Talking Out of Both Sides of Their Mouth

Meanwhile, our contract has expired and we deserve meaningful negotiations

We met with Stater Bros. for the four hours they were available today, and while we were at the table their leadership refused to answer our questions about their plans to eliminate all courtesy clerks in all stores and told us they were “still learning” what to do. But while we were sitting across from the company, CEO Van Helden released a new video saying that they were freezing hiring of courtesy clerks and relying on high turnover to eliminate the classification.

CEO Van Helden says in the video that everyone working at Stater Bros. will receive a $3 wage increase. However, Stater Bros.’ negotiators at the table have only proposed a $1 per year wage increase for the food and GM clerks at the top rate of pay. Nothing for meat cutters, nothing for people working to get to the top rate, and nothing for courtesy clerks. Who should we believe?

It’s apparent that the top priorities for the company are rising inflation and costs to consumers. We’re also consumers! We have to buy groceries too and $3 does not even make up for the inflation we’ve already experienced.

We meet with the company again on Friday, March 21, 2025 where we will continue to push the company for answers about these important issues and meaningful negotiations. We will send a full update about this week’s bargaining sessions then. In the meantime, continue to wear your union button! This act of solidarity shows Stater Bros. that we’re all united and standing together for the contract we deserve.

If you have any questions about bargaining, or if there is anything we can help you with, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Steward, Union Representative, or Bargaining Committee Member.

In Solidarity,

Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee

 

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March 14, 2025

Wages for some, not for all 

It’s clear Stater Bros. doesn’t care about workers at all

We met with Stater Bros. for another day of bargaining where the company began by doubling down on its mistreatment of courtesy clerks. At the last session, we asked why the company was hiring courtesy clerks at some stores and laying them off at others. Today, they responded to that question by informing us of a freeze on hiring new courtesy clerks.

And the day only got worse after that. They provided us with a wage proposal of $3 over three years, but only for the workers at the top rate. Don’t we all work hard? Don’t we all deserve a wage increase that recognizes the increasingly high cost of living in California?

Relying on California’s mandated minimum wage increases is not enough. We’ve presented a wage proposal to increase top wages by $5.50 and with fair increases for every single worker at Stater Bros. We all contribute to Stater Bros.’ prosperity and we all deserve to be able to pay our rent and put food on the table.

Stater Bros. continues to come to negotiations and disrespect us, our union representatives and the role we play in the company. They refused to allow the federal mediator to come to negotiations today. The mediator’s job is to serve as a neutral party to help ensure that bargaining is productive and fair. Even Kroger and Albertsons have welcomed the mediator to help the bargaining process along. We strongly encourage Stater Bros. to reconsider having the mediator here at our next session.

What can you do in the meantime? Your union representatives and SPURs will be out in the stores distributing buttons to all Stater Bros. members. Wear the button! This act of solidarity shows Stater Bros. that we’re all united and standing together for the contract we deserve. When our customers ask about the button, tell them that we’re fighting for a fair contract and that Stater Bros. is disrespecting us and our contribution to their success.

Continue to stay in touch with your co-workers. Tell them that we work hard to make our company successful and it’s time that Stater Bros. recognizes that with a fair contract for all workers. Stay involved with the Grocery Workers Rising campaign! Updates are on our website and social media accounts at www.groceryworkersrising.com. 

We will send another update after our next session on March 19, 2025. Remember, these updates come directly from your co-workers on your bargaining committee and have the most up-to-date information about what is happening at bargaining. We’re here fighting for the best interests of all Stater Bros. workers to ensure we all get what we deserve.

If you have any questions about bargaining, or if there is anything we can help you with, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Steward, Union Representative, or Bargaining Committee Member.

 

In Solidarity,

Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee

 

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March 6, 2025

What happened during our first bargaining session?

We’re dealing with inflation too Stater Bros.

Today we met with Stater Bros. for our very first day of bargaining with the biggest bargaining committee we’ve ever had made up of workers across Southern California.

