UNFI/Cub Foods Duluth Negotiations Update

The bargaining committee met with the Employer on January 30 and February 1 this week, with each side exchanging non-economic proposals.  Generally, contract proposals fall into one of two categories:

1. Economic proposals, such as wages, paid time off, health insurance, retirement; or
2. Non-economic items, such as safety standards, seniority, and the grievance and arbitration procedure.

We will move onto exchanging economic proposals once we finish up bargaining the non-economic issues first.

Opening proposals for the Employer include quite a few things that the committee is strongly against including:

1. Changing language in Article 2.01 that would Increase the amount of non-union management positions at the Duluth store from 3 to 6.
2. Striking language in Article 9.04 that would drastically change how work on holidays is scheduled by no longer rotating in reverse order of seniority as well as forcing employees to work two or even more successive holidays.
3. Eliminate lead positions under Article 10.06 as well as no longer offering lead pay going forward.

The Union is continuing to hold strong on our non-economic proposals relating to workplace safety covering pandemics, violence and weather.

Our next dates for bargaining are March 25-28 (previously scheduled for March 11-13).