Ralphs/Albertsons Negotiations Updates 2025
RALPHS/ALBERTSONS UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE STRIKE FAQs
From the thousands of signatures collected on petitions from workers to the hundreds of people who have attended rallies at Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions stores this Spring, grocery workers across California are rising up stronger than ever and the employers see that.
Now they are resorting to tired tactics from an old playbook to confuse us and divide us. They know that if we continue to stand together, they will have no choice but to give us the contract we deserve. Member participation is essential in all actions to continue to show Kroger and Albertsons that workers are willing to fight and strike, if necessary, for a fair contract that respects our work and our essential role in our communities.
While we don’t want to strike, we will take any action available to us to obtain a fair contract, and a strike is one of the many tools we have to give us the leverage we need to win. A strike is always the last resort, but workers must be prepared to walk out if it comes to that. The best way to avoid a strike is for Kroger and Albertsons to truly believe their workers will strike.
Below are some frequently asked questions we are hearing from our members about the contract and a possible strike:
What does it mean that our contract extension will expire on June 7, 2025, before we have reached an agreement on a new one?
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 Kroger and Albertsons for allegedly unlawfully surveilling members that have been active in the contract campaign, interrogating workers at actions, threatening members, and retaliating against members for protected union activity. We contend that these actions by the company are unlawful and ultimately harming our ability to get a fair contract 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 Kroger and Albertsons. Sometimes the results of the strike vote get the employers to come to a fair agreement. For example, strongly rejecting a contract by all the workers sends a message to the employers that we are united in fighting for a better agreement. 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 in order to win the contract we deserve. 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
PHARMACISTS: $300 Per Day Up to $1,500 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. Ultimately this will result in a weaker contract. 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 we win. The stronger our power is on the picket line, the greater the chances that we will return to work with significant raises and improved working conditions.
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/ralphsalbertsons-2025-updates/), social media accounts and make sure you are on our text message distribution list. If you’re not receiving text messages, contact your union representative to ensure you get added.
Remember: the best way to get the contract you deserve is to show Kroger and Albertsons that we’re united and stronger than ever.
May 30, 2025
25 cents is BEYOND insulting
This is not a serious wage counter-proposal
Our critical two-day bargaining session ahead of our Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike authorization votes has wrapped up and the companies have done nothing but insult us with a 25 cent increase to their wage proposal, bringing it to a pitiful $2.75 over three years. Even more insulting – their proposal is not retroactive to our contract expiration!
After two days, this counter-proposal is a slap in the face. We’ve proposed solutions for the staffing crisis as well as ideas for improving our benefits and closing the gap between the Food and GM clerks, but all they’ve done is refuse to talk about the issues important to us. What are we doing here, then?
What’s worse is that they’re also breaking the law by committing unfair labor practices, like unlawful surveillance of workers, interrogation at worker actions, threats, and retaliation for protected union activity.
By violating our rights, Kroger and Albertsons are making our fight for our futures, our families and our communities harder. We need EVERY SINGLE UNION MEMBER to come out and vote YES during the Unfair Labor Practice Strike vote. We’re scheduled to come back to the table on June 10 and 11 and when we show up with a vote that shows we’re backed by 45,000 members, the companies should be forced to get serious and negotiate a fair contract.
ULP STRIKE VOTES START MONDAY!
Make sure you’re signed up for one of our ULP strike authorization vote webinars:
Register for Sunday June 1 at 6PM
Register for Monday June 2 at 8AM
Make a plan to vote! Visit our update page for more information including vote locations and times, as well as our ULP Strike Frequently Asked Questions.
Throughout the past couple of weeks, while we’ve been in front of our stores, we heard loud and clear how frustrated shoppers are with the companies and how they will continue to have our backs in this fight as we prepare to take it to the next level.
With the support of customers, it’s time we show Kroger and Albertsons that we mean business and how we’re fed up with their disrespect at the table and in our stores. Make sure you come out and vote YES during your local’s Unfair Labor Practice Strike vote.
If you have ANY questions about what’s happening at the table, how you can stand up against our company’s actions, or anything else, reach out to your Bargaining Committee Member, Steward, or Union Representative.
In Solidarity,
Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee
May 14, 2025
Today we met again with Kroger and Albertsons for our 14th bargaining session, but once again no progress was made. We presented all of our proposals on day one waaaay back in February, making our priorities of a living wage, affordable healthcare benefits, a reliable pension, and more staffing for a greater customer experience crystal clear, but after months of bargaining, they’ve failed to fully respond.
