On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, UFCW 99 President Jim McLaughlin hosted a Telephone Town Hall to discuss ongoing union contract negotiations with Fry’s, Safeway, Smith’s, and Albertsons, as well as to share information regarding Virta Health. For those who were unable to attend, below is the full recording of the call and an abbreviated summary.
UFCW Local 99 Telephone Town Hall Summary
Virta Health Q&A with President Jim McLaughlin and Sophie Hayes, Virta
Q: Who is Virta Health, and what does your program do for our members?
A: Virta Health is here to help UFCW members eat their way to better health. Our focus is on reversing Type 2 diabetes and supporting sustainable weight loss by addressing the root cause of chronic metabolic conditions. We help members use food as medicine — eating foods they enjoy — to reduce blood sugar and decrease reliance on medications. Through our partnership with UFCW, we’ve already helped over 710 members, who have collectively lost more than 10,000 pounds.
Q: That’s very impressive. Who is eligible for Virta Health under our plan right now?
A: Virta Health is available at no cost to Health & Welfare Fund members and dependents who are age 18 and older. Members qualify if they have:
- A Type 2 diabetes diagnosis
- A pre-diabetes diagnosis
- Or a BMI of 25 or higher
Q: Many of the members participating also have diabetes and other conditions. Are you actually helping people improve or reverse their diabetes?
A: Yes — that is exactly our goal. Within six months of enrolling in Virta, UFCW members on average reduce their A1C by nearly a full point, reduce about 16% of their diabetes medications, and lose roughly 8.5% of their body weight. We’ve also seen powerful member success stories. One member lost over 50 pounds in just seven months. She had tried many different diets and even weight loss medications before, but through Virta she learned how different foods affected her body and made small, sustainable lifestyle changes. She was also able to reduce her GLP-1 medication by more than 80%.
Q: GLP-1 medications are very popular right now. If someone is prescribed a GLP-1, do they have to go through the Virta program?
A: Yes, that is correct. Virta becomes the primary prescriber for GLP-1 medications. Once enrolled, members receive a dedicated care team that helps manage the medication, ensure the appropriate dose, and provide personalized nutrition support.Our goal is to help members understand how the medication works in their body and make dietary changes that support their weight loss goals. If members don’t want to be on GLP-1s long-term or experience side effects, we help them safely taper off the medication while maintaining their progress through sustainable lifestyle habits.
Q: GLP-1 medications are expensive, and we all want to protect the Health & Welfare Fund. How can members get more information or enroll in Virta Health?
A: Members can visit virtahealth.com/rx to learn more and begin the enrollment process. From there, they’ll be connected with a Virta enrollment advisor who can answer questions specific to their health history and confirm eligibility. Whether members have Type 2 diabetes, are pre-diabetic, or are simply looking to lose weight, they can start the process online and get personalized support.
Q: Is there anything else our members should know about the Virta program?
A: Our approach is fully personalized. Each member receives a dedicated care team that works with their food preferences, allergies, cultural considerations, and budget constraints. We focus on building practical, lasting habits around food quality, physical activity, and behavior change. We also send everything members need directly to their home, including a welcome kit with a Bluetooth-connected blood glucose and ketone meter, a scale, and full access to the Virta Health app where members communicate with their care team.
Contract Negotiations Update
President McLaughlin provided an update on preparations for upcoming contract negotiations, noting that the union has received a record number of survey responses from members across the state.
President McLaughlin emphasized that protecting the Health & Welfare Fund is an important aspect of negotiations and highlighted Virta Health as an example of improving benefits while responsibly managing fund costs.
President McLaughlin also stressed that the only way to achieve a strong contract is through member unity. He encouraged members to stay engaged, wear union pins and buttons in the stores, and work closely with their union representatives and shop stewards, and rely on official union communications for accurate information.
Stay Connected
Members are reminded to keep their contact information up to date to ensure they receive accurate and timely negotiation updates. If your phone number or email has changed, please email memberupdate@ufcw99.com.
Next Telephone Town Hall Scheduled
President McLaughlin also announced that the next Telephone Town Hall focused on negotiations is scheduled for Thursday, February 5 at 6:30 p.m.. Reminders will be sent closer to the event date.
