This post has been updated with a correction.
Members of Teamsters Local 118 have again rejected a contract offer from Wegmans.
Approximately 900 Wegmans truck drivers and warehouse employees are represented by the union. On September 30, the union members rejected what Wegmans called its final offer. But company and union officials agreed to meet again on October 11, and on October 12 they had a proposal that union officials agreed to present to the membership.
A press release from Wegmans says that the company’s offer included a $1,000 payment for full-time employees and pay increases totaling 18 percent over six years. Union members would also be moved into the Wegmans retirement plan. And Wegmans promised to pay millions of dollars into a union pension fund, which officials say would protect the benefits that employees are already entitled to.
The retirement proposal has been the sticking point. Union members have been reluctant to leave the defined benefit union pension plan for the Wegmans plan. The company’s plan operates more like a 401(k) or IRA, where the company and employee contribute to it over time, and the employee draws the balance down in retirement.
The Wegmans release didn’t indicate a next step. But the union’s September 30 contract rejection also included a vote authorizing a strike.
“For months we have bargained in good faith, and frankly, we are frustrated and deeply disappointed, ” said Mike Cullen, Wegmans’ vice president of distribution, in the press release. “But we have prepared for every possible outcome. Our stores will remain open for business without interruption.”
This article appears in Oct 30 – Nov 5, 2013.
18% is a six year raise and that is the only money some of these guys will see from their pension. There is no moving over to Wegmans Retirement it is starting over with Wegmans Retirement. The only ones talking strike are Wegmans themselves. None of the Union members have said strike. The rejection of any offer gives the Union that right so this was not a special vote to also strike.
It was just not the issue of 18% over six years, the wording in the contract needs to be redefined . It’s also about Wegmans taking work from us and giving it to outside vendors, taking delays away which means loss of money, there are times when you break down and your stuck for hours we would normally get paid road delay, or going to pickup a backhaul and having to wait hours on end for the load which we would normally get paid for. Lets not forget the middle man nothing in the contract for them! The Wegmans family wants to take money from us , would they like it if someone took money from them? The Pension is huge for a lot of member’s who have put the time and money in and have 25-29 years in and get nothing! is that right?
Karrie Formicola,
Thanks for your comments. I fixed the post so it includes the correct info for the proposed raise.
Go to work and stop your crying. If you don’t like what Wegmans is offering, go to work for someone else. That is what is great about America. Freedom.