We’ve been loud and clear about the fact that staffing has been our number one priority during this campaign – even our customers are demanding they address it – and FINALLY today they came with an initial staffing counter-proposal. But it’s incredibly vague and doesn’t do nearly enough to solve our staffing crisis. We look forward to continuing to engage with them on this important issue.
And while we’ve been at the table trying to reach a deal, they’ve been breaking the law by committing numerous unfair labor practices, like unlawful surveillance of workers, interrogation at worker actions, threats, and retaliation for protected union activity.
By violating our protected labor rights, Kroger and Albertsons are making it harder for us to rise up together to fight for the contract we deserve.
That’s why we’re scheduling unfair labor practice strike authorization votes in the coming weeks.
It is time to make our voices heard by casting our votes and telling the companies to stop breaking the law. Please keep an eye out for more information, including voting dates and times from your Local. In the meantime, we’ve agreed to extend the current contract until our strike votes are completed. This does not change any of the currently scheduled consumer actions.
If you have ANY questions about what’s happening at the table, how you can stand up against our company’s actions, or anything else, reach out to your Bargaining Committee Member, Steward, or Union Representative.
In Solidarity,
Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee
May 8, 2025
BREAKING NEWS! New Report Finds Regular Understaffing in Kroger and Albertsons Stores
Today, the Economic Roundtable issued a report – Bullies at the Table – showing how Kroger and Albertsons have regularly cut staffing to drive up short-term profits, then taken those profits out of the grocery industry by sending them to Wall Street investors, all while driving up prices.
The report contains survey responses from grocery workers in Colorado, Southern California and Washington, along with a financial analysis of Kroger and Albertsons. Key findings from the report include:
- 70% of grocery store workers in the three states studied say that product sits in their store’s backroom because there is not enough staffing to stock the store’s shelves.
- Over two-thirds of workers said that work is often or always left uncompleted in their store.
- More than nine out of ten workers studied say that there is price gouging at their stores.
- Customers put groceries back on the shelf because they cannot afford to buy them and are eating less balanced and healthy food than they used to.
- More than four-fifths of workers are unable to pay basic living costs.
- More than two-thirds do not have secure housing.
- Weekly earnings for U.S. grocery workers in real dollars dropped 15 percent from 2003 to 2024.
- From 2018 to 2022, Kroger and Albertsons took $15.8 billion in cash out of their businesses and sent it to shareholders while neglecting maintenance of their stores.
This report comes just at the right time – as 65,000 grocery workers in Southern California are currently negotiating new union contracts with Kroger and Albertsons and as their employer grocery companies are trying everything to make a buck on the backs of workers.
“Kroger’s and Albertsons’ understaffing hurts workers and customers plain and simple,” said Andrea Zinder, president, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324. “Workers see their pay drop while their workload increases. The lack of staffing creates an increasingly negative shopping experience for customers who have to deal with longer lines, unstocked shelves, closed meat and deli departments, increased pressure to go through self-checkout, and lost products.”
“I work for Murray’s Cheese, a specialty department that provides in-store charcuterie and cheeses, jams and more,” said Daisy De La Vega, a Murray’s Cheese Leader at Ralphs in Irvine. “We bring something that most grocery stores do not offer and could make Kroger a lot of profit. But the constant practice of understaffing in the store often shutters the cheese counter. The cheese goes bad because it has a short shelf life and that ends up costing Kroger money.”
View the report at https://economicrt.org/publication/bullies-at-the-table/.
May 8, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2025
Contact: Jenna Thompson, 949.246.1620, jthompson@ufcw324.org
REPORT DETAILS HOW UNDERSTAFFING AT RALPHS AND ALBERTSONS STORES AFFECTS WORKERS AND CUSTOMERS
Buena Park, CA – Today, the Economic Roundtable issued a report, “Bullies at the Table: Consequences of Understaffing by Kroger and Albertsons,” that details how the two largest traditional grocery store chains in the United States have systematically cut staffing to drive up short-term profits, and then taken those profits out of the grocery industry by sending them to Wall Street investors. All while driving up prices, leading shoppers to say that “going to the grocery store is their least enjoyable retail experience.”
