Contract Negotiation Updates

Update: July 12, 2022 

We are thrilled to share that we have reached agreement on a two-year contract with UE Local 203, our employee union. This process has been in place at the Co-op for almost 20 years since our employees first became unionized in 2003. The negotiation process offers an opportunity for Management and Union teams to collaboratively work toward an agreement that best represents all employees and is in line with Co-op values. 

This year’s process began in May and culminated in a two-year agreement that was reached in the early morning hours of June 29th. Subsequently, the Union’s membership voted to approve the new contract followed by ratification from City Market’s Board of Directors on Monday, July 11.  This new agreement is effective as of July 1, 2022 and will be in place until June 30, 2024. 

Some highlights from this agreement include: 

  • Starting wages at or above $15.50 per hour 
  • On average, staff are receiving an increase in wages of $2.75 per hour over the previous contract 
  • Introduction of a new Paid Parental Leave benefit  
  • Additional time and a half holiday on Juneteenth  
  • Employee discount increased to 20% storewide excluding alcohol with additional discount on select items while working
  • Additional day of Bereavement Leave
  • Increased employer contribution for charitable giving 
  • Increased bicycle commuting reimbursement to encourage sustainable modes of transportation  
  • Expanded opportunities for paid staff volunteering 

In addition to these changes, we also upheld our generous healthcare contribution, 6% 401(k) match and 4-6 weeks of Paid Time Off.  

Thank you to our Management and Union teams who spent many hours collectively at the negotiating table to ensure we reached an agreement that all of our employees can be proud of. 

Update: May 4, 2022

City Market began negotiations with our employee Union (UE Local 203) to come to agreement on a new contract today. Our current contract which has been in place since the fall of 2019 (retroactive to July 1, 2019) remains in place until June 30 of this year. As discussions progress, we will be updating this page. You can also find information about the process below.

Disclaimer: City Market, ORC has a legal duty to bargain in good faith with UE Local 203, the representative for its collective bargaining unit employees. This duty encompasses many obligations, including a duty not to bypass the union and deal directly with employees represented by UE Local 203. City Market, ORC continues to bargain in good faith with UE Local 203.

FAQs

What are “contract negotiations”?

The contract negotiation process offers an opportunity for Management and Union teams to collaboratively work toward an agreement that best represents all employees and is in line with Co-op values. Since 2003, all wages and benefits have been mutually agreed upon by both parties. The negotiation process offers an opportunity to revisit these articles on a consistent basis depending on the length of the contract. This process has been in place here at the Co-op for roughly 15 years since we first became unionized in 2003.

What does the contract cover?

Our contract is a mutually agreed upon document that outlines wages and benefits for Union employees along with a wide range of other employee policies. Our current contract includes 47 articles, compensation schedules for each fiscal year covered in the agreement, and four side letters.

Who is responsible for finalizing the contract?

Select members of City Market’s Management team work with members of the Union (selected by their membership) throughout the contract negotiations process. The process culminates in a Memorandum of Agreement that is then ratified by both the Union’s membership and City Market’s Board of Directors.

How many people does City Market, Onion River Co-op employ?

Across our stores, City Market currently employs over 300 people.

How many of those people are members of the union (collective bargaining unit)?

Just under 80% of our staff are part of the collective bargaining unit.

What Union represents City Market employees?

City Market staff are represented by United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (Local 203).

How long has City Market, Onion River Co-op been unionized?

City Market has had an employee union since 2003.

When does the current contract expire?

Our current contract is in place until June 30, 2022.

How long is a contract usually in place for?

Typically, our contract is negotiated every 2-3 years, though there have been a handful of one-year contracts since 2003.