About 1,700 workers represented by Teamsters Local 439 ratified a five-year contract at Safeway’s Stockton, California, warehouse, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said, citing wage and pension gains and lifetime benefits in the deal.
The union reported a 95% ratification margin and described the site as Safeway’s largest U.S. warehouse. It did not disclose how many ballots were cast.
The union put the combined wage and pension increases at $12 over the contract’s term, but did not specify the unit or how the amount is divided. It said active employees and retirees are covered by lifetime medical, health and welfare, and dental benefits.
The union said the agreement adds four newly organized classifications to the contract: automation clerks, quality control clerks, traffic clerks and inventory control clerks. The Teamsters said the terms protect workers as automation advances and place jobs created through future technology under union coverage.
The union said workers were ready to strike, and Local 439’s bargaining committee had told Safeway it would not give the expiring contract more time. Sal Lomeli, secretary-treasurer of Local 439, said members’ willingness to act helped in negotiations. “Our unity and willingness to take action give us strength at the bargaining table.”
