*News and Events*
 
2012  
   
2011  
12/16 Kaiser PSP Goals-LOS & VPP*  
12/12 *Kaiser Members, Please Complete Your Bargaining Surveys!*  
12/09 *Food 4 Less Members Give Overwhelming Strike Authorization*  
12/01 Labor Board Approves Faster Vote on Unions  
12/01 *UFCW Members at SuperFresh and Pathmark Ratify Contract*  
11/30 *Food 4 Less Strike Authorization Vote Meetings*  
11/18 *Food 4 Less Negotiations are ongoing.  The next scheduled negotiations is on Tuesday, Nov.22.  
10/18 *In a radio message to the community on behalf of the members of UFCW Local 135, sports broadcaster Ted Leitner thanked the
people of San Diego for supporting the region’s 14,000 grocery workers during the recent supermarket contract negotiations. Leitner, the voice of the San Diego Padres
and the SDSU Aztecs, expressed the union’s gratitude for backing the workers’ struggle to defend their health benefits*		  
10/10 *Stater Brothers Ratify Their Contract*  
10/07 *The Professional Division-Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons pharmacists voted to accept their employer’s contract offer.*  
09/24 *Grocery Workers Across Southern California Ratify Their Contract*  
10/04 *Stater Brothers Ratification Vote*
  
09/22 *UFCW Professional Division - Vons, Ralphs and Albertsons Pharmacist Contract Vote*  
09/20 *Ratification Vote Details*  
09/19 *We are pleased to announce we have reached a settlement which protects your health care.  Vote details to come. Thanks for staying strong!!*  
09/18 *Negotiations Continue Since Serving 72 Hour Notice.  We will keep you updated.  Continue Working Until You Hear From Union Representative/Picket Captain.*  
09/15 *72 Hour Notice Served.  16 days of nonstop talks and not enough money to fund healthcare.  We continue to negotiate and want to reach a fair deal.*  
09/13 *The Federal Mediator has a family emergency and has recessed negotiations for 48 hours.  Management still refuses to fund your health benefits.*  
09/05 *Negotiations are ongoing. Management REFUSES to fund your health benefits plan and REFUSES to give a wage proposal. Time is Running Out!  We are getting close to giving management a 72-hour notice.*  
09/02 *Negotiations are ongoing and will continue through the holiday weekend. Major issues, including health care still not resolved. Stay Strong!*  
08/31 *Negotiations resumed August 29th and continues day to day.  Nothing has been agreed to. Ignore rumors. For accurate information contact your Union Representative.*  
08/22 *The final strike authorization vote count was over 90% throughout Southern California. The Federal Mediator has called both parties back into negotiations on Monday August 29. Our members have given their Employers a mandate. We will not accept anymore stalling by Management. It's now plain and simple. We will have a deal or a strike in a short period of time.  
08/22 *Downtown Rally this Wednesday at 12 noon*
  
08/21 *Update: More than 90% of Southern California Grocery Workers voted NO on Managements latest contract proposal. The vote also authorizes a strike when deemed necessary. The Federal Mediator is being contacted with those results. We will update you as soon as additional information is available. Stay Strong, Stay United!!  
08/17 *Management's Health Care proposal still lacks adequate funding and will destroy your health benefits.  Attend Vote meeting at the Scottish Rite Center in Mission Valley on Friday, August 19th and vote NO.  We need to send a strong message to these profitable employers.*  
08/12 *Negotiations will resume on Monday, August 15th.  Vote meetings are scheduled for Friday, August 19th.  We are committed to protecting the health benefits of our members and retirees.*  
08/10 *Southern California Grocery Workers Plan Another Strike Vote*  
08/10 *Don't be fooled. The new Health Care proposal is not what management claims.  It doesn't adequately fund your benefits and will continue deficit spending*  
08/09 *Vote Meetings Scheduled"  
07/18 *Letter to Albertsons Members*
07/18 *Letter to Ralphs Members*
07/18 *Letter to Vons Members*
  