We showed up as a strong, united force of proud members ready to get the contract we deserve. We began the bargaining session by presenting all of our proposals, including fair wages, benefits and safe staffing levels.

We had a lot of passionate discussion about the company’s perspective on the grocery industry and rising inflation and how they want to address it – on the back of us, the workers. What they don’t understand is that we’re suffering from inflation too.

Stater Bros. has the best customer service. Stater Bros. is profitable. Stater Bros. is able to remodel and open new stores. We are the reason that Stater Bros. has been successful. We should be able to put food on the table, have access to healthcare and be able to retire at the end of a long career. Unfortunately, that is not currently the case.

Our contract expired Sunday March 2, 2025 and the bargaining team made the strategic decision to not agree to a contract extension because a contract extension would limit our ability to fight for the fair contract we deserve. Remember that when a contract expires, our current wages, benefits, and protections don’t change, including our health insurance. We should report to work as usual while we continue to fight for the new contract we deserve.

We will meet with the companies again next week on March 14 and again on March 19 and 21. Between now and then, we must show how united and strong we are. How do we show our power?

1. Join us for an all Southern California UFCW grocery worker call on Thursday, March 13 at 9:00 AM and 6:30 PM. Everyone needs to join these calls to hear exactly what’s happening at negotiations and future actions from the best source – us – your bargaining committee. Register for the calls with the links below:

March 13 at 9:00 AM: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WjdcyVKyQmmKHfIJwuWVEQ 

March 13 at 6:30 PM: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_46yCkrLvQPO_3V0kWVRovw 

2. Sign a petition that demands Stater Bros. provide fair wages, secure health benefits, a reliable retirement, sufficient hours, more full-time positions and better staffing. Union representatives and SPURs are in the stores currently with these petitions.
3. Follow the Grocery Workers Rising website and social media accounts! These platforms are where the most up-to-date information will be housed. Workers can find bargaining updates there and other content about the contract fight, so make sure all of your co-workers also follow the accounts to combat the companies’ misinformation campaign!

www.groceryworkersrising.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Groceryworkersrising/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groceryworkersrising/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/groceryrising25
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groceryrising25
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/groceryrising25.bsky.social 

We will send another update after our next session on March 14, 2025. These updates that come directly from your union co-workers on your bargaining committee have the most up-to-date information about what is happening at bargaining with your best interests in mind.

If you have any questions about bargaining, or if there is anything we can help you with, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Steward, Union Representative, or Bargaining Committee Member.

In Solidarity,

Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee

 

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March 4, 2025

Stater Bros. Workers are Rising Up for a Fair Contract Throughout Southern California

Bargaining with Stater Bros. for a new contract starts on Thursday March 6!

Dear Stater Bros. members,

We know Stater Bros. is a different company today than it was under Jack Brown. They’re putting profits over people and calling us a team instead of a family. They’re laying off critical team members, adding to your already overwhelming responsibilities, and attempting to intimidate you into not fighting for what you deserve. We can’t let that stand.

These contract negotiations are the time to start putting protections into place to keep workers safe, and ensure Stater Bros. remains a company we are proud to work for. It’s time to speak out against the corporate greed that keeps stores understaffed and grocery workers struggling.

It’s time for thousands of hard-working grocery workers in California to rise up like never before to fight for the contracts they deserve from Stater Bros. 

Now is the time to fight for:

• Living wages
• Affordable healthcare benefits
• A reliable pension
• Better staffing and more full-time jobs
• Better working conditions

We are 50,000 grocery workers standing strong together. We are Grocery Workers Rising.

How Bargaining Will Work

The first scheduled bargaining session with Stater Bros. will begin on Thursday, March 6, 2025. We, the worker bargaining committee and leaders from UFCW Locals that represent grocery workers – 8GS, 135, 324, 770, 1167, and 1428 – will present proposals to Stater Bros. based on the contract surveys you completed.

