On Friday, November 7th, more than 400 workers at ShopRite locations in Brookhaven and Drexeline, Pennsylvania ratified a new union contract! Congratulations!
The four-year agreement introduces many new benefits to our members at these two stores. First, all members will receive an across-the-board wage increase in addition to securing annual increases for the life of the contract. Department managers and classified positions will receive a more substantial increase, including the newly recognized scanning position. Furthermore, all night crew employees will receive a third shift premium, rewarding those who take the less desirable shift. Members at these stores are also able to opt into working four ten-hour days and may now request all vacation in weeks or days.
The committee secured affordable union healthcare for these members at ShopRite. Members who choose to waive healthcare benefits will now receive a higher monthly premium. The contract also introduces other ancillary benefits for our members to consider opting into, such as Pre-Paid Legal Benefits, Long Term Disability, Sickness and Accident Benefits, an Education Benefit, a Dependent Reimbursement program, and a Dependent Care FSA (Flexible Spending Account).
Finally, other minor, miscellaneous provisions were added, including extending funeral leave for certain family members, language for members to opt into the UFCW Active Ballot Club, and pandemic language, which will provide an open door for conversation between Local 152 and the Employer in the event of another pandemic.
Congratulations to our members. This achievement would not have been possible without the union negotiating committee, which included Executive Vice President Lisa Sanders, Director of Collective Bargaining Louis Faiola, and Union Representative Ed Fuller.
UFCW Local 152 proudly represents the members at the Brookhaven and Drexeline ShopRite stores. Since the 1940s, ShopRite “has grown into the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States,” according to the company’s website. Our UFCW Local 152 members are front and center of the business, working hard despite treacherous weather, holidays, and more.
Are you interested in joining UFCW Local 152? Start by learning more about how to start a union at your workplace.