Safeway members to qualify for benefits faster

UFCW 1518 members working at Safeway will now qualify for MSP, extended health benefits and dental after six months of employment!

Trustees on the UFCW Health and Welfare Trust met last October and passed a motion to reduce the eligibility timeline for the Grid B benefit plan, subject to funding. After review, it was determined that there is sufficient funding to reduce the qualification period from 12 to six months. This despite Special Officer Vince Ready’s decision, which temporarily reduces employer contributions to the Grid B benefit plan in Appendix A stores.

“This is a significant win for our members,” said Secretary-Treasurer Patrick Johnson. “After it was established that the funding was available in the Health and Welfare Trust, reducing the qualification period for benefits to six months was absolutely the right thing to do.”

Now Grid B members who are 18 years or older and average 24 hours a week over a 13 week period will be eligible for the extended benefit package after six months of employment. The reduction in eligibility is retroactive to January 1, 2019.

If you have any questions about the new eligibility criteria, please contact the UFCW Health & Welfare Plan Safeway Division Administrator at 1.800.295.3348.