Giant, Safeway Workers Ratify Union Contracts, Avoid Strike

Giant Food and Safeway union workers ratified their new labor contracts, officials for Giant and the United Food and Commercial Workers say.

Though the union, United Food and Commercial Workers, secured a tentative agreement with Safeway, Giant was much slower to reach an agreement, only doing so Tuesday evening. Had a deal not been reached Friday, union workers could have gone on strike.

“We are very pleased that our associates ratified the contract agreement reached by Giant Food and UFCW Local 400 and Local 27,” Giant Food President Gordon Reid said in a statement. “Throughout negotiations, our goal was to reach an agreement that ensures our associates continue to be among the highest compensated grocery workers in the Baltimore-Washington area, while also positioning Giant Food to remain competitive in a challenging marketplace. We are pleased the contract achieves this goal and recognizes the outstanding contributions and hard work of our associates.”

Safeway officials, in a statement, said the new contract "recognizes the importance and strength of our employees."

"Safeway works hard to provide fair living wages, health insurance and retirement benefits to our dedicated team members," officials said. "It is a delicate balance to provide great packages for our employees while providing a great shopping value to our customers. We believe in doing both, and that is what often distinguishes Safeway in this market."

Union officials said in a message to members the new deals include higher starting pay, more frequent raises dependent on months of service (instead of hours worked), no health premium increases and a secured pension.