Rite Aid Contract Negotiations Updates 2024
October 14, 2024
We met with Rite Aid for another bargaining session today, and once again, they continue to insist on significant rollbacks of benefits that we won over many years of fighting for what we deserve.
Check out where negotiations currently stand here: https://ufcw324.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Rite-Aid-10.14.24-Negotiation-Update-Handout.pdf
We are tired of the company continuing to complain that they are on the brink of an existential crisis that they need us to bail them out of. We are not here to save them from their own mismanagement. We are here to do our jobs to the best of our ability, serve our communities, and support our families.
Unfair Labor Practice Strike Authorization Voting is starting tomorrow and we are recommending a “YES” Vote to Authorize an Unfair Labor Practice Strike because Rite Aid has engaged in numerous UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES in an attempt to weaken our ability to achieve a fair contract at the bargaining table.
You will receive an email and a text at 8:00AM Tuesday October 15, 2024 with the voting information. You can vote electronically until Thursday October 17, 2024 at 5PM.
Should Rite Aid members join our union siblings at CVS in authorizing an Unfair Labor Practice Strike, 10,000 pharmacy workers in California would have the ability to go on strike just as flu season ramps up.
What’s next?
We have one more bargaining date set for October 21. We have agreed to a contract extension until October 21 at 5PM, but if the company continues to stonewall us and hide behind the excuse of their management-created bankruptcy as a reason for not giving us the contract we earned, we will continue to put pressure on the company and make our voices heard loud and clear.
As always, 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 Rep, or Bargaining Committee Member.
In Solidarity,
Your UFCW Rite Aid Bargaining Committee
September 27, 2024
After three days of bargaining this week, we are no closer to an agreement with Rite Aid. The company continues to push insulting proposals that take away our hard earned benefits and inadequately compensate us for the hard work we perform.
We have agreed to another contract extension until October 21 at 5PM and new negotiation dates of October 14 and 21. But ahead of those dates we’re going to force Rite Aid to hear what’s important to us. We deserve fair wages, more flexible scheduling and the vacation and sick time that we’ve earned.
And we are stepping up pressure on the company. We will discuss taking a strike vote on member webinars on October 3 for clerks and techs, and October 6 for pharmacists. Join one of these important meetings to ensure you know your rights and next steps to ensure a fair contract.
Clerks and Techs: Register for the October 3, 2024 webinar at 7PM here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_B3PUV1gRT5WGGpvm0K5Qhg
Pharmacists: Register for the October 6, 2024 webinar at 7PM here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrfu6rpjsvGtNTC5fT7cSzPiGo9Ghh0r15
*pharmacists may join the October 3 meeting as well.
We are having a rally in Long Beach on Monday October 7 to show Rite Aid we mean business. Join us there!
Monday October 7 | 10AM – 12PM
Rite Aid #5520 – 3300 E Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA 90804
RSVP for the rally here: https://ufcw324.org/rite-aid-rally-10-7-24-rsvp/
Throughout all of this, we must remain united and strong. Rite Aid might try to divide us and convince us that their offer is adequate in light of the management-created bankruptcy. We know that is false. Rite Aid must respect the hard work you do in the stores every day.
As always, 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 Rep, or Bargaining Committee Member.
In Solidarity,
Your UFCW Rite Aid Bargaining Committee
Español
Sepiembre 27, 2024
Después de tres días de negociación esta semana, no estamos ni siquiera cerca de llegar a un acuerdo con Rite Aid. La empresa sigue impulsando propuestas insultantes que te quitan los beneficios que tanto te ha costado ganar y que te compensan de forma inadecuada por el arduo trabajo que realizas.
Hemos acordado otra extensión de contrato hasta el 21 de octubre a las 5 p. m. y nuevas fechas de negociación para el 14 y el 21 de octubre. Pero antes de esas fechas vamos a obligar a Rite Aid a escuchar lo que es importante para nosotros. Merecemos salarios justos, horarios más flexibles así como las vacaciones y el tiempo de enfermedad que nos hemos ganado.
Estamos aumentando la presión hacia la compañía. Haremos juntas virtuales con miembros para hablar sobre la posibilidad de votar a favor de una huelga, el 3 de octubre para los empleados administrativos y técnicos, y el 6 de octubre, para los farmacéuticos. Únete a estas importantes reuniones para asegurarte de conocer tus derechos y los próximos pasos para garantizar un contrato justo.
