Freshco members in Burlington ratify

On March 17, 2019, members of UFCW Local 175 working at Brant Street Freshco ratified a renewal collective agreement.

The contract covers more than 40 employees at the Burlington grocery store.

Through this round of bargaining, the parties went to conciliation because the employer refused to withdraw concessions from the table.

The resulting agreement will see a new wage scale with minimum wage plus language starting in 2020 for both part-time workers and students. The part-time top rate on that scale is set at Minimum Wage plus $1.40 per hour. Both full and part-time employees will receive lump sum retroactive payments for hours worked since September 9, 2018. The retro pay will be calculated at:

• 50 cents per hour for full-time,
• $200 flat for part-time hired before September 9, 2018, and;
• $50 flat for those part-timers hired after that date.

The premium for hours worked in the cash office will improve to 70 cents per hour, up from 30 cents. Members also benefit from improved vision care coverage to reimburse 100% of the cost of eye exams, up from 50%, and provide $200 per 24-month period toward eyewear, up from $125. The employer also agreed to contribute an additional 1 cent per hour worked toward the employees’ dental plan to maintain benefits should the plan trustees call for it.

Lastly, the employer will contribute $250 to the UFCW Local 175 Training & Education Fund.

Union Negotiating Committee: Betty June Baynton, Tammy Thompson, Donna White, and Union Rep Fred Teeple.