Members of UFCW Local 791 who work at Shaw’s supermarkets and distribution center ratified two new contracts on June 5 that strengthen wages and benefits.
“The union did a great job negotiating this contract,” said Tom Ryan, who works at Shaw’s in Sharon, Mass.
One of the contracts covers over 3,700 UFCW Local 791 members who work at 26 Shaw’s supermarkets in Massachusetts and Rhode island, and are employed in customer service; as cashiers, baggers and general duty clerks; in the grocery, bakery, deli, seafood, produce, sanitation, floral and meat departments; in receiving and store maintenance; and as Drive Up and Go shoppers.
Key provisions of this three-year contract include general wage increases for full-time and part-time members based on years of service; a substantial increase in the employer’s monthly contribution to each health care plan for the term of the agreement; a minimal increase in weekly employee contributions to each health care plan; and an additional tier for health care for employees who fall out of compliance with the Affordable Care Act. The contract also increases the pension plan; maintains time and one half pay for work performed on Sundays and holidays; increases the company paid life insurance plan for full-time and part-time employees; and creates a Diversity and Inclusion Article for non-discrimination purposes.
“The union did a great job negotiating this contract,” said Tom Ryan, who works at Shaw’s in Sharon, Mass., and has been a member of UFCW Local 791 since 1986. “In my 36 years employed with Shaw’s, this is by far the best contract I have seen.”
The other contract covers over 270 Local 791 members at Shaw’s distribution center in Wells, Maine, who are employed as order selectors; forklift operators; in maintenance; and as shipping, receiving and sanitation clerks.
“This contract is one of the best that this building has received, including minimal increases in the cost of benefits with good pay raises across the board,” said Nate Jordan, who works at Shaw’s distribution center in Wells, Maine.
Key provisions of that three-year contract include general wage increases for each year of the contract; a substantial increase in the employer’s monthly contribution to each health care plan; and a minimal increase in weekly employee contributions to each health care plan. The contract also increases the pension plan; creates a Diversity and Inclusion Article for non-discrimination purposes; shortens the amount of time it takes to acquire paid benefit time; and revises the Paid Sick Leave Article to allow members to use their time as they see fit.
“This contract is one of the best that this building has received, including minimal increases in the cost of benefits with good pay raises across the board,” said Nate Jordan, who works at Shaw’s distribution center and has been a member of UFCW Local 791 since 1997.