Stater Bros. Workers Reach Tentative Agreement with Union

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Stater Bros. And union Reach Tentative Contract Agreement,averting Potential Strike

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The United Food and Commercial Workers union, representing approximately 12,000 Stater Bros. employees throughout Southern california, announced Wednesday a tentative contract agreement with the grocery retailer. This development effectively averts a potential strike that workers had previously authorized.

negotiations, spanning four sessions in just nine days, culminated in a proposed agreement that addresses key concerns raised by the union. Details remain confidential for now, pending review by union members.

Union officials confirmed the agreement encompasses increased wages, bolstered pension contributions, and enhancements to health, welfare benefits, and staffing levels. A planned boycott of the Stater Bros. location in Huntington Beach, scheduled for Thursday, has been canceled in light of this progress.

“This victory underscores the power of collective action,” declared the United Food and Commercial Workers Stater Bros. Bargaining Committee in a statement. “Together, we demonstrated our solidarity and secured a contract reflecting our value.”

The specifics of the tentative agreement will be presented exclusively to union members during upcoming meetings. Further details will be released to the public following the ratification vote.Stater Bros. Markets also issued a statement acknowledging the agreement.

“Negotiations were conducted in good faith, with both sides working hard to reach a fair deal that supports our teammates and holds the line on prices for our customers,” Stater Bros. Markets stated. “We appreciate the collaborative effort and are encouraged that the union is recommending the agreement for ratification.”

Grocery store labor negotiations have been notably active in recent years, reflecting broader economic pressures and the essential role these workers play in the supply chain. Similar negotiations have unfolded at other major grocery chains across the country, often resulting in similar demands for improved wages and benefits.

The outcome of this agreement could set a precedent for future negotiations within the industry,possibly influencing standards for grocery workers throughout Southern California and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the status of the Stater Bros. contract negotiations?

A tentative contract agreement has been reached between Stater Bros. and the United Food and commercial Workers union, averting a potential strike.

How many Stater Bros. employees are affected by this agreement?

Approximately 12,000 Stater Bros. employees in Southern California are represented by the union and will be impacted by the contract.

What are the key provisions of the tentative agreement?

The agreement includes higher wages, increased pension contributions, and improvements to health, welfare, and staffing. Specific details are being shared with union members.

Was a strike threatened before the agreement?

Yes, union workers had previously authorized a strike if a contract agreement could not be reached.

What happened to the planned boycott?

The boycott of the Stater Bros. Huntington Beach location, scheduled for Thursday, was called off following the tentative agreement.

When will the agreement be finalized?

The agreement must be ratified by union members through a voting process. Details will be released publicly after the vote.

Where can I find more information about the negotiations?

Further information will be shared by the United Food and Commercial Workers union and Stater Bros. Markets following the ratification vote.

What are the specific wage increase ranges included in the tentative agreement for Stater Bros. workers?

Key Terms of the Tentative Agreement

On August 7, 2025, Stater Bros. Markets and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 135 announced a tentative agreement, averting a potential strike that loomed over Southern California grocery shoppers. This agreement impacts over 17,000 Stater Bros. employees across 170 stores. Here’s a breakdown of the key provisions:

Wage increases: The agreement includes significant wage increases for all Stater Bros. workers. Specific details are still emerging, but reports indicate a tiered system with increases ranging from $0.75 to $1.50 per hour over the contract’s duration. This addresses concerns about the rising cost of living and competitive wages offered by other grocery chains like Ralphs and Vons.

Healthcare Benefits: Maintaining affordable healthcare was a central issue in negotiations. The tentative agreement preserves existing healthcare benefits with minimal changes to employee contributions. This is a major win for union members, given the increasing cost of healthcare nationwide.

Pension Security: A critical component of the agreement focuses on bolstering the security of Stater Bros. employee pension plans. The UFCW successfully negotiated provisions to protect and strengthen these plans, ensuring a secure retirement for long-term employees.

Paid Time Off: The agreement includes enhancements to paid time off (PTO) policies, providing workers with more adaptability and time to address personal needs. Details include increased accrual rates and expanded eligibility criteria.

Impact on Stater Bros. Employees

The tentative agreement represents a positive outcome for Stater Bros. employees, who have been working under an expired contract since June 19th. The potential for a strike created significant anxiety among workers and customers alike.

Financial Stability: The wage increases will provide a much-needed boost to the financial stability of Stater Bros. employees, notably in light of inflation and rising housing costs in Southern California.

Improved Work-Life Balance: Enhanced PTO policies will allow employees to better manage their work-life balance, reducing stress and improving overall well-being.

Peace of Mind: The preservation of healthcare and pension benefits provides employees with peace of mind, knowing that their essential benefits are secure.

UFCW Local 135 Role: The UFCW Local 135 played a crucial role in advocating for the rights and needs of Stater Bros. workers throughout the negotiation process. Their commitment to securing a fair contract was instrumental in reaching this tentative agreement.

What Happens Next? Ratification Process

The tentative agreement is not yet finalized. It must be ratified by a vote of the UFCW Local 135 membership.

1. Facts Meetings: The UFCW will hold informational meetings in the coming days to present the details of the agreement to its members.
2. Membership vote: A ratification vote will be scheduled, allowing union members to cast their ballots on whether to accept or reject the agreement.
3. Official Announcement: Once the vote is tallied, the UFCW will announce the results. If ratified, the agreement will go into affect immediately. If rejected, negotiations could resume, potentially leading to a strike.

Stater Bros. and the Competitive Grocery Landscape

This agreement comes at a time of intense competition within the Southern California grocery market. Ralphs and Vons, both owned by Kroger, recently reached agreements with their unionized workforce after a period of tense negotiations and threatened strikes.

Industry Trends: The grocery industry is facing challenges related to labor costs, supply chain disruptions, and changing consumer preferences.

Labor Negotiations: Recent labor negotiations across the industry highlight the growing power of unions and the increasing demands for fair wages and benefits.

Stater Bros.’ Position: Stater Bros., as a privately held company, operates differently than its publicly traded competitors. This often influences its approach to labor negotiations. Maintaining a positive relationship with its workforce is seen as crucial to its success.

Historical Context: Previous stater Bros. Union Agreements

Past negotiations between Stater Bros. and the UFCW have often been contentious, but ultimately resulted in agreements that addressed the needs of both parties.

2019 Agreement: The 2019 agreement focused on wage increases and healthcare benefits, mirroring many of the concerns addressed in the current negotiations.

Long-Term Relationship: Stater Bros. and the UFCW have a long-standing relationship,built on a history of collective bargaining and compromise.This history likely contributed to the successful negotiation of the tentative agreement.

Resources for More Information

UFCW Local 135: [https://www.ufcw135.org/](https://www.ufcw1