Supermarket workers overwhelmingly approve new union contract

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1079027&srvc=rss

By Associated Press
Sunday, March 9, 2008

CROMWELL, Conn. - A union official says Shaw’s supermarket workers in Connecticut have overwhelmingly ratified a four-year contract, guaranteeing wage increases and a bonus intended to cover rising health insurance costs.

Workers at Shaw’s 21 stores in Connecticut on Sunday voted 300-1 to approve the contract, said Brian Petronella, president of Local 371 of the United Food and Commercial Workers.

The pact maintains the workers’ health insurance and pension plan, he said.

Full-time workers will get a raise of $70 a week over the duration of the contract and part-time workers will receive $1 dollar an hour over the four-year agreement, he said.

A Shaw’s spokeswoman did not immediately comment.