UFCW Local 152 ratifies three-year contract at Vineland bakery

About 200 members of UFCW Local 152 who work at Top Quality "TQ" Baking in Vineland ratified a new three-year collective bargaining agreement on Jan. 13, 2026. The contract delivers an immediate across-the-board wage increase, guarantees additional raises over the life of the agreement, and includes market adjustments for most classifications in production, sanitation, maintenance, and other roles.

The immediate pay bump and scheduled future increases will raise household incomes for workers who produce the frozen "Texas Toast" garlic bread sold at union retailers. The deal also preserves affordable union health care access for members, raises the company 401(k) match to strengthen retirement savings, and shortens the service threshold for senior employees to receive additional vacation weeks. Employer-paid annual safety shoes and furnished, laundered uniforms remove recurring out-of-pocket costs for staff.

For workers, the package effects are direct and immediate: higher take-home pay, lower work-related expenses, improved retirement contributions, and expanded vacation access that supports better work-life balance. Maintaining health care affordability during the three-year term shields families from rising medical premiums and reduces turnover pressure that can disrupt operations in production and sanitation lines.

For the Vineland plant and Cumberland County, the agreement has local economic implications. Higher payroll for roughly 200 employees is likely to boost consumer spending in the community, supporting local retail and services. Reduced turnover and clearer benefit rules can improve plant productivity and product continuity for grocery chains that stock TQ Baking's items. At the same time, the company will absorb higher labor costs, which could influence pricing, investment, or staffing strategies over the contract term.

The contract illustrates continued bargaining strength for organized food manufacturing labor in the region. In practical terms, the combination of wage increases, market adjustments, and improved benefits reduces employee financial insecurity and can lower recruitment and training costs for the employer. The annual provision of safety shoes and uniform laundering is a small but meaningful change that cuts routine worker expenses and reinforces on-site safety standards.

Implementation of the agreement will unfold across the three-year period as scheduled wage steps and benefit changes take effect. For Cumberland County residents, the deal means more stable paychecks for unionized bakery workers and modestly stronger demand for local businesses. Observers will watch whether this settlement influences contracts at other food-processing facilities in the region and how the Vineland plant balances higher labor costs with operational plans in the coming years.