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For Release: Immediate
Grand Rapids
October 12, 2007

UFCW 951 Members Ratify New Contract with Meijer

By a substantial majority, members of United Food and Commercial Workers
(UFCW) Local 951 have approved a new four and one-half year contract with Meijer.
9,282 (80%) voted in favor of the new agreement, 1,961 (17%) voted against. 352 (3%)
ballots were void and zero were challenged.

“We believe this contract reflects the needs of our members and those of Meijer
and its customers in a time of intense competition and economic challenge in Michigan.
It offers several wage increases throughout the life of the agreement for virtually all 951
represented Meijer workers. It protects a defined benefit pension plan for both active and
future Meijer workers. It shortens the grievance process so that workplace problems can
be fixed faster,” commented UFCW 951 President Marv Russow.

“The passage of this contract reflects extensive input from the UFCW 951
membership at Meijer. We entered bargaining well prepared. We had a committed rank
and file bargaining committee representing a cross section of the membership. The union
and the company approached these talks with a mutually respectful and constructive
attitude,” Russow added.

The tentative agreement was reached on September 28. Informational meetings
for UFCW 951 Meijer members about the new contract were held throughout the state.
Ratification voting took place by a mail ballot.

UFCW 951 represents 30,000 members who work across the state of Michigan at
Meijer, Harding’s, Plumb’s, Polly’s, Kroger, Kessel, Rite Aid, Knouse Foods, Fry Krisp
and the Orchard Grove Extended Care Center.
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