PROVIDENCE – Seven Stars Bakery employees and management have reached their first contract agreement, the union announced on Thursday, which includes immediate and future pay increases, guaranteed minimum hours and other improvements to employee benefit packages.
The contract was approved unanimously and gives all employees an immediate wage increase of $2 to $4 per hour, with an average increase of $3.72; additional 7.3% and 7% increases in 2023 and 2024; a $6 hourly increase to base pay over three years; and longevity increases, said United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 328, which represents the Seven Stars workers.
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Additionally, all workers will have guaranteed minimum hours; company-matched retirement benefits of up to 4%; a shift from bi-weekly to a weekly pay schedule; elimination of on-call days; no-slip shoe reimbursement; and improvements to vacation, holiday and sick time off.
The union represents more than 100 baristas, keyholders and restockers across the local café chain’s five locations in Providence, East Providence and Cranston, UFCW said.
Seven Stars did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Employees filed for unionization in June, and later that month received voluntary recognition from owners Tracy and Bill Daugherty. In December, workers petitioned for high wages and collected more than 600 signatures from the public, UFCW said.
In the UFCW announcement, employees expressed gratitude for community support and their co-workers in the unionization drive.
“We were floored by the support of our respective communities that we are lucky to serve each day,” said Chris Sullivan, a keyholder at the East Providence location. “My favorite part of my job is interacting with the public, getting to know them on a personal level, and hoping to bring something more than just a cup of coffee. I’m excited that we’re going to be able to continue doing just that.”
Jacquelyn Voghel is a PBN staff writer. You may reach her at Voghel@PBN.com.