“Kroger’s and Albertsons’ understaffing hurts workers and customers plain and simple,” said Andrea Zinder, president, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324. “Workers see their pay drop while their workload increases. The lack of staffing creates an increasingly negative shopping experience for customers who have to deal with longer lines, unstocked shelves, closed meat and deli departments, increased pressure to go through self-checkout, and lost products.”
“Less than 25 years ago, a job at the grocery store was an entry into the middle class and grocery workers could afford to live, raise a family and save for retirement,” continued Zinder. “45 percent of grocery workers don’t earn enough money to pay for basic expenses every month and 15 percent of nonsupervisory grocery workers receive federal food assistance. This is unacceptable for workers that are the backbone of our communities. That’s why grocery workers across Southern California are rising up and showing that they’re ready to do what it takes to get the contracts they deserve from these companies.”
This timely report comes as 65,000 grocery workers in Southern California – from the Mexican border through Bakersfield – are currently negotiating new union contracts with Kroger (Ralphs in Southern California) and Albertsons (who also operate under Vons and Pavilions banners) and as their employer grocery companies are trying everything to make a buck on the backs of workers.
“I work for Murray’s Cheese, a specialty department that provides in-store charcuterie and cheeses, jams and more,” said Daisy De La Vega, a Murray’s Cheese Leader at Ralphs in Irvine. “We bring something that most grocery stores do not offer and could make Kroger a lot of profit. But the constant practice of understaffing in the store often shutters the cheese counter. The cheese goes bad because it has a short shelf life and that ends up costing Kroger money.”
The report contains survey responses from grocery workers in Colorado, Southern California and Washington, along with a financial analysis of Kroger and Albertsons. Key findings from the report include:
- 70% of grocery store workers in the three states studied say that product sits in their store’s backroom because there is not enough staffing to stock the store’s shelves.
- Over two-thirds of workers said that work is often or always left uncompleted in their store.
- More than nine out of ten workers studied say that there is price gouging at their stores.
- Customers put groceries back on the shelf because they cannot afford to buy them and are eating less balanced and healthy food than they used to.
- More than four-fifths of workers are unable to pay basic living costs.
- More than two-thirds do not have secure housing.
- Weekly earnings for U.S. grocery workers in real dollars dropped 15 percent from 2003 to 2024.
- From 2018 to 2022, Kroger and Albertsons took $15.8 billion in cash out of their businesses and sent it to shareholders while neglecting maintenance of their stores.
View the report at https://economicrt.org/publication/bullies-at-the-table/.
# # #
April 4, 2025
We DEMAND better!
$2.50 isn’t enough!
Today was our 13th bargaining session. We made sure Kroger and Albertsons heard our perspective as we shared stories about what’s happening in our stores and the hardships we have been enduring as these companies continue to squeeze our hours and wages to increase their profits and hand more money to their shareholders. These companies need to hear that the people who are making them huge profits have families to provide for and deserve a good contract.
Yesterday, the company presented us with an insulting wage proposal. Today, we responded by presenting them with thousands of petitions signed by our co-workers across Southern California, a powerful show of force that put them on notice that we are united in our fight for a fair contract and we won’t accept less than we deserve. We deserve more than $2.50 over 3 years. What’s even worse is that these poverty wages were only offered to some workers, not everyone.
What do we do to show Kroger and Albertsons we mean business?
Join us on an all Southern California UFCW grocery worker call on Thursday April 10 at 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM to hear exactly what’s happening at negotiations with Kroger and Albertsons and discuss future actions from the best source – us – your bargaining committee. We’ll be talking about the company’s attitude at the bargaining table, what their proposals are, and what we’re fighting for. Register for the calls with the links below:
April 10 at 9AM: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_22Iyhq8QQiOkh3vjbxdHxA
April 10 at 7PM: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6EtR2VLPTTunXVPmp-TTEQ
Show up in force at 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
Right now, it’s imperative that Kroger and Albertsons know we’re ready and willing to do what it takes to get the contract we deserve. Continue to wear your buttons! 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. And we deserve better than this insulting offer from Kroger and Albertsons this week.
We return to the bargaining table on May 12, 13 and 14, 2025. In the meantime, we will continue to escalate our campaign with more actions and more ways you and your customers 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
April 3, 2025
$2.50 is NOT. EVEN. CLOSE.
