New York's Largest Grocery Workers Union and Supermarkets Agree to Two Week Contract Extension

WESTBURY, NY (09/24/2013)(readMedia)-- United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers Union, and representatives of Stop and Shop and King Kullen Supermarkets have agreed to extend negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement beyond the September 28th, 2013 contract expiration date. Due to the challenges the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has presented during the ongoing discussions, both parties have agreed to extend the term of the existing contract until October 12th, 2013.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a new Federal statute signed into law on March 23, 2010 and represents the most significant overhaul of the country's healthcare system since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.

"This contract extension accomplishes two objectives. It allows Union and management representatives to continue to meet and negotiate over the legally required changes to our Health and Welfare Plan required under the Affordable Care Act and guarantees that over 10,000 of our members will continue to keep working under the protection of their Union contract," said Bruce W. Both, President of UFCW Local 1500. "This 22,000 page federal healthcare mandate comes with serious cost increases to health care plans and it is the Unions priority to ensure that our members continue to receive the most comprehensive and affordable health care available."

"Unlike companies such as Trader Joe's and Walgreens, who are simply sending thousands of low wage workers to new state health care exchanges without understanding the cost implications to their employees, UFCW Local 1500 negotiators are determined to minimize the financial impact of the ACA on our membership and negotiate new collective bargaining agreements that also address important issues such as wages and pensions. We will not allow the ACA to be used to undermine the excellent Union contracts our members have fought for and earned over many years. We believe this extension will assist us achieve that goal" Both concluded.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 represents grocery workers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Members of Local 1500 are employed by Pathmark, King Kullen, Stop and Shop, Gristedes, Fairway, D'Agastinos, Key Food and Shop Rite.

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