ShopRite Meat Clerks Pass Union Contract – 6/2/2021

A member casting his vote at the ShopRite Meat ratification meeting.

On Wednesday, June 2nd, ShopRite Meat Clerks (which includes all workers in the meat department as well as the deli/appy and seafood departments) in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware voted to extend their current agreement until 2026!

The extension guaranteed across-the-board raises increases for all classifications! In response to the New Jersey minimum wage escalation, the extension addressed wage compression by guaranteeing that senior members will maintain higher wages than new hires. Furthermore, additional contributions will be added to the retirement savings for eligible members.

The bargaining unit has always emphasized the importance of their health benefits. Through the course of negotiations, the Committee was able to achieve an appropriate Employer-paid maintenance of benefits increase while still guaranteeing ZERO employee cost share for the life of the agreement! As the cost of health benefits continues to skyrocket, this is a massive win for our members!

Committee

Congratulations to the Negotiating Committee and our members on this monumental win! The Negotiating Committee consisted of UFCW Local 152 President Brian String, Director of Collective Bargaining Dan Ross, Union Representative Tom Hartle, S.P.U.R. Nelson Albano, Union Representative Edna Inge, S.P.U.R. Kelli Wehman, Union Representative Carmine DelVicarrio, Director of Communications/Union Representative Mike Thompson.

It also included twenty-three amazing Shop Stewards and members: Jauzell Dozier, Dennis Clifford, Pete Evangelidis, Paul Vasapollo, Gerald Murphy, Tom Grady, Curt Hickey, Brian Perason, Bubba Hill, Debbie Dodds, Tim Welsh, Jacqueline Solomon, Dennis Lewinski, Elizabeth Disbrow-Smith, Eric Richmond, Patricia Wagner, Michael Sheridan, Gregory Carbonaro, Tom Worrell, Michael Protasi, Janice Blake, Patricia Hardison, and Michelle Scott. Great job by all!

UFCW Local 152 represents roughly 1,500 “meat” clerks at ShopRite across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Since the 1940s, ShopRite “has grown into the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and the largest employer in New Jersey,” according to the company’s website. UFCW Local 152 members are the powerhouse of the store, and we are proud to represent you!