16 Hours, No Breakthrough

Sixteen hours at the table produced no breakthrough, but it did clarify where the gap is. We want to be direct with you about what’s on the table and what’s holding up progress.

Your Total Compensation Package

• Wages are the largest piece of a total economic package that also includes your healthcare and a new Company investment in your supplemental pension. All three are funded by the same Company investment in you.
• Our goal is to invest in market-competitive wage increases that reflects the expertise you bring, keeps Ralphs competitive for the pharmacists we want to hire and keep, and is sustainable for the long-term success of our pharmacies.

Understanding Our Investment in Your Future
Your total compensation is more than the number on your paycheck. Two of the biggest investments Ralphs makes in you, healthcare and pension, work quietly in the background, protecting your income and your retirement without ever appearing as a line on your check stub.

Healthcare. Pharmacists receive the healthcare benefits bargained during Ralphs retail clerk contract negotiations. That coverage, and the Company investment behind it, carries over to you because of previously negotiated contract language. For 20 years, Company investments have absorbed rising healthcare premium costs, enabling you to keep more of every paycheck in your pocket instead of going out to cover your premium.

Pension. The Union proposed that Ralphs invest in supplemental pension benefits in addition to the legacy pension benefit we continue to make contributions on. We agreed to fund this Union priority, even though it is not customary for an employer to invest in this type of benefit.

These commitments represent real money. They are substantial, and they are locked into the current offer.

Closing the Gap
In simple terms, bargaining involves the Company and Union negotiating how the Company will direct its investment in your total contract package. This includes wages, healthcare and retirement benefits. Reaching a fair agreement means balancing the Company’s investment in healthcare and pension with direct wage increases so the overall contract rewards hard work and supports the long-term success of our pharmacies.

The wage expectations at the table don’t account for the Union-identified priorities that the Company agreed to fund. Those commitments require substantial resources and are already built into the current offer.

We believe a deal is in reach. If you agree, encourage your Union bargaining committee to come prepared to close the gap on September 28.

Visit this website for more bargaining dates or see your store leader.
Our pharmacies remain open; pharmacists should continue reporting to work as scheduled.
Ralphs is preparing responsibly for potential disruption, so patients continue to have access to care.