07/11 *With several issues still outstanding in negotiations such as Wages, Working Condtions and Health Benefits, the local unions are, and have been committed to, working 24/7 to try and resolve this contract once and for all. However, Management seems to have other priorities. They continue to only be available 2-3 days a week to meet. You would think that their hard working employees' welfare would be important to them.*
  
07/08 *Negotiations are ongoing. We continue to have the same disparity in our health benefits proposals. We will not devastate the health benefits which are important to our members and their families. We are also discussing other important issues regarding the working conditions of our members.*  
06/29 *Union, grocery store chains' dispute heats up*  
06/23 *SB469, State Big Box Bill, Passes through first committee of the Assembly*  
06/20 *Master Food Negotiations with Albertsons, Ralphs, and Vons are ongoing. We are continuing to work hard at the bargaining table to protect our members health benefits.*
06/10 Negotiations Update: June 10, 2011 *After months of negotiations the parties finally made some progress as management and your Union reached a tentative agreement to secure the integrity of our members’ pension. However, management has NOT changed their proposal on the table, which would devastate our members health benefits. It is critical that you stand united in defending your health care, wages, and working conditions.*  
06/07 *Bonus Video: San Diego Labor Council Supports Grocery Workers*  
06/06 *Please attend to show your support for the grocery workers at Albertsons, Ralphs, and Vons who are fighting to protect their health benefits. Wear your UFCW Gold.*
PRESS CONFERENCE
Location: San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, Time: ‎12:00PM Tuesday, June 7th
  
06/01 *UFCW Local 135 President Praises California Senate's Passage of SB 469*  
05/25 *Negotiations are continuing with the assitance of Federal Mediation. We are committed to protecting our members health care and pension at the bargaining table. Stay strong, stay united, stay informed.  
05/20 *Albertsons, Ralphs, and Vons proposal on health care, is their attempt to devastate your health benefits. Our members deserve better. Our members deserve a fair contract. Stay strong, stay united, stay informed!*  
05/13 *Negotiations continue with the Federal Mediator present. The Southern California Local Unions are  united in preserving health & pension benefits and resisting take aways. Stay Strong and Stay United!*  
04/29 *Federal Mediation has been contacted & will be assisting with our Food negotiations as they continue.  We will update you when there is relevant information to report.  Stay Strong, Stay United, Stay Informed!*  
04/27 *So. Cal. Local Unions' Response to Ralphs Letter to Our Members Regarding Health Benefits*  

04/21 *An overwhelming Strike Authorization Vote by our Albertsons , Ralphs, and Vons members gave your employers a mandate. They need to negotiate a fair deal for the hard working people who make their companies profitable or suffer the consequences.*

  
04/2011 URGENT: STRIKE VOTE MEETING NOTIFICATION
  
Negotiations Update:March 30, 2011  
3/25 *Progress with Albertsons, Ralphs, and Vons negotiations has been slow. We have several meeting dates scheduled over the next few weeks. We are continuing to work hard at the bargaining table for our hard working members. We will give regular updates when there is relevant information to report. Stay strong. Stay united. Stay informed.*  
03/23 *The Video which Honored Our Local as "Union of The Year".  Congratulations to each and every member of Local 135. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJC_JdVjhIY  
03/23 *Sign the petition to support SB469, which protects Small and Neighborhood Business and all the workers in our great union from Big Box retailers like Wal Mart.* We Support SB 469  
3/11 *Progress has been made in our negotiations with Stater Bros. We will continue the updates as bargaining continues.*  
3/4 *The Southern California Local Unions, also signed a contract extension with Albertson, Ralphs, and Vons. The extension runs through March 31. The contract was set to expire this Sunday. We will continue to have regular updates when there is relevant information to report. Stay informed. Stay united!*  
3/3 *With the contract set to expire this Sunday March 6. Today, The Southern Cailfornia Local Unions signed a contract extension with Stater Bros.*  
2/28 *Negotiations are continuing with Albertsons, Ralphs and, Vons, as well as separate negotiations with Stater Bros. We will update you when important information is available. Some of the employers have begun to put out their usual rhetoric during the negotiations process. For accurate information, please review this page, check our web site, and continue to talk to your Union Representative.  Stay informed. Stay United!  
2/18 *Complete your HRQ on-line today. Deadline Extended to May 31, 2011.* http://www.2011HRQ.com/  
2/17 *Negotiations with Stater Bros. have also begun. These are separate negotiations from the other three grocery chains. We will have regular updates as we move forward in the process.*  
2/14 *Grocery contract negotiations are under way. We will have regular updates when there is relevant information to report.  
2/12 *In Grocers' Antitrust Fight, Federal Appellate Court Orders a Rehearing of Earlier Appeals Decision*  
2/2 *Mickey Kasparian endorses Senator Juan Vargas' state-wide Big Box Legislation*  
2/2 *Senator Juan Vargas authors state-wide Big Box Bill*  
2/1 *Wal Mart ripped for giving big bucks to pols, gifts to Albany lawmakers up over two-year period*   
1/27 *Food & Drug Council Convention Report*  
1/27 *Airport Union Jobs Saved"  
1/20 *General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at Local 135's Mission Valley office.

