Making it official: What coordinated bargaining really looks like
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United Coast to Coast
In February, UFCW local presidents representing Macy’s workers from across the country came together to solidify their commitment to a coordinated bargaining plan. By unifying through coordination, we are strengthening our power across the country.
Our leaders are committed to:
Striving for stronger and better contracts
Increasing solidarity efforts
Strengthening membership participation
Aligning contract expiration dates
Sharing information and resources
Supporting each other at the bargaining table
Photo (from left to right): Dave Mertz, Alan Subervi, Curtis West, Todd Crosby, Angella Harding, Regina Lambert, Stuart Appelbaum, Cassandra Berrocal, Kate Meckler and Mark Federici.
Local 367 Members Overwhelmingly Ratify a Two-Year Agreement
Their contract provides a $1.00 raise for the thereafter rate over the life of the contract and shorter progression brackets for part-time and flex members. A member-bargaining committee played a crucial role in their efforts to mobilize their coworkers. They not only negotiated a contract with great improvements, but also stayed firm on their commitment to align contract expiration dates with other Macy’s local unions as indicated in the 2019 Coordinated Bargaining Plan.
Get Involved! Reach out to your Union Rep
Locals taking Action
California Local 5 Button Up
Members of UFCW Local 5 in California showed solidarity with the other two locals who were bargaining earlier this year (UFCW Local 367 in Tacoma, Washington, and UFCW Local 1445 in Massachusetts). Members of UFCW Locals 5, 367, and 1445 wore solidarity buttons to let management and customers know that unionized Macy’s workers are united no matter the distance. This effort is part of the coast to coast initiative to show unity and solidarity among our Macy’s members. Members are determined to preserve and improve the wages, benefits, and working conditions for all Macy’s members.
UFCW Local 400 made a strong commitment to stick together with UFCW Local 21 even though their bargaining session had already concluded, “We began our contract negotiations united with our brothers and sisters from UFCW Local 21. We will continue to stand in solidarity until Macy’s comes to its senses and reaches an agreement with our brothers and sisters in Seattle. Now, is when we must show Macy’s that we truly are united coast to coast”. UFCW Local 400 Leadership
LOCAL 1445 Macy’s Workers Stand Together for a Better Life
Macy’s workers who are members of UFCW Local 1445 in Massachusetts voted to authorize a strike in May to ensure members’ demands were respected at the bargaining table. In the end, with the support of the community and because they stood together with fellow Macy’s members, they won an agreement that provides:
Time and a half on Sundays
Wage increases
Reduced cost of health insurance premiums
*Recent legislation in Massachusetts eliminated time and a half provision in lieu of increases of minimum wage.
Susan Alexander
Shop Steward, Natick, Massachusetts
Member, UFCW Local 1445
“I learned that we need to stick together to be strong, and to keep our low- and middle-income brothers and sisters all employed. On a personal note, I would like to share what my union did for me…”
“Five years ago, my son (with special needs) and I were living in low-income housing and ran into trouble with paying our rent. I went to my union representatives, and they immediately called the State Representative and said ’You need to keep this woman and her son in their home. She’s working and we will help take care of her.’ That made my feelings about the union that much stronger. I am proud to say that as a new Shop Steward, everybody needs to get on board and support our union and their brothers and sisters who they work with.”
