St. Albans and Waterbury Facilities to Benefit from Health Insurance, Wage Increases, and Improved Job Security.
More than 300 employees at Ben & Jerry’s production facilities in St. Albans and Waterbury, Vermont, have overwhelmingly ratified their first union contract. The workers, members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 371, voted in favor of the agreement after a lengthy organizing effort and months of negotiations.
The three-year contract brings significant improvements for the workers, including access to comprehensive health insurance, guaranteed wage increases, and enhanced job security. Jeff Johnson, a member of the St. Albans bargaining committee with 23 years of experience at Ben & Jerry’s, expressed pride in the union’s victory, emphasizing the positive impact on his colleagues’ pay and benefits.
“I’m so proud of my co-workers for sticking together and demanding better,” said Johnson. “The union difference is clear. Joining UFCW Local 371 will make a huge difference for us. With union health insurance and consistent wages, my co-workers will see hundreds more in their paychecks each month. This contract also secures our retirement and paid time off, giving us the stability we need during uncertain times.”
Bernie Sweet, Jr., a bargaining committee member from the Waterbury plant with seven years of seniority, also celebrated the new contract, calling it a step toward restoring a positive work environment and meeting company goals.
“After a long organizing campaign and tough negotiations, we’re moving in the right direction,” Sweet said. “We’re hoping to recapture a time when employees were happy, and production goals were being exceeded.”
Key Terms of the New Contract
The new contract includes several key provisions designed to improve workers’ benefits and work-life balance. Highlights include:
Health Insurance: Workers will join the UFCW’s health plan, which covers medical, prescription, dental, and optical care. The plan offers significant cost savings, with workers saving up to $8,000 annually on premiums.
Wage Increases: The contract guarantees a 14% wage increase over three years, with a 16% raise to be implemented by April 27, 2024.
Shift Flexibility: A shift schedule adjustment, moving towards a hybrid eight and 12-hour shift pattern, will give workers more flexibility to manage family commitments alongside their work at the plant.
401(k) Plan: The contract ensures the protection of workers’ 401(k) plans, with a 9% company match.
Paid Leave: Workers will receive six months of paid short-term disability, an additional six months of long-term disability, and paid parental leave.
Bonuses: Longevity-based ratification bonuses of up to $2,000 will be provided to employees.
Union Recognition and Background
The workers at Ben & Jerry’s Waterbury and St. Albans plants achieved union recognition earlier this year through a card check process, which was facilitated by a global agreement between Ben & Jerry’s parent company, Unilever, and the UFCW. This agreement ensures union neutrality and card check recognition at all Unilever-owned facilities.
UFCW Local 371, which represents workers at both Vermont plants, is part of UFCW International, the largest private-sector union in the United States. UFCW International represents 1.2 million workers across industries such as grocery, food processing, health care, and retail.
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