United Food workers prepare to open contract negotiations with Meijer supermarket
Tens of thousands of Meijer workers in Michigan are seeking wage increases, more paid time off and an enhanced medical plan during union contract negotiations expected to begin next week.
"When the pandemic hit, we were all going to work," John Cakmakci, the president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 951, told the Free Press, adding Tuesday that the union has not yet set specific targets, but the retailer is generally aware of its goals. "We seem to have been forgotten now."
It's time, he added, for Meijer to share its "healthy profits" with its workers.
The union, which represents about 23,000 Meijer employees, is emphasizing that in addition to putting their lives on the line during the deadly pandemic, workers deserve better benefits and conditions and, if necessary, could go on strike.
At the same time, Meijer — which has more than 240 supercenters in six mostly Midwest states and employs about 70,000 — told the Free Press it has "a positive, long-standing relationship with the UFCW" and looks forward "to productive negotiations."
Negotiations with the privately held retailer based in the Grand Rapids area begin on Oct. 11 and come as union workers in Michigan and nationwide are taking stronger stands to demand better wages, benefits, and conditions.
More: UAW strike strategy could mean 18,495 jobs lost in Michigan by end of week
High-profile contract negotiations underway now include talks between the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Hollywood studios and the United Auto Workers and the carmakers.
The UAW is putting pressure on Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, with strikes and picket lines, and the outcome of those negotiations could help strengthen the appeal of unions and embolden their actions. Cakmakci said that in 40 years, he has never seen the pendulum swing so fast toward labor.
Moreover, an analysis by the Economic Policy Institute — a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank — of Bureau of Labor Statistics and National Labor Relations Board data found union membership in the United States increased from 2021 to 2022 by more than 200,000 workers.
However, the institute also found that the share of workers represented by a union still declined slightly from 11.6% to 11.3%, indicating, the institute concluded, that more jobs were unionized, but nonunion jobs were added at a faster rate.
Still, unions appear to be focused on leveraging support for organized labor, as well as public outrage against soaring executive compensation, to reach better deals through bargaining. They also are willing to flex by striking.
The UFCW said it wants "significant wage increases" for union workers as well as additional paid time off; and "an affordable medical plan that protects workers from catastrophic medical debt in the event of a serious illness or injury."
In addition to Meijer, the UFCW represents workers employed at a variety of companies including Kroger, Rite Aid, JBS, JLL, Knouse Foods, Polly’s, Harding’s, Heritage Provisioning, and Grandville Roasting & Packaging Plant.
"The public support for unions and striking workers is at a near all-time high," Cakmakci said. "After years of making sacrifices, putting their lives on the line each day as essential workers, and watching CEOs and shareholders reap the rewards, workers are rightfully demanding their fair share."
Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Meijer workers prep for contract talks, counting on union support
