Just a few weeks ago, we voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. The success of that vote armed our member-led bargaining team with the power to win an agreement that fixed the low-ball, takeaway offer from Kroger and Albertsons that prompted the strike vote in the first place.

Our union member bargaining team reached a Tentative Agreement and recommends a YES vote to accept the proposal from the employers.

“This is the ninth time I’ve sat at this table—this contract allows us to majorly build our power in the region” —Jeff Smith, Fred Meyer GM

This tentative agreement pioneers new staffing language, establishes first-ever staffing programs at our stores, secures strong wage increases, fully funds our healthcare plan with no benefit cuts, provides a pension we can count on, adds a major investment into our apprenticeship and training fund, and significantly boosts our bargaining power in the region and in the western U.S.

Though some of our contracts don’t expire until later this year— including those of us in Fred Meyer GM and in Teamsters 38— and though many of us are covered under interim agreements, our fellow grocery workers at Kroger and Albertsons will take strike authorization votes following a disappointing final bargaining session with the employers from May 19 to 21.

As the time to reach a deal came down to the wire, the companies acted with no urgency. They made our team wait for hours between proposals, and when they did pass something back, they only moved an inch here and there. Their posture at the table spoke volumes: They don’t value our work, and they don’t think we’re ready to fight for what we deserve. We’re happy to prove them wrong.

Our bargaining team unanimously recommends a NO vote on the contract and a YES vote to authorize a strike so corporate knows they can’t push us around.

Depending on how our upcoming negotiations go, our Bargaining Team may recommend a NO vote, a strike authorization vote, or a contract ratification vote.

Join your coworkers at a monthly Contract Action Team meeting—Let’s stay organized to win a strong contract this year.

From April 28 to 30, our member-led Bargaining Team yet again sat across the table from Albertsons and Kroger. We presented data to the companies showing that they have made record profits over the last five years—and yet their CEOs keep slashing staffing to fatten their own wallets and line the pockets of their investors.

On Thursday April 3, our union members grabbed bullhorns, hoisted up informational picket signs, and marched outside of Fred Meyers and QFCs across Puget Sound to fight for better wages, better staffing, and better stores.

In this week’s meetings with Kroger and Albertsons/Safeway, our member-led Bargaining Team heard the first staffing proposal from Kroger. Unfortunately, their proposal fell well short of what we need to ensure safe stores for workers and customers.  

Only days after Kroger’s CEO resigned for unknown ethical reasons, our bargaining team faced Kroger bargainers who seem hell-bent on stripping away workers’ rights.

On March 5 and 6, our Bargaining Team met with Safeway and passed proposals on staffing and scheduling, retail theft, immigration protections, PPE and safety, and other non-economic items.

Join your coworkers at a monthly Contract Action Team meeting—Let’s stay organized to win a strong contract this year.

Last week, our union and Teamsters 38 held a webinar to discuss our proposals to ensure better staffing at grocery stores across the region.