UFCW Members Ratify Agreements with Rite Aid
in Southern California
Union members in Southern California overwhelmingly approve contracts providing wage increases and protecting health care and pensions.
Members at seven Southern California UFCW locals have voted to ratify new agreements with the Rite Aid in the southern regions of the state.
“Our Southern California members working at Rite Aid stuck together to protect their healthcare and secure a better future for their families,” Loveall observed.
The agreements include significant wage increases and protect health benefits enjoyed by members through trust funds operated jointly by the Union and the company.
Together we have proved, Solidarity Works!
Southern CA Rite Aid Negotiations Update
September 25, 2018
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Special drop in meetings to vote on union recommended contract offer are scheduled for this Sunday, Sept 30, 2018 and Monday, Oct 1, 2018.
Please attend one of these meetings to vote on the tentative agreement.
Notices will be posted in your store for the date, time and location of the meetings in your area.
Southern CA Rite Aid Negotiations Update
September 21, 2018
BREAKING NEWS: We have reached a tentative agreement with Rite Aid subject to our members ratification! Thank you to our hard-working, dedicated members for their strength and solidarity! More information coming soon!
Southern CA Rite Aid Negotiations Update
September 12, 2018
You may have seen the letter from Rite Aid HR threatening to “implement” their contract offer on their workers because “UFCW” won’t agree to their demands.
A few things to keep in mind about this:
UFCW = YOU. Every time Rite Aid says “UFCW” they really mean “Rite Aid workers.” You are the union. They are doing this because they don’t want to bargain in good faith with you.
Rite Aid is becoming desperate.
This isn’t a plan – it’s a threat. They are trying to intimidate and scare you into something. Don’t be fooled.
What does “implementation” mean?
Implementation is a way for Rite Aid to force their contract changes on you without you voting on them.
When a corporation in negotiations can’t get what they want, they try to declare an “impasse” and then “implement” the last offer they made to the union. This strategy is used by employers who can’t get everything they want.
It’s a long process and subject to a lot of legal roadblocks, and we are prepared to deal with this.
Why this means what we’re doing is working:
The unity of workers in the stores and standing up to Rite Aid’s insulting offers is working.
So instead of trying to negotiate, they are going to try and force their offer on you.
This only works if we let them do it. By standing together we can force them back to the bargaining table.
What you can do:
- First, don’t let the company intimidate or scare you. That’s their goal.
- Second, keep up the good work, support each another and stay united. It is clearly working. Public support is with us and Rite Aid has panicked in response.
- Finally, stay in contact with your leads or Union Representatives and check your union local’s website so you have the latest information.
Stick together and we will prove … Solidarity Works!
Southern California Rite Aid Negotiations Update, August 31, 2018
Negotiations continued this week with Rite Aid in Southern California. While we continue to try and reach a fair deal at the bargaining table, lawyers negotiating on behalf of Rite Aid failed to move things forward.
Your union has held fast to the following:
- No elimination of the jointly managed health care plan.
- No elimination of health care for senior citizen retirees.
- No elimination of full-time positions.
We stand ready to reach a fair deal, however, the total surrender of your power in the workplace and the protections you have in your contract are too high a price.
Recently Rite Aid union members voted overwhelmingly to reject these proposals and go on strike if necessary.
In recent public opinion polling:
- Nearly 70% of customers said they would not cross a picket line to shop at Rite Aid.
- 60% said they would take their prescriptions elsewhere.
- And nearly 90% of customers said they supported you, the employees, over the corporate management of Rite Aid.
When we stand together and support one another, we have the power. We are stronger together!
We will keep you informed as developments occur. In the meantime, stay strong and tell your managers you stand with your union 100 percent!
Together, we will prove ...
Solidarity Works!
Southern California Rite Aid Workers Overwhelmingly Vote to Reject the Company’s Offer and Authorize their Union to Strike if Deemed Necessary
UFCW members in Southern CA working at Rite Aid Overwhelmingly Vote to Reject Rite Aid Proposal to Eliminate Health Care Plan and Benefits for Retirees
In a decisive display of strength and unity, Rite Aid members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) in Southern CA rejected management’s contract offer. The company’s proposal would make it almost impossible for employees to attain wage increases, eliminate wage protections for pharmacists, and cruelly strips retirees of health care benefits promised to them in their retirement, leaving them without medical coverage.
The company’s offer includes a wage increase for workers but applies unattainable conditions which guarantee virtually no employees will actually see a wage increase. Workers who do see an increase will be forced to pay most of the raise back to Rite Aid in the form of health care premiums.