1/10 *Arizona Tragedy* Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was affected by the senseless tragedy which occured today in Tuscon, Arizona at a Safeway store, and also pray that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords can continue to stay strong in the fight for her life.

  
1/10 *Tesco Boss Sir Terry Leahy On Top Of The World As US Losses Peak*  
2010  
12/2  12/2 *City Council Overrides Mayor's Veto - Big Box Ordinance Becomes Law*  
11/29  >11/29 *Mayor Vetoes Big Box Ordinance - Override Vote Set For This Thurs., 12/2, 10am*  
11/18  >11/18/10 *San Diego City Council Adopts Big Box Ordinance*  
11/12  11/12 *94% of Puget Sound Grocery Workers Reject Employers' Proposal & Authorize a Strike*  
11/12  >11/12/10 *BIG BOX ORDINANCE ADOPTION VOTE*  
11/04  >11/4/10 *San Diego City Council Passes Big Box Ordinance*  
11/02  >11/2/10 *Members Urged To Support 'Big Box' Law*  
11/02  >11/2/10 *Union Jobs Endangered at San Diego Airport*  
10/25  >10/25/10 *URGENT - BIG BOX ORDINANCE VOTE, November 3 and November 16  
10/25  >10/25/10 *St. Louis area Grocery Workers Will Vote on Contract*  
10/25  >10/25/10 *Judge Certifies Class-Action Suits Against Ralphs & Albertsons*  
10/20  >10/20/10 *Smith's and UFCW Local 1564 Ratify Agreement in New Mexico*  
10/01  >10/1/10 *Help Save the Jobs of Our Long Time & Dedicated Airport Workers*  
09/29  >09/29/10 *UFCW Local 135's Endorsed Candidates*  
09/29  >09/29/10 *Hometown Heroes: Six Stewards Stand Up to Wal-Mart*  
09/27  >09/27/10 *Hermosa, Manhattan Beach Settle with Grocery Workers Over Strike Treatment*  
09/14  >09/14/10 *Dr Pepper, Snapple and the union representing 300 workers at the Mott’s apple juice plant in Williamson, N.Y. announced a settlement late Monday that ends a 16-week strike. Congratulations to the 300 union members who displayed an amazing amount of solidarity and courage.  
08/05  >08/05/10 *Please join Team UFCW Local 135 to help end Alzheimer's disease.*  
08/03  >08/03/10  *http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/

Pharmacists refer to this website from time to time and also register to receive The Script and subscriber alerts.*

  

08/03  >08/03/10 *Members at Mott's Plant Go On Strike*

  

08/03  >08/03/10 *Notify Your Union of Major Life Changes*

  

07/21  >07/21/10 *Judge Throws Out Union Vote at Fresh & Easy Supplier*

  

05/17  >05/17/10 *Food Workers Union Files Federal Lawsuit Challenging Arizona's Anti-Immigrant Law*

  

05/12  >05/12/10 *Wal-Mart Stores to Pay Up to $86M to Settle Lawsuit*

  

04/26  >04/26/10 *Wal-Mart to Face Massive Class Action Suit*

  

04/26  >04/26/10 *UFCW Members To Feed Homeless*

  

04/08  >04/08/10 *Hirz Named Smart & Final President*

  

>  KAISER MEMBERS - Don't forget to fill out and return your Local Bargaining Survey by MAY 7, 2010.

