Some Progress, but More Work Needed Plus How to Make Your Voice Heard

Over the past two days we met with Ralphs and Albertsons for our third bargaining session. We’ve had some good conversations with the companies on language changes and were able to reach tentative agreements on a job bidding process and just cause protections around demotions as well as 12-hour holiday pay for 12-hour pharmacists.

But we’re still far apart on a lot of issues – especially since we’re still waiting for Albertsons and Ralphs to respond on very important issues like wages, benefits and ensuring we have the appropriate staffing levels. It’s clear that Ralphs and Albertsons need to feel the pressure from us and our patients, community supporters and co-workers in the front of the store. 

What can we do to make our voices heard?

Join our campaign kick-off press conference on March 2, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Ralphs on 3410 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90020. Bring your co-workers, friends and family! Talk to your union representative or bargaining committee members to make a plan to attend.

Wear your union buttons and lanyards to show your solidarity and power. If you haven’t received your button or lanyard, reach out to your steward or representative.

The contract we come away with at the end of this campaign will be determined by how much we all get involved. We’re all burnt out and fatigued, and this puts our patients at risk. These contract negotiations are where we can fix that. Get involved. Join events. Talk to your patients. Show Albertsons and Ralphs that we’re standing together to get the contract we deserve and our patients are relying on.

We have another bargaining session scheduled for March 20, 2026, where we’ll be joined by a federal mediator. We’ll reach out with another update after that session.

If you have any questions about bargaining or if there is anything else we can do to support you, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Bargaining Committee Members, Union Representatives or Stewards. 

In Solidarity,

Your UFCW Pharmacist Bargaining Committee