Through the last two Food Maxx bargaining cycles the Food Maxx Agreement has become similar to the Lucky Agreement in the areas of wages and contract language. The health plan of Food Maxx does have some lesser benefits resulting in the level “C” health plan, but otherwise mostly compares with the larger UFCW health and benefit plan known as UEBT. Since the union contracts and health plans are similar between Lucky and Food Maxx it would be reasonable to expect upcoming Food Maxx negotiations will produce similar looking tentative agreements to be voted upon by the membership. Local 5 will be setting bargaining dates shortly with Food Maxx representatives and will notify our membership of such dates and expected progress made towards a new contract to be voted on by Local 5 members.