Food 4 Less reaches tentative contract agreement, fending off strike
Less than two weeks ago, union members voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if necessary.
The unions representing more than 6,000 Food 4 Less workers, including nearly 200 in Long Beach, this week reached a tentative contract agreement with the grocer, staving off a strike.
The agreement comes just over a week after the workers represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Locals 8GS, 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442 voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike.
“We are grateful for the solidarity and strength our co-workers have shown throughout negotiations as well as the overwhelming support we have received from our customers and community members,” the union bargaining committee said in a statement Tuesday. “We could not have achieved this deal without them.”
Representatives for Food 4 Less, a Kroger subsidiary, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Details of the agreement have not been made public, but the union said it includes “substantial” wage increases for all workers, more guaranteed hours and other “improvements.”
The union has spent the week sharing details with members and further information is expected to be released following membership voting. Workers will vote next week, with results expected on July 3, according to spokesperson Jenna Thompson.
“Today proves that when workers stand together, we win,” the committee said.
