Retail Bargaining Update 5/1/26

After a long and hard-fought process, the Union Bargaining Committee received a final offer Thursday evening, April 30.

Throughout bargaining, we stayed focused on the priorities raised by the membership. The top concern was protecting the long-term stability of our Health and Welfare Fund. In our last contract we were able to build the Fund reserves to their strongest position ever. The offer we were able to secure during these negotiations will continue to protect this important benefit during these turbulent times.

On wages, the agreement includes increases of $0.55 per year for top and overscale employees. In addition, for the first time in our history, we achieved parity between full-time and part-time wage rates. The bargaining committee worked to ensure that all members, regardless of status, are treated equally and fairly.

This was a difficult round of bargaining. The committee members pushed their employers throughout the process and worked to secure the strongest agreement possible.

We will be posting the full details early next week so members can review all provisions in full and have informed conversations with their union representatives.  Voting will take place in the stores, as usual, during the week of May 18. Specific dates and times for each employer and location will be finalized and communicated next week.

I want to thank the members of the bargaining committee for their hard work, discipline, and commitment throughout a very challenging process and their dedication to achieving the goal of protecting our benefits and creating equality amongst their fellow workers.

In Solidarity,

President Adam J. Evenstad