Throughout the process, both sides will continue to pass proposals back and forth in an attempt to reach a “tentative agreement” on a new contract. If we reach tentative agreement, it will be presented for your approval before it becomes final. If we are not able to reach a tentative agreement with Stater Bros., we may need to escalate our actions. However no economic action like a strike will occur unless you vote to authorize it.

At the conclusion of each session, we, the bargaining committee, will send coordinated updates to keep workers informed of what happened at each session, what Stater Bros. said or did, and to let you know what you can do to fight for the contract you deserve.

Stater Bros. has already tried to stop workers from speaking out against the layoffs and the company’s anti-union behavior. Bargaining won’t be any different and they will continue providing misinformation and partial truths to try and divide us and prevent us from asking for what is rightly ours. In addition to wages, the bargaining committee will also be fighting for other critical issues like reasonable staffing levels, more full time jobs and improved pension and medical benefits that all workers need. Remaining united and fighting for every Stater Bros. worker is how we get the contract we deserve.

What We Can Do to Show Our Power 

1. Follow the Grocery Workers Rising website and social media accounts! These platforms are where the most up-to-date information will be housed. Workers can find bargaining updates there and other content about the contract fight, so make sure all of your co-workers also follow the accounts to combat the companies’ misinformation campaign!

www.groceryworkersrising.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Groceryworkersrising/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groceryworkersrising/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/groceryrising25
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groceryrising25
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/groceryrising25.bsky.social 

2. Join Stater Bros. workers on March 5, 2025, at 3:00 PM in Costa Mesa to call on Stater Bros. to “Stop the Layoffs.” Stater Bros. recently announced that they are laying off courtesy clerks, valued members of our union. These members deserve better from a company that was founded on family. Join us at an action to tell Stater Bros. they need to STOP THE LAYOFFS!

RSVP for the action here: https://ufcw324.org/stop-the-layoffs-action-rsvp/

3. Workers are signing petitions that demand Stater Bros. provide fair wages, secure health benefits, a reliable retirement, sufficient hours, more full-time positions. These petitions deliver a strong message to Stater Bros. that the workers will not settle for less than they deserve. It’s critical that every worker sign it.

Only by rising up together can you make a change in your workplace, not only for you, but for your co-workers as well. This is your union, and it is only as powerful as you make it.

If you have any questions about bargaining or if there is anything else we can do to support you, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Bargaining Committee Members, Union Representatives or Stewards.

In Solidarity,

Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee

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February 17, 2025

Attention Stater Bros. Members!

This morning Stater Bros. announced that they are laying off courtesy clerks at a couple of different stores in Southern California. Courtesy clerks are valued members, bagging groceries for customers, cleaning and more, and deserve better from a company that was founded on family.

This is no longer Jack Brown’s Stater Bros. This is the new corporate Stater Bros., and this announcement is just another tactic the company is trying to use in their strategy to distract you from fighting for what you deserve and paying you the fair wages you have earned. We know they have the money for a fair contract because Stater Bros. has recently spent millions of dollars to remodel stores. Turning around and laying off the very people that make up the backbone of the company is just wrong.

If you are a courtesy clerk affected by this layoff, reach out to your union representative. They can help you access resources and navigate filing for unemployment, Covered California, CalFresh and more.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your union representative, steward or bargaining committee members.

In Solidarity,

UFCW Local 324

 

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February 10, 2025

Attention Stater Bros. Members!

Stater Bros. has sent out a “survey,” but don’t be misled—this isn’t a genuine effort to hear your concerns. It’s a union-busting tactic. With bargaining starting in March, the company is using leading questions to manipulate responses and create division among you and your co-workers.

The timing is no coincidence—it’s a bad-faith move meant to weaken our collective strength before negotiations even begin, and we’ve filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against Stater Bros. because of it.

Stay informed, stay united, and don’t let the company’s tactics distract you from fighting for the fair contract you’ve earned!

If you have any questions, reach out to your union representative, steward or bargaining committee members.

In Solidarity,

UFCW Local 324