Signature Deadline Approaches to Nominate Workers to the Board 

It’s time for a worker voice on the PCC Board of Trustees! Despite PCC management’s insistence on blocking efforts to support workers running for the board, co-op members have responded very positively to PCC workers and our community allies at Washington CAN, as we gather signatures to put Donna Rasmussen (View Ridge) and Laurae McIntyre (Fremont) on the ballot for the board of trustees. For more info on Donna and Laurae and why they’re running, click here.

If you have not yet signed a petition for both of your co-workers, do so now! The deadline is approaching quickly, and we’ll need to gather enough verified signatures to achieve our goal. Petitions are available in all PCC stores, and signature gatherers will be visiting stores again this week. Once you sign, connect with friends and family who are PCC members—you can print a petition for each candidate, get signatures from all the co-op members you know, and then mail them, with signatures, to UFCW 21 offices. Deadline for mailing petitions with signatures is Dec 7, 2020.

Print a Petition for Laurae | Print a Petition for Donna

COVID at Your Store? 

PCC workers, like many grocery store workers, have been reporting an uptick in COVID-19 cases in stores. Last week UFCW 21 sent a demand to bargain over the effects of this most recent surge in COVID-19 cases, including over hazard pay, and sent a formal request for information on how PCC plans to comply with the newest guidelines and requirements. It is more important than ever that we enforce our right to safety in the workplace. There are very clear requirements and guidelines on what employers need to do to keep us safe, including notifying all close contacts of a worker with COVID or suspected COVID, allowing everyone to safely quarantine, and following CDC protocols to clean, sanitize, and disinfect the workplace. More info here:

When there is a positive or suspected COVID case in your workplace

If you are pressured or even asked to continue working after an exposure to COVID-19, you should contact your Union Rep immediately.

If you are out of paid leave and facing illness or quarantine, work with your Shop Steward or Union Rep to make sure you are compensated for your time. No one should be forced to choose between safety and a paycheck.

Bargaining Begins Soon 

Our Bargaining Team: Atsuko Koseki, Edmonds Deli; Greg Brooks, Fremont Meat; Keith Allery, Greenlake Village Deli; Quinn Ráo, Ballard Front End; Scott Shiflett, Redmond Meat; Yasab Pfister, Burien Front End

As outlined last week, our member-led bargaining team met on November 23 to analyze bargaining surveys and prepare for the bargain. The team began crafting proposals around safety and pension improvements and is ready to begin bargaining. We have requested bargaining dates from PCC multiple times, and they have yet to respond with when they can meet us at the table. Keep an eye out for online Contract Action Team meetings in the weeks ahead!