IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JOHN T. NICCOLLAI JULY 10, 2025

REPORT ON THIRD MAJOR EMPLOYER CONTRACT  NEGOTIATION SESSION

President Niccollai reported on the third negotiating meeting concerning a new contract with ShopRite, Stop and Shop, Kings, Foodtown, DeCiccos and other independent employers which was held today, July 10, 2025, at the Best Western hotel in Fairfield, New Jersey. 

At this third meeting, the Union discussed the fact that, notwithstanding the Company and Union professionals working on numbers for healthcare and pension plan increases, the passage of President Trump’s tax bill could muddy the waters.  We may now see tens of millions of people lose Medicaid, becoming uninsured, and thereby causing the costs of insurance for those covered to rise considerably above initial projections.  The Company and Union professionals are now reexamining their initial figures relating to healthcare increases.

The Company and Union professionals are attempting to finalize the projected cost increase to fund the pension plan moving into the future.  We could not engage in a discussion of a wage package since welfare and pension are still undetermined.

President Niccollai did, however, let the employers know that unless we are successful in achieving meaningful wage increases, it would be impossible to reach a settlement.  The employers countered that argument with the fact that they pay substantial amounts of money for both full-time and part-time benefit programs based on hourly rates.  These costs are something not paid by non-union employers.

Although the Union and the Employers did not get into the specific costs of the benefit programs, Members should be aware that, for a Full-Time Member, we are talking in excess of $18.00 per hour.  Obviously, the cost for Part-Time Members is far less but still substantial in terms of total cost.

Members should be aware that, in addition to wages paid, money paid toward contract benefits and emoluments are a form of additional earnings and do constitute substantial costs to the Companies.

We have put management on notice that we are not willing, under any circumstances, to give up these benefits and emoluments including but not limited to holiday pay, vacation pay, a non-contributory health and welfare plan, a non-contributory pension plan, sick days, rest periods and Sunday premium pay.

The next negotiating session is scheduled for Thursday, July 24, 2025.