Track the Major UFCW Grocery Contract Fights of 2026
In 2025, over 100,000 UFCW grocery workers stood side by side in solidarity to take on the bosses, from California to Indiana. In 2026, still more UFCW grocery contracts are set to expire nationwide as workers continue to push for fair wages and adequate staffing. Read more in Essential Voice.
2025 Southern California contract negotiations with Stater Bros saw strike authorizations and boycott campaigns before reaching a fair contract.
Nearly 100,000 UFCW grocery members will bargain new contracts in the first half of 2026 alone.
STOP & SHOP NEGOTIATIONS KICK OFF
On February 28, the contract for 30,000 New England Stop & Shop workers in UFCW Locals 328, 371, 919, 1445, and 1459 will expire. In 2024, Stop & Shop initiated a wave of 32 store closures across the area, forcing thousands of members to either transfer to new stores with longer commutes, or leave the company entirely.
In late 2025, members of UFCW Local 328 also voted to approve a 20% reduction in pension benefits until 2033, due to underfunding of the pension fund.
Members struck Stop & Shop during contract negotiations in 2019 to fight concessions and givebacks, including cuts to pensions, healthcare benefits, holiday premium pay, and wages — all while Ahold Delhaize, the Dutch corporation that owns Stop & Shop, approved an 11% dividend increase for shareholders.
The 2019 strike beat back most concessions, but members say they’re still struggling to keep up with the cost of living under their current contract. “Wages are the number one issue,” says Heather Clark in UFCW Local 328, “along with concerns about health coverage.”
KROGER FIGHTS RAGE ON
On the heels of dozens of new Kroger contracts negotiated in 2025, several major Kroger contracts will be negotiated in 2026.
Nearly 20,000 members at 123 Fry’s (Kroger) stores across Arizona in UFCW Local 99 will see their contract expire in early March.
Also in March, 12,000 members of UFCW Local 1995 in Tennessee will negotiate a new contract.
In May, the Kroger contract for 20,000 Ohio workers in UFCW Local 75 will expire. It’s the end of a 7 year contract. “Understaffing will be a major issue,” said Mason Wyss in UFCW Local 75. “We need to raise expectations about what we can win.”
And in June, contracts will expire for 14,000 UFCW Local 876 members at Kroger in Michigan. That’s nearly 100,000 UFCW members bargaining new contracts in the first half of 2026.
Mason Wyss
UFCW Local 75
Kroger
“Understaffing will be a major issue. We need to raise expectations about what we can win.”