Over 45,000 Southern California grocery workers approve new labor agreement in a union vote
In a significant development for essential workers, members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Locals 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428, and 1442 have ratified a new three-year contract with Kroger banner Ralphs and Albertsons' banners Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions.
The contract, the result of months of negotiations and the active involvement of thousands of Southern California grocery workers, was ratified on July 11. It takes immediate effect and covers over 45,000 grocery workers across these stores.
Key details of the contract include substantial wage increases, the introduction of a supplemental pension plan for retirement security, improved healthcare benefits with increased contributions and faster eligibility for new hires, and new staffing provisions involving union input to ensure reasonable staff levels for employee health and safety and better customer service.
The agreement reflects a broader movement of unionized grocery workers in Southern California pushing for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. The UFCW locals represent multiple stores and collectively negotiated these improvements, signalling greater strength and solidarity among workers in the region.
The record voter turnout during the ratification saw about 81-85% approval rates among workers at the various stores, indicating strong union member support. The contract was also the result of numerous rallies, marches, and customer interactions organised by the workers.
Meanwhile, separate contracts for workers at Stater Bros., Gelson's, Super A, and El Super stores in Southern California are currently being negotiated.
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union represents over 1.3 million workers in the United States and Canada, making it one of the largest private-sector unions in North America. Kroger, on the other hand, employs nearly 420,000 associates and operates through a variety of banner names, serving over 11 million customers daily. Kroger is ranked No. 4 on The PG 100.
The statement issued by the six UFCW locals following the vote praised the involvement of grocery workers, customers, and community members in the negotiations. Albertsons Cos., which operates across 34 states and the District of Columbia, is ranked No. 9 on Progressive Grocer’s 2025 list of top food and consumables retailers in North America.
As of February 2022, Albertsons Cos. operates 2,270 retail food and drug stores, 405 associated fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers, and 19 manufacturing facilities. Kroger was also named among the Retailers of the Century by PG.
This deal aims to provide grocery workers with greater financial security, improved health benefits, and safer, better-supported working conditions, positively impacting thousands of essential workers in Southern California’s largest grocery chains.
- The ratified contract between UFCW locals and Kroger and Albertsons' banners not only includes substantial wage increases but also introduces a supplemental pension plan for financial security during retirement.
- The new agreement in the industry also covers improved healthcare benefits for a more secure financial future and faster eligibility for new hires, demonstrating a commitment to the finance and well-being of the workforce in the business sector.