  

03/31  >03/31/10 *President Obama Appoints 2 Widely-Respected Members to NLRB*

  

03/26  >03/26/10 *Shaw's Strikers Expand Picket Lines Around State*

  

03/09  >03/09/10 *Fresh & Easy To Appeal NLRB Ruling*

  

03/08  >03/08/10 *Shaw's Supermarket Workers Go On Strike*

  

03/07  >03/07/10 *Union Votes To Accept Stop & Shop Contract Proposal*

  

03/04  >03/04/10 *Union Leaders Issue Strike Notice for Stop & Shop*

  

02/24  >02/24/10 *Colorado Safeway Workers Ratify a New Contract*

  

02/21  >02/21/10 *Stop & Shop Union Workers Vote to Authorize a Possible Strike*

  

02/05  >2/5/10 *Solis backs Employee Free Choice, Strong Enforcement of Wage, Safety Laws*

  

02/04  >2/4/10 *Safeway and King Soopers Workers Vote on "Win-Win Situation"*

  

02/04  >2/4/10 *Stop & Shop, Union Workers Posturing as Contract Expires*

  

01/29  >1/29/10 *Single-Payer, Universal Health Care Bill Clears California Senate*

  

01/28  >1/28/10 *Albertsons Union Workers have Tentative Labor Deal*

  

01/21  >1/21/10 *Fresh & Easy - "The Power of Convenience"*

  

01/13  >1/13/10 *Wal-Mart to close 10 Sam’s Club stores*

  
2009  

12/31  >12/31/09 *HAPPY NEW YEAR!  On behalf of Mickey Kasparian, Rosalyn Hackworth, the Officers and Staff of Local 135 we wish you a safe and prosperous New Year!

  

12/31  >12/31/09 *Chesapeake Fish Members Ratify Their Contract* Congratulations to Chesapeake Fish Members who recently ratified a four year agreement.

  

12/31  >12/31/09 *DC Grocers Prepare for Bag Tax*

  

12/30  >12/30/09 *Whole Foods CEO to Give Up Title of Chairman*

  

11/30  >11/30/09 *UFCW International President Hansen's Letter to Senate Majority Leader Reid*

  

11/21  >11/21/09 *Acme Workers Won't Strike..Talks impacting 3 Cumberland County Acmes Continue*

  

11/18  >11/18/09 *Grocery Workers Ponder 'final offers' from Safeway, King Soopers*

  

11/14  >11/14/09 *Colorado: Grocery Stores Offer New Pact for Workers: Union Votes Next Week*

  

11/13  >11/13/09 *Union and Grocery Companies Reach Agreement, Strike Averted*

  

11/12  >11/12/09 *Arizona Grocery Store Workers Poised to Strike*

  

10/30  >10/30/09 *3 Former Ralphs Executives Sue Grocery Chain and its Parent*

  

10/23  >10/23/09 *King Soopers Warns of Lockout*

  

10/14  >10/14/09 *Denver Grocery Talks Set To Resume Oct. 20*

  

10/8  >10/08/09 *Wal-Mart video; Continuing to destroy the lives of working people*

  

10/7  >10/07/09 *How Imminent is a Grocery Workers Strike After Latest Contract Rejection?*

  

10/7  >10/07/09 *Fresh & Easy Expected to Lose $259 million in Fiscal Year*

  

10/6  >10/06/09 *Colorado Grocery Workers Reject Offer*

  

10/5  >10/05/09 *Tesco Plans Cash Injection Into US Arm*

  

09/24  >09/24/09 *Local 135 Welcomes Classic Party Rentals Members*

  

09/24  >09/24/09 *Arizona Supermarket Workers Reject Company Proposals, Grant Local 99 Authority to Call a Strike*

  

09/18  >09/18/09 *Acme Workers Union Wins Contract*

  

