More than 2,000 members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400 who work at Giant and Safeway stores in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia ratified new contracts that strengthen wages and protect benefits. The four-year contracts include average pay increases over four years of 24%, no increases in health care costs over the next four years, improved language on minimum hours for part-timers, pensions, and safety, and other benefits. Members at Giant Food voted 1,340-266 and members at Safeway voted 761-131 in favor of ratifying the agreements.