On August 27, more than 200 members of UFCW Local 5 who work for OLAM Americas in California recently ratified a new contract. OLAM Americas is an agricultural harvesting company, and these members harvest onions and garlic from April to November beginning in the Imperial Valley before moving to Blyth, Ariz., and then to the San Joaquin Valley. The majority of the members in this unit are women.
The four-year contract, which was ratified by an overwhelming margin of the members, provides a 15 percent pay increase over the life of the agreement, maintains affordable health care, and increases retirement benefits by more than 30 percent. The contract also adds two new paid holidays, and includes improved contract language around funeral leave, jury duty pay, and attendance policy.
“This historic agreement provides our members with much needed wage increases and a pathway to a secure retirement,” said UFCW Local 5 Secretary-Treasurer Oscar Orozco.
Workers at OLAM Americas joined UFCW Local 5 in 1997 when the company operated as Gilroy Foods.