09/16  >09/16/09 *President Obama's Speech at the 2009 AFL-CIO Convention  - Part One and Part Two and Part Three and Part Four

  

09/16  >09/16/09 *Colorado Workers to Begin Contract Voting*

  

09/15  >09/15/09 *How Can Labor Get Stronger in the Recession?*

  

09/14  >09/14/09 *See New Link to the Kaiser Labor Management Partnership web site below*

  

09/14  >09/14/09 *Acrimony Left on the Shelf for Colorado Grocers' Union*

  

09/10  >09/10/09 *Union Membership in California Increases Despite Recession*

  

09/08  >09/08/09 *350 Safeway Workers Locked Out*

  

08/21  >08/21/09 *Hot Seat: Bob Filner on Health Care Reform*

  

08/10  >08/10/09 *Tyson and BPI Workers Vote In Favor of the UFCW New Contract*

  

07/17  >07/17/09 *New Study: Union Workers have Better Family-Friendly Benefits Than Their Non-union Counterparts*

  

07/17  >07/17/09 *Obama 'Going to Bat' for Unions in Trade Accords*

  

07/16  >07/16/09 *Safeway, King Soopers contracts extended*

  

07/16  >07/16/09 *Union workers approve Acme contract*

  

07/15  >07/15/09 *Fresh & Easy suppliers' workers expected to cast union vote*

  

07/13  >07/13/09 *Safeway, Union resume Colorado contract talks Tuesday*

  

06/24  >06/24/09 *Acme and its union are nearing a showdown*

  

06/19  >06/19/09 *Acme workers to vote on contract next week*

  

06/08  >06/08/09 *What's good for grocery clerks is good for America*

  

05/11  >05/11/09*Safeway, Colorado Workers Agree to Continue Labor Talks*

  

05/06  >05/06/09 Former CEO of Wal-Mart, Now Albertsons' CEO

  

04/29  >4/29/09 ATTENTION Indemnity PPO Medical Plan Participants - the HRQ filing has been extended until June 1, 2009 http://www.2009HRQ.com

  

04/14  >04/14/09 180-plus Wal-Mart Workers Gain UFCW Canada Union Contract in Quebec

  

03/20  >3/20/09 Obama Administration Backs Workers' Suit Against Wal-Mart

  

03/17  >3/17/09 ATTENTION Indemnity PPO Medical Plan Participants - Fill out the HRQ by May 1, 2009 http://www.2009HRQ.com

  

03/17  >3/17/09 Cesar Chavez March on March 31st

  

03/17  >3/17/09 Amber Dubois Missing

  

02/22  >2/22/09 Tesco admits: We got it wrong in US

  

02/20  >2/20/09 Wal-Mart settles trucker discrimination lawsuit

  

01/30  >1/30/09 - Restoring Middle Class Essential to Economic Growth, statement by Joe Hansen, UFCW International President

  

01/30  >1/30/09 - Obama Touts Middle Class Task Force Led by Biden

  

01/26  >1/26/09 - *The Union Way Up* - America, and its faltering economy, need unions to restore prosperity to the middle class.

  

01/22  >1/22/09 - CANADA SUPREME COURT HEARS WAL-MART CASE

  

