Safeway, Albertson’s Reach Accord With Union

Safeway Inc. and Albertson’s Inc. reached an agreement Tuesday with union negotiators on a contract that will grant 10,000 grocery store workers in Northern California raises of as much as $1.50 a hour over three years, the union said.

Albertson’s, the No. 2 supermarket chain, and Safeway, the third-largest, agreed with United Food and Commercial Workers 588 on a three-year contract that will raise wages and pensions and maintain current health benefits, said Jack Loveall, president of the union. The contract will begin July 1 once approved by the union’s members.

Under the terms of the contract, deli clerks, cashiers and other workers at Albertson’s and Safeway stores in Northern California will have their pay increased by 50 cents an hour over the next three years, while those who bag groceries will get raises of 30 cents. Workers also will have their pensions raised to as high as $1,900 a month, Loveall said, a boost of $250 a month.

About 60% of the workers are employed by Boise, Idaho-based Albertson’s, Loveall said, while the remainder work at Safeway.