What You Should Know: Pharmacy Negotiations Continue

The big picture: Ralphs and UFCW SoCal Locals have been bargaining in good faith to reach the right agreement that invests in pharmacists with higher wages, affordable high-quality healthcare and secure pension benefits.

How we got here:

• The Company and Union began negotiations in January.
• Since then, the parties have met multiple times and exchanged proposals on wages, staffing, healthcare, retirement, and contract language.
• Several tentative agreements on contract language have already been reached, including improvements to holiday pay for 12-hour pharmacists.
• In April, the Company improved its initial wage offer to include a $3.00 per hour increase over three years, plus an additional $0.50 per hour for department heads.
• Wage investment discussions are continuing with the assistance of a federal mediator.

Our commitment: We value the important role pharmacists play in caring for our patients and communities.

Our goal is to reach the right agreement that:

• Supports excellent patient care
• Invests in our associates
• Provides competitive wages
• Maintains low-cost, high-quality healthcare
• Preserves a secure pension for retirement
• Supports the long-term success of our pharmacies

About the bargaining schedule: Negotiations are scheduled to resume on June 30 and July 1.

Bargaining dates are set based on the availability of both parties, the federal mediator, and the complexity of the issues being discussed. Reaching the right agreement takes time, thoughtful discussion, and continued engagement at the bargaining table.

Why it matters: The most productive path forward is to continue working through the issues at the bargaining table. We have made meaningful progress, and economic proposals require careful review and analysis. Bargaining is a process, and no outside activity can guarantee a particular outcome. In fact, actions that create uncertainty or disrupt the business can make it harder to maintain momentum toward an agreement.

We remain committed to bargaining in good faith and working toward an agreement that recognizes the important contributions of our pharmacists and supports the care they provide every day.

Thank you for your professionalism and for the exceptional care you provide to our patients.