SEATTLE (AP) — A union spokesman says grocery workers in King, Snohomish and Kitsap counties have ratified a new contract with the four major grocery chains — Safeway, QFC, Fred Meyer and Albertsons.
Spokesman Tom Geiger of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 21, said Friday night that workers have approved the pact with a 95 percent yes vote. Also involved in negotiations that began nine months ago were UFCW Local 81 and Teamsters Local 38.
Issues included pay and health and pension benefits. Contract details have not been released. Geiger says the contract improves wages and working conditions and protects an affordable health plan.
He says the contract also covers workers at many independent grocery stores in the region. There will be additional contract votes by workers in several other counties in coming weeks.
