UFCW Wins Victory Against Gelson’s!
This week, we won a huge victory against Gelson’s!
In contract bargaining with Gelson’s in 2022, UFCW proposed and Gelson’s agreed to pay an additional $1.00 per hour to all experienced General Merchandise Clerks (GMC) once they reached their 8th anniversary with the company. The pay increase was supposed to start September 1, 2022, with an additional bonus of $500 paid to anyone who qualified as of September 1, 2022. Gelson’s agreed to pay this bonus in lieu of backpay to the contract expiration date.
Gelson’s did not follow through with their agreement and did not pay the full $1 increase, nor did they pay the full bonus to any employee who was receiving a pay rate more than the experienced GMC rate in the contract.
UFCW filed a grievance and proceeded to arbitration.
This week we received the Arbitrator’s decision. He agreed fully with UFCW and ordered Gelson’s to pay backpay (including giving eligible employees the $500 bonus).
We believe that Gelson’s will pay the back payment soon. We will also be requesting a list of all eligible employees from Gelson’s and the amount of backpay.
This is a huge victory! If you have questions about your pay rate, it is important that you contact your union representative as soon as possible.
