Michigan Meijer Workers Ratify New Contracts, Benefits Plan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  Michigan Meijer workers represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Local 951 voted to approve new contracts and a benefits plan.

The new Retail, Distribution Center, and Retail Property Management and Services contracts, along with the new Universal Benefits Agreement, met the membership's bargaining goals according to Marv Russow, UFCW 951 President and Chief Union Negotiator for the talks.

"It's great when you can leave the bargaining table with contracts that meet the goals members established for the negotiations," Russow said. "Securing wage increases, health insurance improvements and other contract gains in these difficult economic times was tough, but in the end we were able to bargain agreements that work for all members."

In addition to wage increases for all members and greater affordability of health insurance, the new agreements include: a reduction in the work hours required to receive paid time off for all members, increases in paid time off for most members, pension security for long term members, a new 401(k) program featuring an employer contribution and match, and a retirement incentive for long term members.

"I think one of the reasons the new agreements were so positively received by the membership is that they offer meaningful improvements of one type or another for everyone," Russow said. "The Meijer membership is a very diverse group in terms of their age, seniority, and family circumstances. The new agreements effectively balance the needs of these various groups and truly offer something for everyone."

Over 27,000 workers are covered by the contracts, which take effect March 4, 2012 and vary in duration from 53 to 61 months. The Universal Benefits Agreement is a five year pact expiring Dec. 31, 2016.

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, UFCW Local 951 represents over 28,500 workers across Michigan in a variety of industries including retail food, food processing, nursing home, and retail drug employed at several companies including Meijer, Kroger, Rite Aid, Plumb's, Polly's, and Harding's.

SOURCE UFCW 951