We’re Still Waiting…for a Wage Proposal from Ralphs and Albertsons
Today we met with Albertsons and Ralphs for the first time in over a month and while we were able to confirm that pharmacists will continue to get the health benefits that were negotiated in the clerk’s agreement, they barely moved on the issues important to us.
This is extremely disappointing, as it’s clear patients, and pharmacists, deserve movement on staffing. At a press conference on March 2, 2026, pharmacists released new survey results from grocery pharmacy patients examining wait times, service conditions, and medication safety. Results of the survey show that:
- Nearly 59% say lines have increased at their pharmacy in the past four years
- Almost half (48%) report waiting more than 10 minutes for service
- About one in nine patients (11.9%) say they have received a medication error
You can read more about this survey here: Patients Sound the Alarm
The companies have committed to provide economic proposals at our next bargaining sessions on April 6 and 7, 2026.
If Albertsons and Ralphs are going to get serious about negotiating for a fair contract that delivers fair and competitive wages, secure retirement benefits, safe staffing levels and sustainable workloads, it’s critical that the companies hear from every pharmacist.
That’s why Union Representatives will be circulating a petition in every pharmacy in the coming weeks. Sign the petition, because now is the time to ensure your voice is heard.
Continue to wear your union buttons to show your solidarity and power. The more you participate, stay involved in bargaining by joining calls, and stand together, the more power you have at the table to negotiate for the contract you deserve.
More bargaining sessions are scheduled for April 6 and 7, 2026, and we’ll send another update after those meetings.
In the meantime, if you have any questions about bargaining, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Union Representative.
Lastly, UFCW has a website for our professional division: https://www.ufcwprofessionaldivsion.org/. Visit this site to read the minutes from our Professional Relations Committee meetings with the companies, file a complaint against your pharmacy’s non-compliance with California’s pharmacy laws, and more.