In the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area about 28,000 United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) represented employees can breathe a sigh of relief having ratified what union leaders are calling one of the better labor contracts in the grocery sector. The contract is with Giant and Safeway, two of the biggest grocery chains in the D.C./Baltimore area. Both companies have stated that they hope that the new contract shows the respect and honor the company has for its workforce while maintaining the businesses? competitiveness. The agreement retains healthcare for part-time workers and retirees. Although new hires? benefits will be much more limited. Under the new contract, wages will increase by between $0.15 and $0.35 per hour.
See "Giant and Safeway workers ratify three-year contract", Loraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, December 17, 2013