IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JOHN T. NICCOLLAI THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025

REPORT ON FOURTH MAJOR EMPLOYER CONTRACT NEGOTIATION SESSION

President Niccollai reported that the fourth negotiating session between the Union and ShopRite, Stop and Shop, Kings, Foodtown, DeCiccos and other independent employers was held today, July 24, 2025, at the Best Western hotel in Fairfield, New Jersey.  At this point in our negotiations, we are honing in on those areas of greatest concern and strongest disagreement.

It is obvious that the employers are pushing back hard on the funding of our healthcare and pension plans.  Several members of the management team indicated that we are among only several organizations that do not co-pay for their healthcare benefits.  In fact, we were referred to as a “dinosaur.”  My comment is “Beware of the dinosaur.”

Obviously, one of the most important issues in these negotiations is the wage package.  Your Union indicated that we have seen substantial increases in our living expenses and we need meaningful wage increases to stay abreast of what is happening in our national economy.  Management responded by indicating that our benefit packages, holidays, personal days, sick time, vacation time and the related expenses of running a business in general costs the employers several thousand dollars per month per employee.  They asked us to be aware of these business-related expenses before seeking costly wage increases.  Your Union’s response related to the fact that we are currently having difficulties paying our bills and providing for ourselves and our families.

As your President, I want all of our Members who are affected by these negotiations to understand that we are engaged in the most difficult task of putting together a contract that meets our needs and is worthy of ratification.  Our Union staff and Union workers who serve on the Contract Committee will leave no stone unturned to achieve a successful resolution of this matter.  We thank you for your support and we ask that you let management know that you are on board with our efforts in achieving a contract which meets our needs and goals.  We will continue to keep the Membership informed.