Empleados y Técnicos: Regístrate para la llamada del 3 de Octubre, 2024 a las 7PM aquí: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_B3PUV1gRT5WGGpvm0K5Qhg
Farmacéuticos: Regístrate para la llamada del 6 de Octubre, 2024 a las 7PM aquí: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrfu6rpjsvGtNTC5fT7cSzPiGo9Ghh0r15
*Los farmacéuticos también pueden unirse a la llama del 3 de octubre.
Finalmente, tendremos una manifestación de protesta en Long Beach el Lunes 7 de Octubre para demostrar a Rite Aid que vamos en serio. ¡Allá nos vemos!
Lunes Octobre 7 | 10AM – 12PM
Rite Aid #5520 – 3300 E Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA 90804
RSVP/ Regístrate para la manifestación aquí: https://ufcw324.org/rite-aid-rally-10-7-24-rsvp/
A lo largo de toda esta lucha, debemos permanecer unidos y fuertes. Rite Aid podría intentar dividirnos y convencernos de que su oferta es adecuada. Sabemos que eso es falso. Rite Aid debe respetar el duro trabajo que tú haces en las tiendas todos los días.
Como siempre, si tienes alguna pregunta sobre la negociación o si hay algo en lo que podamos ayudarte, no dudes en comunicarte con tu delegado sindical, representante de la unión o miembro del comité de negociaciones.
En Solidaridad,
Tu Comité de Negociaciones de UFCW ante Rite Aid
September 9, 2024
We had a half day session with Rite Aid today and like usual, not much was accomplished. They continue to want to take away rights you currently have under your contract. Here are some of their take-away proposals:
- Take away our hourly guarantees
- Eliminate full time jobs
- Redefine full time as 35 hours a week
- Eliminate sick and vacation payouts
- Eliminate the 5th week of vacation for anyone who hasn’t already reached 20 years
- And more
Rite Aid continues to hide behind the emergence from bankruptcy, and does not want to acknowledge our hard work and increased work loads during this uncertain and difficult period. The bankruptcy judge is forgiving $2.5 billion of Rite Aid’s debt, which is providing the company with financial stability and the ability to emerge from bankruptcy with a clean slate. They are absolutely able to provide fair pay and working conditions to the employees that have made that possible.
We’re meeting with Rite Aid again on September 19, and 25-27. Rite Aid needs to hear that members are not going to back down and accept an inadequate offer. More than ever before, it’s important for us to stay united and demonstrate our strength.
It’s time to step up the pressure. If you haven’t participated in a delegation at your store, contact your union representative to arrange one. If you haven’t already signed the petition our Stewards, Union Reps, and fellow Bargaining Committee members have been circulating – make sure you sign and make your voice heard!
We’re also having rallies and other actions that show Rite Aid how much we’re willing to fight to get what we deserve. Join us at these actions so Rite Aid sees how united we are.
We know our customers are also fed up with Rite Aid. Especially how the company prioritizes products over people. Share this petition with your customers so they can stand with us in our fight for a fair contract that respects our work and their shopping experience: https://bit.ly/RiteAidWorkersUnitedPetition
As always, 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 Rep, or Bargaining Committee Member.
In Solidarity,
Your UFCW Rite Aid Bargaining Committee
August 15, 2024
Rite Aid’s Offer Is Still Not Nearly Enough
They keep using bankruptcy as an excuse to not give us what we deserve
We’ve met with Rite Aid for two more days this week, and while the company has made some movement in wages, it’s not enough to account for inflation and the high cost of living here in Southern California. Meanwhile, when it comes to safety, they are still not interested in doing what needs to be done to keep us safe. They brought a safety expert to negotiations who discussed the company’s plans for improving safety, but we don’t see that their plans are sufficient to make our stores safer.
We have agreed to sign an additional contract extension through September 27, 2024, and we have more negotiation sessions scheduled on September 9, 19, 25, 26 and 27. But the reality is we’re still far apart on a contract. It’s clear that Rite Aid needs to hear from all of us if they’re going to get serious about negotiating a fair contract that reflects our work and the value we bring to Rite Aid and our customers.
Delegations have begun to deliver the petitions we signed demanding a fair contract that respects our essential work, reflects our vital healthcare role and provides the staffing and store safety required to improve customers’ shopping experience. If you haven’t already, our Stewards, Union Reps, and fellow Bargaining Committee members have been circulating a petition in every one of our stores – make sure you sign and make your voice heard!