01/20  >1/20/09 UFCW Hosts Obama Inaugural Breakfast

  
2008  
12/11 >12/11/08 WORKERS AT THE WORLD’S LARGEST MEATPACKING PLANT CHOOSE UNION
REPRESENTATION		  
12/9   >12/9/08 WEYBURN WAL-MART WORKERS UNIONIZE  
11/20 >11/20/08 SMITHFIELD WORKERS TO VOTE ON UNION  
11/20 >11/20/08 HYRUM JBS/SWIFT WORKERS STAND UP FOR VOICE ON THE JOB  
11/20 >11/20/08 HOLIDAY CANNED FOOD DRIVE  
11/03 >11/3/08  More Retailers to Unionize Under Obama: Organizer  
10/28 >10/28/08 Smithfield and UFCW Settle  
10/28 >10/28/08 Grocery Officials Plead Not Guilty in Labor Case  
10/23 >UFCW 2008 Election Endorsements  
10/15 >10-15-08 Official Presidential Debate Viewing at UFCW Local 135 Hall  
09/25 > 9-25-08 Southern California KAISER Pharmacy & Clinical Laboratory Scientists Overwhelmingly Ratify 2008 Wage & Retiree Medical Re-opener  
09/19 >9-19-08 *EIGHT RALPHS OFFICIALS INDICTED IN FRAUD THAT EXTENDED 2003-2004 LABOR DISPUTE  
08/15 >8-15-08 Quebec Wal-Mart gets union deal.  
08/15 >8-15-08 Unions Seek Probe of Wal-Mart Over Election Law  
08/13 >8-13-08 FRESH & EASY COMMUNITY RALLY - Help Us Stop Tesco's Fresh & Easy!  
08/01  >8-1-08 Wal-Mart Warns of Democratic Win  
07/18 >Rite Aid contract was ratified by an overwhelming majority.  
07/18 >National Beef contract was ratified by an overwhelming majority.  
07/10 >CONGRATULATIONS to the Teamsters on getting their 1st contract at the Oceanside Coca-Cola facility.  
07/07 >7 Southern California Local Unions & Rite Aid reach a tentative agreement.  (Contract Vote details)  
07/07 >Tentative Agreement with National Beef (Voting details)  
07/03 >Support the Teamsters... Boycott Coca Cola Products Starting 4th of July Weekend  
06/25 >Barack Obama Urges Sir Terry Leahy to Talk to US Unions  
06/25 >The Two Faces of Tesco  
06/25 >Rite Aid Negotiations Update - 6/25/08  
06/20 >Rite Aid Negotiations Update 6/20/08  
06/16 >Tesco to Ease Fresh & Easy Concerns with new opening June 16, 2008  
6/10   >CVS was ratified by all seven (7) Southern California UFCW Locals.  The effective date of the contract is July 13, 2008.  Please refer to the CVS handout for information regarding the changes to the contract and effective date for benefit improvements.  
6/5     >US Trade Union Calls on Obama to Back Anti-Tesco Campaign  
5/30   > 7 Southern California local unions reach a tentative agreement with CVS Drug Click here for VOTING details  
5/18   >Unions boost wages most for lowest-paid workers  
5/2     >Beginning Tuesday, May 6th, North County Satellite office will be open three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday & Friday) from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed 12p-1p for lunch).  

4/30   >Why Wal-Mart Does Not Strengthen Our Economy

  

4/29   >Emergency CVS & RITE AID Negotiations Update and Strategy Meeting

  

4/25   >Obama Attends UFCW Conference

  

4/17   >Kroger workers in Louisville ratify contract

  

4/22   >April 22, 2008 Membership Meeting location has been changed to Local 135's San Marcos office, 323 A South Rancho Santa Fe Rd.

  

4/2     >Giant Foods workers vote not to strike

  

4/1     >Vancouver Grocery Workers to hold strike vote

  

4/1     >Safeway Employees Approve Labor Contract

  

3/30   >Tesco puts brakes on U.S. rollout

  

3/18   >Lucky contract was ratified

  

3/18   >Lucky Contract Vote

  

3/13   >Tesco makes first change to Fresh & Easy team

  

3/11   >Rite Aid Rally

  

3/5     >Burd projects big gains in Safeway profits

  

2/29   >Rite Aid Member Letter

  

2/27   >Rite Aid Radio Spot

  

2/26   >Political Workshop Event

  

2/26   >Union Tribune Rally

  

2/14   >UFCW ENDORSES BARACK OBAMA

  

Feb.   >Membership and Density Up in 2007

  

1/30   >Grocery wars begin: U.K.'s Fresh & Easy announces 18 new Bay  Area locations

  

1/28    >Labor Council Rally

  

1/27    >Wal-Mart Distribution Center Construction Faces Delays

  

1/25    >Union Membership Increases in 2007

  

1/25    >Tesco's Fresh & Easy Stores

  

1/25    >Tesco fined for selling out-of-date food

  

1/4      >Lucky Negotiations Update

  

1/1      >Vons Vacation Pay Policy

  

Contact Us