Grocery workers in UFCW 663 will soon enjoy lower deductibles, better vision and dental coverage, and reduced out-of-pocket maximums thanks to recent changes to their health fund.
The updates to the UFCW 663 Minneapolis Retail Meat Cutters & Food Handlers (MRMC) Health & Welfare Fund will take effect starting Jan. 1, 2026.
Plan improvements are as follows:
- Annual vision exams will be covered at 100%;
- Diagnostic and preventive, restorative, and prosthetic dental services coverage will be $2,000 per eligible person annually, an increase from $1,250;
- Annual deductible for comprehensive major medical benefits will be $500 per eligible individual (down from $750) and $1,500 per family (down from $2,250);
- Annual out-of-pocket-maximum for comprehensive major medical benefits will be $2,500 per eligible individual (down from $3,000) and $5,000 per family plan (down from $6,000).
Health & Welfare Fund trustees signed off on these plan improvements earlier this year during bargaining between UFCW 663 and most of the major grocery companies whose workers the Fund covers.
As of May 31, the Union Healthcare plan covered 3,089 employees plus 1,929 dependents.
The changes will save those workers more money on healthcare costs compared to what they paid under the previous Plan design.
Sierra Storm, who works in the produce department at Cub Foods in Bloomington, said she’s excited to see the increased healthcare benefits.
“I use our healthcare on a frequent basis, so having a lower deductible and out-of-pocket maximum means more money in the bank to go towards other necessities, which is so important with how expensive everything is getting,” said Storm, who has worked for Cub for more than 11 years.
“I am also due for a vision exam, so knowing that will be fully covered brings me a ton of relief.”
Randy Paulson, a meat and seafood worker at the Maple Grove Lunds & Byerlys, is likewise eager for the updates to begin.
“As a person who needs yearly vision checkups for poor eyesight, I will save hundreds of dollars a year by having my exams be completely covered,” Paulson said.
“I’m also thrilled about seeing my deductible lowered by $250 for my individual plan. This means my insurance will kick in much faster for the healthcare I need while saving me out-of-pocket money.”
Workers are encouraged to read their newly ratified contract to learn about the healthcare-related changes. They can also call the Fund Office (Wilson-McShane) at 952-851-5797 or visit www.663benefits.com.
The 18 union employers who contribute to the fund are the following:
- Almsted Enterprises, Inc.
- Shorewood, Inc. (Driskill)
- Haug Enterprises Incorporated
- Willston Corp (Haug)
- Ingebretsen’s
- Knowlan’s Festival Foods
- Radermachers Cub Shakopee 1997 LLC
- Miners, Inc.
- UNFI / Super Valu, Inc.
- UFCW Local 663
- T & K Foods, Inc. (Andover County Market; King)
- Everett’s Foods, Inc.
- Oxendale’s
- Jerry’s Enterprise
- Kings Super Markets, Inc. (St. Francis County Market)
- Lund Food Holdings, Inc.
- Kowalski’s Market
- Christopherson Meats Co. & Swanson Meats, Inc.