More than 200 Local 5 members working for OLAM Americas, an agricultural harvesting company, have ratified a new four-year contract by a margin of 91%

The deal provides members with a fifteen percent pay increase over the life of the agreement, maintains affordable health care, increases retirement benefits by more than 30 percent, adds two new paid holidays, and includes improved contract language around funeral leave, jury duty pay and attendance policy.

“The new agreement gives members a 15% increase over the term of the agreement, maintains affordable healthcare, increases the pension accruals by 30%, 100% 401(k) match up to 4%, night and training premium increased, added MLK Jr, and Good Friday as holidays, improvements to Funeral Leave, Jury Duty Pay and much more. This agreement provides our members with much needed wage increases and provides them with a pathway to a secure retirement.” Secretary Treasurer Oscar Orozco

Workers at OLAM first voted to join the UFCW in 1997 when the company operated as Gilroy Foods and focused on onion and garlic harvesting and processing.

The union’s members, comprised of more than 70% women, now work from April through November beginning in the Imperial Valley before moving on to Blyth, Arizona and ultimately to the San Joaquin Valley.