Tentative agreement reached to end Stop & Shop strike, both parties say

Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. And workers of more than 240 New England shops said on Sunday evening that they have reached a preliminary agreement to end an 11-day workout of more than 30,000 employees in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Stop & Shop said it was "happy to get our staff back to work as the strike ended." However, the three-year deal is still subject to ratification votes from five locals in the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, or the UFCW.

Stop & Shop said that the agreement includes a wage increase, revisions to the company's previous health insurance offering and the extension of defined benefit pension benefits to all eligible employees.

UFCW confirmed in a statement Sunday evening that "we have entered into a preliminary agreement with Stop & Shop." It is said that all striking employees should report to work Monday morning.

"Be proud of what you have achieved on the line, thank your friends, neighbors and customers who signed petitions, brought food and shared your message with the world" association said.

Strike started April 11 after negotiations for a new contract broke down. Union representatives said the company asked its New England workers, about three-quarters of part-time employees, to pay more for their insurance and receive reduced retirement benefits.