Amce workers ratify contract

Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776, ratified a new contract on July 15th at a meeting in Philadelphia, at the Spectrum. They had been working under an extension of a contract which expired in February, of 2008. The major obstacles had been health care and pensions. Initiating an offense on June 10th, Acme issued what it called a final, best offer, threatened to unilaterally terminate the contract on July 10th and walked away from negotiations, leaving workers in uncertainty, facing the prospects of either a lock out or a strike. Members responded at a June 24th meeting at the Spectrum, rejecting the ultimatum, by a 19 to 1 margin, with more than 3,000 attending. In a phone call on July 16th, John Meyerson, of the Local 1776 Executive Board, said more than 98% of those at the meeting voted in favor of the contract. He stated the agreement keeps healthcare protected and pensions secure. He credits both the unity of the membership and community support, for the success. The contract covers 4,000 workers in 40 Acme stores, in the greater Philadelphia area. UFCW Local 1776 represents 21,000 workers regionally, in various occupations.