As always, 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 Rep, or Bargaining Committee Member.
In Solidarity,
Your UFCW Rite Aid Bargaining Committee
August 1, 2024
25 CENTS IS UNACCEPTABLE
On July 30 – August 1, 2024, we met with Rite Aid for our second round of bargaining. The proposal Rite Aid presented today is totally unacceptable! Rite Aid wants to take away many current protections we have in our contract and what’s even more insulting is that they only want to give you a wage increase of 0.25 cents.
Rite Aid keeps using bankruptcy as an excuse to not give us what we deserve, but we know we are the reason our customers and our patients come back to Rite Aid. The bankruptcy judge is forgiving $2.55 billion of Rite Aid’s debt, which is providing the company with financial stability and the ability to emerge from bankruptcy with a clean slate. They are absolutely able to reward the employees that have made that possible with a living wage.
We are also bargaining about other important issues. At today’s bargaining session, Rite Aid bargaining committee members shared their stories about the abuse, threats, and violence they face everyday at work and how Rite Aid did not provide adequate support or follow-up after these incidents. It’s time Rite Aid takes the safety of their employees and customers seriously by providing improved staffing and security measures in the stores.
Rite Aid’s continued success relies on treating it’s employees properly.
What’s Next?
We have two more bargaining dates scheduled on August 14 – 15, 2024 to bargain for the contract we deserve. In the meantime, Rite Aid needs to hear from all of us if they’re going to get serious about negotiating a fair contract.
That’s why your Stewards, Union Reps, and Bargaining Committee members have been circulating a petition in every one of our stores. Many of us have already signed, but if you haven’t had the chance, now is the time to make sure your voice is heard.
When the company sees us signing petitions and talking to co-workers, they’ll know that we are standing strong for a fair contract.
We are also standing up to Rite Aid’s unfair labor practices. Rite Aid has bypassed the contract and the union in an attempt to deal directly with employees, violating our rights, and we will file charges against the company tomorrow.
As always, 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 Rep, or Bargaining Committee Member.
In Solidarity,
Your UFCW Rite Aid Bargaining Committee
25 CENTAVOS ES INACEPTABLE
Del 30 de julio al 1 de agosto de 2024, nos reunimos con Rite Aid para nuestra segunda ronda de negociaciones. ¡La propuesta que Rite Aid presentó hoy es totalmente inaceptable! Rite Aid quiere quitarnos muchas de las protecciones actuales que tenemos en nuestro contrato y lo que es aún más insultante es que solo quieren darnos un aumento salarial de 0.25 centavos.
Rite Aid sigue usando la bancarrota como excusa para no darnos lo que merecemos, pero sabemos que somos la razón por la que nuestros clientes y nuestros pacientes vuelven a Rite Aid. El juez de bancarrotas está perdonando $2.55 mil millones de la deuda de Rite Aid, lo que le está brindando a la empresa estabilidad financiera y la capacidad de salir de la bancarrota con un borrón y cuenta nueva. Son absolutamente capaces de recompensar a los empleados que lo han hecho posible con un salario digno.
También estamos negociando sobre otros temas importantes. En la sesión de negociación de hoy, los miembros del comité de negociaciones de Rite Aid compartieron sus historias sobre el abuso, las amenazas y la violencia que enfrentan todos los días en el trabajo y cómo Rite Aid no brindó el apoyo o el seguimiento adecuados después de estos incidentes. Es hora de que Rite Aid se tome en serio la seguridad de sus empleados y clientes al tener suficiente personal y medidas de seguridad en las tiendas.
El éxito continuo de Rite Aid depende de que traten a sus empleados de manera adecuada.
¿Qué sigue?
Tenemos dos fechas de negociación más programadas para el 14 y 15 de agosto de 2024 para negociar el contrato que nos merecemos. Mientras tanto, Rite Aid necesita escucharnos a todos nosotros si va a tomar en serio la negociación de un contrato justo.
Es por eso que tus delegados, representantes sindicales y miembros del comité de negociaciones han estado circulando una petición en cada una de nuestras tiendas. Muchos de nosotros ya hemos firmado, pero si aún no ha tenido la oportunidad, ahora es el momento de asegurarse de que su voz sea escuchada.
