As Rite Aid continues to try deceiving and dividing members, nothing in the company's recent proposals has changed. The company’s claim of mirroring existing benefits is false. They want to take complete control of member benefits while eliminating some of the existing benefits for new hires and retirees. This will ultimately pit new members against current members. Rite Aid knows new employees will eventually outnumber current employees, and future contract proposals will continue to get worse.

Rite Aid has already proposed eliminating some benefits. Once they have administrative control, they will eliminate more. Historically, the company has done this in locations back east, and members working there have regretted losing their Union benefit plans. Your union works diligently to bargain a contract settlement without a strike. It’s the employer’s unreasonable demands in negotiations and unfair labor practices which could force members to take action.

Am I allowed to continue working during a strike?

Crossing a picket line to work undermines the bargaining process and prolongs negotiations. If a picket line becomes necessary, we encourage members to walk the picket line where they get strike pay. We also help members find work in neighboring stores where business picks up as customers typically honor a picket line, especially when you're fighting to keep existing benefits.

What steps do I need to take to work and not be fined?

It's a common tactic for companies to try to divide and conquer when it comes to bargaining a contract with Union members. If someone becomes a "non-member," they still pay dues, but they don't get to vote on their contract. When the company tries to trick members into doing this, they are attempting to eliminate the members' right to vote, thus changing who is allowed to vote when a contract settlement is reached.

The fact is, UFCW 8-Golden State has never fined a member for crossing a picket line. We can't speak for other unions, but it's just not what we do.

Will I be treated differently if I work during a strike?

While the company's message of prohibiting unlawful discrimination is true, I'm sure you have seen many companies break the rules and laws quite regularly. Let's not sugar coat it, crossing and working behind a picket line does create animosity with your coworkers. By crossing a sanctioned picket line, you're choosing to stand with the company, which is trying to take things away from you and your coworkers. But when you stand together in solidarity with coworkers, supporting each other's fight for a better future, you often build a lifetime bond. In fact, this is why we have a contract and why we have a Union to help enforce it.

Don't let your employer silence your voice. Don't let them take away your existing benefits, claiming they are too expensive even though the company hasn't seen an increase in benefit-cost in over 12 years.

Stand together, and we will prove Solidarity Works!