GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A labor union representing 25,000 Meijer workers throughout Michigan says its members have ratified a new contract that provides wage increases, more paid time off and a 25% retirement contribution increase.
John Cakmakci, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 951 in Kentwood, said members approved the new contract this week.
“Not only are our members receiving significant wage increases, but the length of time it takes them to get to the top rate has been reduced due to the closing of gaps in the wage scale,” he said in a news release. “I am proud of the members who served on the bargaining committee and worked together to achieve contract gains that improve the lives of their fellow members.”
The union represents a host of employees at Meijer, including retail, distribution and transportation workers.
Related: Meijer set to bargain new contract for 25,000 Michigan workers
The four-year contracts go into effect Feb. 25.
Here are some of the highlights, as described by the union:
- Immediate wage increases of up to $1.50 per hour.
- More paid time off for workers hired after October 2005. Anyone hitting their 18th year of service during the term of the agreement will get no lease than eight additional days off during the term of the agreement and as many as 13 additional days.
- Twenty-five percent increase in the company’s 401(k) match.
- Greater opportunity to obtain full-time positions.
- The healthcare benefits eligibility waiting period for full-time employees was shortened to 30 days from 60 days.
- New paid family care leave provides paid time off to care for family members with a serious illness.
- Guaranteed wage increases every 700 hours worked now instead of 1,000 hours worked in the retail units.
- Increased shift, job classification, and building premiums.
Because Michigan’s right-to-work law was repealed last year by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Democratic-controlled Legislature, all new Meijer employees will be required to join the union or pay a service fee as a condition of their employment, the union said in a release.
Current Meijer employees who previously decided not to join the union, “will have until June 15, 2024 to become a member, pay the service fee or quit the company,” the release says.
“While this is a victory to celebrate, it is important to not sit back and forget about the detrimental impact right-to-work has had on our state,” Cakmakci said in a statement. “Right-to-work laws are about increasing the power of corporations while restricting the power of workers to join together in unions, rather than worker freedom or job creation. Unions are one of the few organized groups that have the capacity to successfully advocate for the economic interests of working people, so the ability for workers to be in a union must be protected.”
Ken Barton, vice president of human resources, supply chain, manufacturing and labor relations at Meijer, said he’s pleased “to have reached an agreement that includes significant investments in our team and demonstrates how much we value and care about our team members.”
“This agreement also positions Meijer to continue providing great services to the communities we serve,” he said.
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