Tentative Agreement Reached with Kowalski's
Ratification Vote will take place on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 in store breakrooms from 6-8 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. and at the UFCW 1189 Union Hall from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Members can vote at any store within the 1189 jurisdiction.
Update 4/8/2024:
After reaching tentative agreements with Cub and Festival, the Union was able to secure an increase to the wages in the previous Tentative Agreement ahead of tomorrow’s vote so that Kowalski’s workers will not be behind other 1189 grocery workers. This is a testament to the fact that these contracts are all connected and evidence of the incredible solidarity of our Union!
These increases have been approved by the committee and will be included in the voting document tomorrow.
Highlights:
Wages (updated)
- Full-Time:
- 4/7/24 - $2.10 increase top and overscale
- 4/6/25 - $1.90 increase top and overscale
- Part-Time:
- 4/7/24 - $1.35 increase top and overscale
- 4/6/25 - $1.35 increase top and overscale
More full-time job opportunities
Job protections for existing full-timers
Increases to paid time off and personal holidays
Increases to strengthen our healthcare, without additional contributions from the membership
New safety language
With record setting wage increases for their employer, the bargaining committee at Kowalski’s reached an agreement today that will set a precedent for years to come, and bring lasting positive change to the lives of their coworkers. With increases to paid time off, hours available to part-time employees, and the number of employees who qualify for health insurance, this agreement ensures a future where all employees can be productive, healthy, and maintain a sustainable work-life balance. Directly creating many more, well-paid, benefitted, and family sustaining full-time jobs, the deal reached today has also gone further in creating those opportunities than any retail grocery deal in recent memory. The deal also protected existing full-time jobs by guaranteeing that no meat department employee will ever be laid off, reduced in hours or removed from their historical schedules.
The committee also showed that worker health and safety is a priority by achieving wins related to safe staffing, dangerous situations at work, and making sure that no employee will ever have to make the decision between driving to work during a no travel advisory, and being punished for attendance. This commitment to health and safety was also evident in the increases to the Healthcare fund. The additional funding will continue to build health and viability of this fund now and into the future, building upon a benefit that already delivers some of the best care available on the market today.
Congratulations to the Kowalski’s bargaining committee and their fellow members on this historic agreement.