The Teamsters Union announced Wednesday that it has reached a tentative agreement with grocery companies Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons that, if passed, will cover more than 8,000 members across Southern California and avoid a strike.
The drivers, warehouse, dairy and manufacturing workers at the three companies will vote on the tentative agreement Oct. 16-18. The union and company reached the tentative agreement following three months of negotiations, avoiding a possible strike, according to the union. Union members overwhelmingly authorized a strike two weeks ago after the contract expired Sept. 19, according to the Teamsters.
“It was a challenging negotiation process, but we were able to hash out an agreement that will help raise work standards and compensation for all of our members at Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons,” said chief negotiator Rick Middleton, the Teamsters’ western region international vice president. “We will review the details of the agreement with our members and recommend they vote for passage.”
Rusty Hicks, executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, appeared optimistic.
“On behalf of the L.A. labor movement, we stand with all workers impacted by the contract between Teamsters and the three grocery companies,” he said. “We hope for an agreement that includes better wages, hours, and working conditions.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million workers throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
— Wire reports