This is not a serious wage proposal – it’s an outrageous insult
After nearly two months of negotiations without a wage proposal from the companies, we finally got one today that doesn’t even come close to respecting our contribution to their enormous wealth.
Under the companies’ wage proposal:
- If you’re not at the top rate, you get NOTHING
- For everyone who is at the top rate, they are proposing a beyond-insulting $2.50 over three years
- This doesn’t even track with inflation over the last three years, let alone projected inflation due to increased tariffs
This proposal is a slap in the face to say the least. We made it very clear – we will not accept low-ball offers that ignore our contributions to their skyrocketing profits while many of us can’t even afford to shop in the stores that we work in.
Bargaining continues tomorrow, and we’ll have another update for you then. Make sure you send this update to your co-workers and continue to wear your buttons in the stores to show Kroger and Albertsons we’re united for the contract we have earned and deserve.
In Solidarity,
Your Grocery Workers Rising Bargaining Committee
March 26, 2025
Still Waiting for Albertsons and Kroger to Get Serious About Staffing
Bargaining Update – March 26, 2025
We met with Kroger and Albertsons again this week for two days and progress has been very slow to say the least. In the short time we’ve met with the companies, we discussed the importance of addressing the inadequate staffing levels in the stores. However, even though the companies recognize staffing is a problem for their employees, they’re pushing back on our proposals, ignoring our experience in the stores, and prioritizing their control of operations.
This hurts us and our customers. And ultimately the companies.
We also spoke a bit about our health and welfare and made some progress, but there are still some proposed improvements that are important to us that the Companies have not addressed. We need to reduce the time it takes workers to earn eligibility to enroll in our benefit plans.
Meanwhile the companies have not yet shared their proposals on economic issues like wages. We’ve had 11 bargaining sessions. What are they waiting for?
What’s next?
Join us on an all Southern California UFCW grocery worker call on Thursday April 10 at 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM to hear exactly what’s happening at negotiations with Kroger and Albertsons and discuss future actions from the best source – us – your bargaining committee. We’ll be talking about the company’s attitude at the bargaining table, what their proposals are, and what we’re fighting for. Register for the calls with the links below:
April 10 at 9AM: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_22Iyhq8QQiOkh3vjbxdHxA
April 10 at 7PM: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6EtR2VLPTTunXVPmp-TTEQ
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! We return to the bargaining table on April 3 and 4 and then again in May. In the meantime, we will continue 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. We know we deserve better than what we’re getting from Kroger and Albertsons. And so does the public, whose support for us has been overwhelming.
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
March 18, 2025
In our first session since our contracts expired, we met with Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions and Kroger/Ralphs for two days this week.
Today the company saw photos and heard from committee members about customers waiting in lines for over half-an-hour, carts full of go-backs, and empty deli shelves. This not only pisses off our customers, but it puts additional pressure on us to do 10x the work in 1/10th of the time.
We presented our solution to their understaffing epidemic, which would provide a required minimum number of full time jobs, and minimum total hours based on store sales. They saw the proof but so far the companies have zero response to the crisis they caused. Wouldn’t it be great if they cared about customers as much as we do?
Our next bargaining session is March 25-26 where we will continue pushing the company for what we need and deserve.
What can you do in the meantime?
Wear your button! Your union representatives and SPURs are out in the stores distributing buttons to all members. Wearing the button is an act of solidarity and shows our companies 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 better staffing and our companies are disrespecting us and our contribution to their success.
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
March 3, 2025
UFCW Local Unions: Ouster of Kroger CEO Brings Opportunity for Changes
After a series of failed corporate initiatives and years of hostile labor relations, today’s announcement that Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen has been ousted is welcome news. McMullen weakened the company with his strategy of replacing workers with giant, automated warehouses that didn’t work as promised and thousands of self-checkout scanners that frustrated customers. Though that strategy benefited Wall Street investors in the short term with a $7.5 billion stock payout that McMullen orchestrated in what now seems like a last-ditch effort to save his own job, customers and workers suffered. This leadership change represents an opportunity for the company to adopt a new approach centered on reinvesting in its staff and stores to improve customer service and grow sales.
“Now is the time for the changes we have been pushing for: Kroger should stop investing in failed tech and mergers and instead invest in stores and communities with lower prices, more stores, and workers with better staffing and better wages,” said Andrea Zinder, president, UFCW 324. “These changes, especially addressing the staffing crisis in our stores, are what our locals are calling for in our contract negotiations this spring in Colorado, California and Washington.”