Cuando la empresa nos vea firmando peticiones y hablando con compañeros de trabajo, sabrán que estamos defendiendo firmemente un contrato justo.
También nos estamos oponiendo a las prácticas laborales injustas de Rite Aid. Rite Aid ha pasado por alto el contrato y al sindicato en un intento de tratar directamente con los empleados, violando nuestros derechos, y mañana presentaremos cargos contra la empresa.
Como siempre, si tienes alguna pregunta sobre la negociación o si hay algo en lo que podamos ayudarte, no dudes en comunicarte con tu delegado, representante sindical o miembro del comité de negociación.
En solidaridad,
Tu comité de negociaciones de UFCW ante Rite Aid
July 10, 2024
What happened during our first bargaining session?
On July 10, we met with Rite Aid for our very first day of bargaining. We showed up at the table as a strong, united force of proud, essential Rite Aid members and UFCW union representatives who are ready to fight for the contract we rightfully deserve. Despite the company canceling the first three days we had scheduled, we began today’s session by presenting all of our proposals, including fair pay and benefits that reflect our essential work, safe staffing levels that prevent theft and burnout, and affordable and comprehensive health benefits to keep us well.
Rite Aid came in knowing the contract expires in 10 days, but they didn’t present a proposal. Instead, they said they will have a proposal at our next meeting on July 30th.
What’s next?
Our priorities are explicit. We deserve safe staffing levels and the wages and health benefits needed to raise healthy families. We are demanding a fair contract that respects our essential work, reflects our vital healthcare role and provides the staffing and store safety required to improve customers’ shopping experience. We made it clear to the company that the workers did not cause the bankruptcy, and the company cannot continue to balance their budget on our backs.
Our contract is set to expire on July 20, 2024 and we have agreed to a contract extension until August 15, 2024. We will meet again with the company on July 30, 31, and August 1, 14th and 15th.
In order to make a strong contract possible, we must stay united, strong, and engaged. Whether we’re at the bargaining table or in the stores, we have the power to show the company that we’re serious about our proposals and that we’re ready to stand together to get a strong contract.
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 Rep, or Bargaining Committee Member.
In Solidarity,
Your UFCW Rite Aid Bargaining Committee
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¿Qué pasó durante nuestra primera sesión de negociaciones?
El 10 de julio nos reunimos con Rite Aid en nuestro primer día de negociaciones. Llegamos a la mesa de negociaciones como una fuerza unida y orgullosa de miembros esenciales de Rite Aid y representantes de nuestra Unión UFCW que estamos listos para luchar por el contrato que justamente merecemos. A pesar de que la compañía canceló los primeros tres días que teníamos programados, comenzamos nuestra sesión de hoy presentando todas nuestras propuestas, incluyendo pago justo y beneficios que reflejen nuestro trabajo esencial, niveles de personal seguros y beneficios de salud accesibles y completos que nos mantengan con buena salud.
Rite Aid se presentó sabiendo que el contrato vence en 10 días, pero no presentaron una propuesta. En lugar de eso, ellos dijeron que tendrán una propuesta en nuestra próxima reunión el 30 de julio.
¿Qué sigue?
Nuestra prioridades son claras. Necesitamos niveles de personal seguros y sueldos y beneficios de salud que necesitamos para mantener bien a nuestras familias. Estamos exigiendo un contrato justo que respete nuestro trabajo esencial, refleje nuestro papel vital en la atención de salud y nos proporcione el personal y seguridad en la tienda que se requieren para mejorar la experiencia de compra de los clientes.
Nuestro contrato vence el 20 de julio de 2024 y hemos acordado una extensión de contrato hasta el 15 de agosto de 2024. Nos reuniremos otra vez con la compañía el 30 y 31 de julio y los días 1, 14 y 15 de agosto.
Para hacer posible un contrato fuerte debemos estar unidos y fuertes, y participar. Ya sea en la mesa de negociaciones o en las tiendas, tenemos el poder de mostrar a la compañía que estamos hablando en serio sobre nuestras propuestas y que estamos listos para luchar juntos para lograr un contrato fuerte.
Si tienes alguna pregunta sobre las negociaciones o si hay algo en lo que te podamos ayudar, por favor no dudes en contactar a tu Delegado, Representante de la Unión o Miembro del Comité de Negociaciones.
En Solidaridad,
Tu Comité de Negociaciones de UFCW ante Rite Aid
