Union Announces 2-Week Contract Extension with King Kullen

WESTBURY, NY (12/11/2013)(readMedia)-- United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1500 announced an agreement to a two-week contract extension with King Kullen. The two-week extension will cover over 2,400 Long Island grocery workers until midnight, December 21, 2013. President and lead negotiator for UFCW Local 1500, Bruce W Both, explained the extension, "In the last two negotiation sessions we've made steady progress, especially in the areas of Pension and Welfare. This two-week extension demonstrates the good faith that has been shown throughout our negotiation process between our Union and King Kullen."

The collective bargaining agreement between UFCW Local 1500 and King Kullen originally expired on September 28, 2013, since then, both parties agreed to three contract extensions throughout the last three months, the latest expired on November 30, 2013.

President Both explained the difficulties these negotiations have presented; "Pension and Welfare issues have been the major hurdles during negotiations. Throughout the country, companies are using the new Affordable Care Act mandates as a weapon to diminish union contracts. Our negotiating committee is fighting every day to protect our Pensions, Benefits and protections we've earned throughout our decades of representing King Kullen workers," Both said.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, based out of Westbury, New York, represents over 22,000 grocery workers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Members of Local 1500 are employed by Pathmark, Fairway, Stop and Shop, Gristedes, D'Agostinos, Key Food, Shop Rite and King Kullen.

Stay up to date with UFCW Local 1500 on twitter @ufcw1500, facebook.com/ufcw1500, and at www.ufcw1500.org.