June 27, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jessica Hayssen, 651-261-8559
Minneapolis, MN–Grocery workers who are members of UFCW Local 663 were slated to walk off the job Thursday morning at Lunds & Byerlys have reached a tentative agreement that would provide significant raises for both full-time and part-time positions by Fall of 2024, and secures worker-driven healthcare.
The bargaining committee is currently organizing informational meetings for members to review the tentative agreement and plan for a ratification vote on Saturday, July 1.
“We won a lot of the raises and benefits that we’re fighting for,” said Sarah Dike [pronounced D.K], cheese specialist at the Maple Grove Lunds & Byerlys, “I look forward to talking more with my coworkers at the informational meetings we are holding so that we all understand what we will vote on later this week. ”
UFCW 663 members continued working since their union contract–which covered 2,500 workers at 22 Lunds & Byerlys stores–expired on March 7th. Members voted on Friday, June 23 to authorize an unfair labor practice strike that was scheduled for June 29, 30 and July 1. The strike was called off late Monday night when the parties reached tentative agreement.
“Our members kept Minnesotans fed during the pandemic, even in the most uncertain of times. They took the strength and courage they used during those times and stood united to win contracts for their coworkers that reward the sacrifices they made, and sets them up to build even better lives in the future,” said UFCW Local 663 President Rena Wong. “The bargaining committee believes that this tentative agreement respects, protects, and pays our members fairly. We look forward to sharing the agreement with the thousands of UFCW Local 663 members, and continuing to welcome new members who are working to organize their own workplaces.”
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United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663 is a union of more than 17,000 hard-working essential workers in retail, meat packing and processing, food preparation and manufacturing and healthcare in Minnesota led by President Rena Wong. We strive to improve the lives of our members and of all working families by fighting for economic, political, and social justice in our workplaces and communities. Local 663 is part of the 1.3 million-member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.