Spartan Stores Ratifies Five-Year Labor Pact at Plymouth, Mich. D-C
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Spartan Stores, Inc. here said Friday it ratified a new five-year labor contract for bargaining unit warehouse employees and drivers at its Plymouth, Michigan distribution center.
The contract provides for significant improvements in scheduling flexibility and work rules that are expected to better serve customer needs and enhance the distribution segment's labor productivity and operating efficiency, according to the company.
Contract provisions include wage increases, but also require affected employees to share in the company's rising healthcare costs. The contract was approved by an overwhelming majority of the affected bargaining unit employees.
"The contract is a win for all parties because it appropriately aligns the interest of shareholders, customers and employees," said Craig C. Sturken, Spartan Stores' chairman, president and c.e.o. "With this contract ratification, we have continued our long-standing history of favorable labor relations and it demonstrates the confidence and support our employees have in our business strategy."
Spartan Stores, the nation's tenth largest grocery distributor with warehouse facilities in Grand Rapids and Plymouth, Mich., distributes more than 40,000 private-label and national brand products to over 300 independent grocery stores. Spartan also owns and operates 54 retail supermarkets and 20 deep-discount food and drug stores in Michigan and Ohio, including Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen's Markets, and The Pharm.
The contract provides for significant improvements in scheduling flexibility and work rules that are expected to better serve customer needs and enhance the distribution segment's labor productivity and operating efficiency, according to the company.
Contract provisions include wage increases, but also require affected employees to share in the company's rising healthcare costs. The contract was approved by an overwhelming majority of the affected bargaining unit employees.
"The contract is a win for all parties because it appropriately aligns the interest of shareholders, customers and employees," said Craig C. Sturken, Spartan Stores' chairman, president and c.e.o. "With this contract ratification, we have continued our long-standing history of favorable labor relations and it demonstrates the confidence and support our employees have in our business strategy."
Spartan Stores, the nation's tenth largest grocery distributor with warehouse facilities in Grand Rapids and Plymouth, Mich., distributes more than 40,000 private-label and national brand products to over 300 independent grocery stores. Spartan also owns and operates 54 retail supermarkets and 20 deep-discount food and drug stores in Michigan and Ohio, including Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen's Markets, and The Pharm.