Our coalition of UFCW locals was the most outspoken and consistent opponent of the proposed $25 billion merger between Kroger and Albertsons/Safeway. We were the ones who fought for the right to wear masks early in COVID and earned hazard pay. Kroger retaliated against by closing stores in Seattle, LA and Long Beach, the very cities where hazard pay had been passed. Our unions collectively coordinated contract negotiations in 2022 and underwrote the “Hungry at the Table” report by Economic RoundTable that exposed the high levels of homelessness and hunger of Kroger workers. That report, alongside a January 2022 strike in Colorado and massive preparations for strikes in the west in the states of California and Washington all contributed to significant gains in wages.
“Those gains we made in the 2022 negotiations were nowhere near enough for workers, and the ongoing trend of reduced staffing in stores has made a bad situation worse. We have deli and meat departments with reduced hours, unstocked shelves, long check-out lines, and low morale”, continued Zinder. “Adding insult to this injury to workers and customers, evidence that came out in the merger trials showed how Kroger was gouging customers with high prices. All this needs to change, and a new CEO can be an opportunity for change that improves stores for workers, shoppers and communities across the US.”
About the Stop the Merger Coalition of UFCW Locals 7, 324, 400, 770, 1564, and 3000
Combined, these six locals represent over 100,000 Kroger and Albertsons workers in a dozen states across the country. To find out more about the coalition go to: www.NoGroceryMerger.com
February 27, 2025
Tick tock – Our contract expires Sunday!
And Kroger and Albertsons continue dodging us on staffing and wages!
Despite our contract expiring on Sunday, we’re still waiting to hear from Kroger and Albertsons on a lot of issues, including those that are very important to us like wages, healthcare and ensuring we have the appropriate staffing levels.
We know how important we, the workers, are to the companies. We keep their shelves stocked, their food fresh, their customers happy, and their profits high. And we deserve to have a contract that respects our contributions to the companies.
One bright spot: all the actions we’ve done so far in our fight, from signing petitions, attending delegations and joining calls has resulted in a tentative agreement on one very important issue – subcontracting in our stores. We’ve ensured that our work is our work and won’t get taken over by outside vendors.
What’s next?
Our contracts expire Sunday March 2, 2025 and the bargaining team has made the strategic decision that we will 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.
It’s clear from Kroger’s and Albertsons’ actions at the bargaining table that they will not offer serious proposals until we show how united and strong we are at every single action, event or meeting happening. How do we show our power?
Join us tomorrow in Buena Park at 3:30 PM! Register for our campaign kick-off rally here: https://ufcw324.org/grocery-rally-228-rsvp/
We’re also holding 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
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
February 21, 2025
We met with Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions and Kroger/Ralphs for three days this week for our second round of bargaining. We were also joined by a Federal Mediator, who serves as a neutral party to help ensure that bargaining is productive.
While we have reached a few agreements on a few issues this week, the companies nitpick our reasonable proposals and haven’t responded to our proposals on some of our most important issues like wages, benefits, and staffing.
A few bargaining committee members spoke about how they had to leave negotiations to close their departments because there aren’t enough staff available to cover. Sitting across from the companies these past two weeks, it’s clear that they don’t seem to understand just how important appropriate staffing is to our health, our stores and our customers. At future sessions we will continue to share our stories.
Financial Analyst and advisor to UFCW 324 President John Marshall presented this fact to the companies and emphasized how this cycle of understaffing leads to weak sales, higher shrink and safety concerns. Both companies are in a vicious cycle caused by understaffing that can only be broken by a significant investment in us, their workers.
How can we show the companies that they need to invest in us?
We have six more scheduled bargaining dates – two next week – February 26th and 27th, and four in March – the 17th, 18th, 25th, and 26th. If Albertsons and Ralphs are going to get serious about negotiating for a fair contract that addresses wages, benefits and staffing at those sessions, it’s critical that the companies hear from all of us.
That’s why your Stewards, Union Representatives, and Bargaining Committee members have been circulating a petition in every one of our stores. Thousands of us have already signed, but if you haven’t had the chance, now is the time to ensure your voice is heard.
