Here are some frequently asked questions which have come up so far:

The company told me their benefit plan mirrors the gold plan benefits, is this true?
No, the company has made it clear, their benefit plan eliminates the sick leave established under the Gold Plan and gets rid of benefits for new hires working less than 30 hours per week, which is practically all new hires. The company is not "mirroring" as they eliminate benefits. In conversations with non-Union managers and workers in other states, we know the company plan isn't as good, and if history is any indicator, it will continue to get worse. In addition to not "mirroring" the Gold Plan, the company eliminated the Platinum Plan and retiree coverage. 

Rite Aid told me I can still use the sick leave accrued under the prior benefit plan, is this true?
No, the company eliminated benefit coverage under the Union plan and stopped making contributions for hours worked by active members working at Rite Aid on December 31, 2019. These contributions are used to fund benefits under the UFCW & Employer benefit plan. All benefits, including sick leave, are currently through the company plan. 

Rite Aid told me the new company plan is temporary and there will be a new enrollment period coming soon.
We have heard this as well, under the company plan, their enrollment and eligibility requirements are not the same as what members had under the UFCW & Employer Benefit Trust and the Gold Plan benefits. The companies claim of "mirroring benefits" is a lie, which may make them liable for any difference between the two plans. Additionally, we’ve heard deductibles may double. After the next open enrollment period the company may apply the full annual deductible, which is double the deductible applied in January of this year.

Are COBRA payments an option to keep my prior benefits in place?
Making COBRA payments to continue benefits through the Trust Fund is not a viable option. Rite Aid stopped making contributions to the benefit plan for hours worked by active members in Northern California. The company is doing the same to Local 5 members in the Bay Area effective March 1. These contributions are what fund the payment of benefits and claims. Rite Aid is doing this intentionally to make the UFCW Northern California and Drug Employers Health and Welfare Trust Fund unable to pay claims and make the plan insolvent.