Workers at the top rate will have their pay “frozen”, meaning their wages will remain the same for the entire life of the contract.
If workers receive a minimum wage increase during the calendar year or if they receive an increase based on seniority, the above-mentioned raise would not apply to them. Under these draconian conditions, almost no workers will qualify for a raise.
The company’s offer also eliminates the current health plan, removing benefits and oversight, and strips health care from all current and future retirees. Seniors who spent decades working for Rite Aid will lose health benefits immediately if the company proposal were to go into effect.
“I am a single person who supports myself. I have no other source of income to cover health care benefits and this change would be devastating to me. I worked for Rite Aid for 22 years and I am counting on this benefit during my retirement,” says Dolores Alvarez, a retired clerk.
Denice Gibson, a pharmacy technician for 37 years currently working at a store in Van Nuys, states: “I do not want the company health benefits. I want Union benefits for all employees.”
“This year Rite Aid decided they will only pay pharmacists 25 cents more and new pharmacists a lot less,” said Weikang Peng, a pharmacist with Rite Aid for 17 years. “This is unacceptable to us and we are ready to fight.”
Carmen Ulloa is a single mother who has worked for 14 years as a shift supervisor at a Rite Aid in Sherman Oaks. Ulloa points out the company’s proposal prevents workers from receiving wage increases. “Things such as bills are already a struggle. We are struggling to get by and a raise in health care plans would harm hundreds.”
Rite Aid Corporation is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains, operating more than 4,500 stores. In 2017, the company reported annual revenues of $32.8 billion. Rite Aid and its shareholders stand to make $24 billion dollars in their pending merger with Albertsons. Their offer to their employees is nothing but a bait and switch for current employees and an immoral attack on senior citizens.
Southern California Rite Aid Update – July 13, 2018
Southern California Rite Aid negotiations continued this week and management’s offer has not substantially changed. Rite Aid has put several outrageous demands on the table, including:
• Eliminating health care for up to 70% of employees;
• An insulting wage proposal;
• Eliminating full-time positions.
While Rite Aid continues to pursue a $24 billion merger with Albertson’s, their proposals at the bargaining table do not adequately meet the needs of our members.
Negotiations are scheduled to resume next week. Continue to stay tuned for additional information about meetings and an opportunity to make your voice heard in this fight.
Now is the time to get involved. For details, talk to your District Union Representative, follow our Facebook page, check your Union bulletin board, visit our website at www.ufcw8.org/RiteAid, and make sure we have your current contact information so you can receive text updates.
Your Union’s negotiating team will continue fighting to get our members the contract they deserve. Our success requires the solidarity of our membership.
Most importantly, stand strong and tell your managers you back your union 100 percent!
Together, we will prove, Solidarity Works!
Southern California Rite Aid Update – June 8, 2018
Bargaining continued with Rite Aid in Southern California this week. Along with inadequate wage proposals, Rite Aid continues to push eliminating the current Union and Employer health plan and replacing it with a plan solely-administered by the company. The company plan not only offers inferior coverage at a higher cost to members, it also gives management the power to continue raising out-of-pocket costs and cut benefits.
“Rite Aid thrives because of our hard-working members. Our members deserve fair wage increases and the peace of mind and security which comes from having a jointly administered Union and employer healthcare plan,” said President Jacques Loveall.
As questions arise, avoid the rumor mill and contact your District Union Representative. Be sure your Union has your current address and phone number and follow us on social media to stay updated as negotiations progress.
The solidarity and commitment of our Rite Aid members will make the difference in these negotiations. Continue standing together with your co-workers and remain united. Together we’ll prove, once again,
Solidarity Works!
Southern California Rite Aid Update – June 4, 2018
Negotiations with Rite Aid in Southern California resumed this week with additional meeting dates scheduled later in June.
Rite Aid has proposed pulling out of the current Union and Employer health plan, and replacing it with a plan solely-administered by the company, eliminating retiree health care and giving management the power to raise out-of-pocket costs, make qualifying for benefits more difficult, and cut benefits at will.
"Rite Aid’s current proposal does not take care of our member’s needs,” said President Jacques Loveall. "Our hard-working members help make Rite Aid profitable and deserve to have their health care protected.”
As negotiations move forward, it’s common for management to try and divide members and test your resolve. Remember, management’s priority is to increase profits, even at your expense.
Your Union’s priority is protecting and improving the lives of our members. Now more than ever we need to stand together!
We will keep you informed of developments as they happen. If you have questions about anything, ask your District Union Rep.
Remain united and together we will prove ...
Solidarity Works!