Join our campaign kick-off rally on February 28, 2025, at 3:30 PM in Buena Park. 1,000 grocery workers from across Southern California, including our brothers, sisters and siblings from the Teamsters, will converge in Buena Park to show Kroger, Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions just how powerful grocery workers are. Many local UFCW unions will be providing transportation to the rally. Talk to your union representative or bargaining committee members to reserve a spot.
Register for the rally here: https://ufcw324.org/grocery-rally-228-rsvp/
Stay involved with the Grocery Workers Rising campaign! Updates are on our website and social media accounts at www.groceryworkersrising.com.
Last year, you took on Kroger and Albertsons, billion-dollar corporations, and defeated them, stopping the merger. Imagine what we can do this year if we all rise up together.
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
February 14, 2025
What happened during our first bargaining session?
Roses are red, violets are blue, it’s time Kroger and Albertsons respect the work we do!
On February 13 and 14, 2025, we met with Kroger/Ralphs and Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions for our very first round of bargaining with the largest bargaining committee we’ve ever had, with thousands of years of service between everyone in the room.
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 and benefits for the work we do, moving all GM Clerks to Food Clerk wages, increasing staffing in the store, and protecting union jobs from outside vendors.
The companies then gave us proposals that would weaken our contracts and our union. Their proposals include allowing the companies to bring in non-union outsiders to perform our work, eliminating some of our overtime premiums and expanding courtesy clerk duties. They are also proposing eliminating the requirement to have a journeyman meat cutter on duty and the 8-hour daily guarantee for meat cutters.
We have made massive profits for CEOs and shareholders, including payouts of over $10 billion to shareholders just in the past year, but these companies don’t care about our well-being or our families. We should be able to feed our families, have access to healthcare and be able to retire at the end of a long career. Unfortunately, that is not currently the case.
We made our demands and priorities known to Kroger and Albertsons and told the companies about how their proposals would affect our stores. It’s time to fight to make our jobs and our lives better. We will not accept a contract that is anything less than what we deserve. Whether we’re at the bargaining table or in the stores, we have the power to show Kroger and Albertsons that we’re serious about our proposals and that we’re ready to stand together to get a strong contract.
What’s next?
We will meet with the companies again next week on February 19-21st for our second round of bargaining. Between now and then, we must demand that the companies come to the table with serious proposals that value our work.
Thousands of hard-working grocery workers in California are rising up like never before to fight for the contracts we deserve from Kroger and Albertsons. Only by rising up together can we change our workplaces, not only for us, but for our co-workers as well. Rise up by:
1. Following 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. Joining our campaign kick-off rally on February 28, 2025, at 3:30 PM in Buena Park. After the UFCW 324 Grocery Steward Seminar, 1000 grocery workers from across Southern California, including our brothers, sisters and siblings from the Teamsters, will converge in Buena Park to show Kroger, Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions just how powerful grocery workers are. Many local UFCW unions will be providing transportation to the rally. Talk to your union representative or bargaining committee members to reserve a spot.
Register for the rally here: https://ufcw324.org/grocery-rally-228-rsvp/
3. Signing a petition that demands Kroger and Albertsons 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.
We will send another update after our next session on February 21, 2025. Remember that Kroger and Albertsons will attempt to control the narrative about bargaining with misinformation and partial truths to try and divide us. 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
Febrero 14, 2025
¿Qué pasó en nuestra primera sesión de negociaciones?
Las rosas son rojas, las violetas son azules, ¡Trabajamos duro, dénos lo que nos toca!
Los días 13 y 14 de febrero de 2025, nos reunimos con Kroger/Ralphs y Albertsons (Vons y Pavilions) en nuestra primera ronda de negociaciones. Nosotros llegamos como el comité de negociaciones más grande que hayamos tenido hasta la fecha, con miles de años de servicio entre todos los presentes en el salón de negociaciones.
Nos presentamos como una fuerza poderosa y unida de orgullosos miembros listos para lograr el contrato que nos merecemos. Comenzamos la sesión de negociaciones presentando todas nuestras propuestas, incluyendo sueldos y beneficios justos por el trabajo que hacemos, proponiendo mover toda la clasificación de Empleados GM a Empleados de Alimentos, aumentar los niveles de personal en las tiendas y proteger los empleos de Unión frente a proveedores externos.
