03-07-2025
Nearly 3,000 Cub Foods workers win new contract with pension contributions, raises
Nearly 3,000 Cub Foods workers win new contract with pension contributions, raises originally appeared on Bring Me The News.
After contentious negotiations that included unfair labor practice charges and the threat of a strike, hundreds of unionized Cub Foods workers across the Twin Cities have a new contract.
UFCW Local 663 announced this week that it has ratified a three-year contract with higher wages for all employees, increased hours for part-time workers, and "significant investment" in worker pensions. The union represents nearly 3,000 grocery store workers at Cub locations operated by United Natural Foods (UNFI) and Haug's.
The contract includes employer pension contributions of 8.8% year over year and wage increases of 9.5% to 13% for full-time workers over the course of the contract. That's a $3.15 an hour increase for workers employed by Haug's and a $3 increase for those with UNFI.
Workers at UNFI's Cub stores will also have limitations on involuntary store transfers, as well as improved scheduling protections.
'Members organized, fought for, and won a contract that raises standards for essential grocery workers. These workers had incredible support from customers and leaders like Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Senator Bernie Sanders,' UFCW Local 663 President Rena Wong said in a statement. 'Together, we are ensuring good jobs for all Minnesotans.'
As part of the agreement, UFCW will drop the unfair labor practice charges that were filed during the negotiations. Those charges were the subject of a letter sent to the companies from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in June.
UNFI said in a statement to Bring Me The News: "We are pleased to have reached a new collective bargaining agreement with UFCW Local 663. The new agreement includes strong wage increases, continued market leading union health care and significant increases in our contributions to the union's pension plan, while ensuring Cub has the flexibility to continue to meet the needs of the thousands of customers we serve each day."
Approximately 2,500 of the unionized Cub workers are employed by UNFI.
Earlier this year, UFCW was negotiating new deals for workers with seven grocery companies around the Twin Cities.
A contract was ratified in May with Lunds & Byerlys, Jerry's Enterprises, Kowalski's, and Radermacher's Shakopee Cub. A new deal was ratified with Knowlan's Festival Foods in story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
