We are pleased to announce on Monday, February 12th, 2024, more than 1,100 UFCW Local 152 members who work in the retail departments at Acme Markets in New Jersey came together and ratified a historic new union contract! Congratulations to our members!

Members at the Acme Markets Retail Clerks ratification meeting.

Strong Improvements

While it is no secret that healthcare benefits can be costly, one of the largest contractual benefits for Acme Markets retail clerks has been high-quality healthcare with absolutely no out-of-pocket cost-sharing. The committee was determined to continue to preserve this great benefit. Through hard bargaining, we are proud to announce that they were successful and our members will continue to pay nothing for health benefits!

On top of that, all members–including top-of-scale workers–will receive immediate across-the-board wage increases and will receive very competitive annual raises as well. Rated positions and night crew workers will receive noteworthy premiums, with the latter guaranteeing a respectable $3.00/hour premium. The agreement also updates the progression scale.

Additionally, Acme Markets has agreed to yearly increases to all members’ monthly contribution rates to the UFCW Local 152 Savings Fund. At the conclusion of the four-year agreement, full-timers will obtain a nearly 65% increase in their contribution rate and part-timers will have doubled their contribution rate. Wow! These higher contributions will help our members prepare for a more comfortable retirement.

Members at the Acme Markets Retail Clerks ratification meeting on 2/12/24.

Better Life

Workers at Acme Markets traditionally had to use their vacation time in weekly increments. With the implementation of the new contract, members are now able to request all time off in single-day increments, allowing our members to distribute their vacation days more conveniently. All employees can now carry over one week of vacation to the following year. Lastly, paid holidays, vacation, and personal days will now count toward the computation of overtime.

Finally, formal language was added to the contract for extenuating circumstances such as pandemics and dangerous emergencies. This language gives the union an open door to have discussions with Acme Markets in the event of these emergencies to discuss safety issues, hazard pay, and more.

Committee

Congratulations to our members! It could not have been accomplished without the hard work of our great negotiating committee. This included Executive Assistant to the President Dan Ross, Secretary-Treasurer Dan Konczyk, Assistant Director of Collective Bargaining Lisa Sanders, Director of Field Services Danette Montes-Palmore, Union Representatives Cary Lawson and Tom Hartle, as well as Shop Stewards Dawn Bertino, Arthur Blomkvest, Karen Boyle, Kimberly Broomell, Cathy Brophy, Cristina Durst, James Frick, William Garofalo, Michael Nicholas, Ruthann Spencer Dunn, and Eugene Zebrowski. We would not have accomplished such a great contract without your unwavering commitment.

UFCW Local 152 proudly represents over 1,100 retail clerks in Acme Markets in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and southern Ocean counties in New Jersey.

Are you interested in joining UFCW Local 152? Start by learning more about What Unions Do or fill out our Union Interest Form.