Las compañías luego nos dieron propuestas que debilitan nuestros contratos y nuestra unión. Sus propuestas incluyen permitir a las compañías traer personal externo de no-unión para hacer nuestro trabajo, eliminar algunos de nuestros pagos premiums por tiempo extra, aumentar las tareas de los empleados de cortesía/embolsadores. También están proponiendo eliminar el requisito de tener un carnicero oficial con experiencia en turno y la garantía de 8 horas diarias para los cortadores de carne.
Nosotros hemos hecho ganancias enormes para los directivos o CEOs y accionistas, incluyendo pagos de más de $10 mil millones de dólares para los accionistas tan sólo el año pasado, pero a estas compañías no les importa nuestro bienestar o nuestras familias. Nosotros deberíamos poder dar de comer a nuestras familias, tener acceso a atención médica y poder retirarnos al final de una larga carrera. Desafortunadamente, eso no está pasando actualmente.
Nosotros informamos a Kroger y Albertsons sobre nuestras demandas y prioridades, y les dijimos a las compañías la forma en que sus propuestas afectarían a nuestras tiendas. Es tiempo de luchar para mejorar nuestros trabajos y nuestras vidas. No aceptaremos un contrato que sea menos de lo que merecemos. Ya sea que estemos en la mesa de negociaciones o en las tiendas, nosotros tenemos el poder de demostrar a Kroger y Albertsons que vamos en serio con nuestras propuestas y que estamos listos para luchar unidos para lograr un contrato fuerte.
¿Qué sigue?
Nos reuniremos con las compañías de nuevo la próxima semana del 19-21 de febrero en nuestra segunda ronda de negociaciones. Mientras llega esa fecha, nosotros debemos exigir que las compañías lleguen a la mesa de negociaciones con propuestas serias que valoren nuestros trabajo.
Miles de trabajadores de supermercado en California están en pie de lucha como nunca antes para luchar por los contratos que merecemos de parte de Kroger y Albertsons. Solamente luchando unidos podemos cambiar nuestros lugares de trabajo, no solamente para nosotros sino también para nuestros compañeros de trabajo. Únete a la lucha haciendo lo siguiente:
1. ¡Sigue y difunde la página web de Grocery Workers Rising/ Trabajadores de Supermercado Luchando y las cuentas de redes sociales! En estas plataformas es donde la información más reciente será publicada. Los trabajadores pueden encontrar actualizaciones sobre las negociaciones ahí así como más contenido sobre la lucha de contrato, entonces, asegúrate que todos tus compañeros de trabajo también sigan estas cuentas para combatir la campaña de desinformación de las compañías.
Página web: 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. Únete a nuestro lanzamiento de la campaña de contrato con una manifestación y líneas de piquete el 28 de febrero de 2025, a las 3:30 PM en Buena Park. Después del Seminario de Delegados de Supermercados de UFCW 324, más de 1,000 trabajadores de supermercado de todo el sur de California, incluyendo nuestros compañeros y compañeras de los Teamsters, se reunirán en Buena Park para mostrar a Kroger, Albertsons, Vons y Pavilions qué tan poderosos son los trabajadores de supermercado. Varios locales de la Unión UFCW tendrán transporte para llegar a la manifestación. Comunícate con tu representante de la Unión o compañeros del comité de negociaciones para apartar un lugar.
Regístrate para ir a la manifestación aquí: https://ufcw324.org/grocery-rally-228-rsvp/
3. Firmando una petición para exigir a Kroger y Albertsons que den sueldos justos, beneficios de salud seguros, una jubilación confiable, suficientes horas, más puestos de tiempo completo y más personal. Representantes de la Unión y representantes de proyectos especiales o SPURs están actualmente yendo a las tiendas con estas peticiones.
Mandaremos otra actualización después de nuestra próxima sesión del 21 de febrero del 2025. Recuerda que Kroger y Albertsons intentarán controlar la información sobre las negociaciones con desinformación y verdades a medias para tratar de dividirnos. Estas actualizaciones que vienen directamente de nuestros compañeros de trabajo de la unión que están en el comité de negociaciones tienen la información más actualizada sobre lo que está pasando en las negociaciones con tus mejores intereses en mente.
Si tienes alguna pregunta sobre las negociaciones o si hay algo que podamos hacer para apoyarte, por favor, no dudes en contactar a los miembros de tu Comité de Negociaciones, Representantes de la Unión o Delegados.
En Solidaridad,
Tu Comité de Negociaciones de Trabajadores de Supermercado Luchando
