For nearly six months, you have been subjected to significant uncertainty while we have grappled with negotiations in the midst of a global pandemic and rising inflation.
As you know better than most frontline and essential workers, this is one of the most difficult and stressful times in recent memory.
Working in cooperation with our sisters and brothers at UFCW Local 5 and 648, our UFCW 8 negotiators are as determined as ever to win you fair wages, affordable health care and a secure retirement as well as your dignity on the job while recognizing the competitive realities in today’s economy.
Negotiations with Save Mart have stalled, and there has been little to no movement by the company in recent weeks. The company’s current offer would jeopardize medical benefits, and we believe their wage proposal doesn’t adequately reward your sacrifice and effort.
We are exploring every avenue with your employer to try and find a path to a settlement we can recommend for your approval. We are scheduled to meet in person with Save Mart/Lucky to compel the company to present their last best and final offer. The hard deadline to reach an agreement is midnight, March 24, 2022.
In the event the key issues regarding protecting your healthcare, pension and meaningful wage increases are not resolved, strike authorization votes will be conducted Friday through Saturday, March 25 through 26.
We are calling these meetings to send a strong and united message to Save Mart, which will underscore your determination to be treated fairly.
Please be on the alert for future updates or next steps and please log onto ufcw8.org regularly.
We know this is a tense and difficult time for you and your co-workers at Save Mart, but it is not a time for any of us to let up. We will see this through.
Continue to stand strong with our Union.
Your bargaining committee thanks you for your continued support through these negotiations and remember, together we will prove, once again, Solidarity Works!
