October 13, 2015
By John Quinn, USA LaborPress
Rosevile, Calif., — After nearly two years of collective bargaining, UFCW 8-Golden State and its UFCW allies in Southern California have reached contract agreements with the Rite Aid drug store chain in the northern and southern regions of the state.
The two separate agreements include significant wage increases and protect health benefits enjoyed by Rite Aid workers through trust funds operated jointly by the Union and Rite Aid management. The contracts also preserve pension benefits and include workplace protections, among other positive features.
“These agreements will be, beyond any doubt, the best contracts in the country with Rite Aid or any other employer in the retail drug industry,” said UFCW 8-Golden State President Jacques Loveall. “Our accomplishments were possible because UFCW Unions in Northern and Southern California were able to bargain with Rite Aid at the same time and with unprecedented unity of purpose. Our members rose to the occasion by standing strong with their Unions and engaging the public in their quest for a fair contract.”
UFCW 8-Golden State represents workers in several industries from the Oregon border down to Kern County. Its members in Kern County, including Bakersfield, are covered by separate labor agreements negotiated by UFCW 8 and other UFCW Unions in Southern California: UFCW Locals 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442.
