Richland Fred Meyer Workers Ratify First Contract!

After voting all day today (Friday 10/7), workers at Richland Fred Meyer have overwhelmingly voted to ratify our first union contract!

This legally binding contract includes big wins like:

• A new wage scale with wage increases each year

• Workplace safety language and avenues to escalate concerns that aren’t addressed at the store level

• “Just Cause” protections (meaning we cannot be terminated or disciplined without a reason)

• A grievance procedure giving us the ability to challenge unjust discipline or any violations of our new contract

• Access to affordable high-quality health care for ourselves and our families

• Union recognition and union security to ensure we have a strong union store for years to come

NEXT STEPS – A FIRST CONTRACT IS JUST THE BEGINNING

First, we celebrate. This win took more than three years! Next, we get to work. The next steps will be getting familiar with our new contract, so we can exercise our rights on the job, stepping up to get union training (on contract enforcement, safety, and more), recruiting workplace leaders to become our trained Shop Stewards, and getting to know our UFCW 3000 Union Representative.

Two important things everyone should remember:

If you or a coworker needs any help regarding an investigatory meeting with management, are facing any discipline or corrective action, or believe our contract is being violated, contact the UFCW 3000 Member Resource Center at 1-866-210-3000.

In addition, always remember your rights around meetings with management, called “Weingarten rights” after a 1975 Supreme Court Case:

You have the right to union representation if you are called to a meeting with management that could lead to discipline. Follow these guidelines: The employee must make a clear request for union representation either before or during the interview. (Managers do not have to inform employees of their rights.) Management cannot retaliate for requesting representation. Management must delay questioning until the union steward arrives. It is an unfair labor practice for management to deny an employee’s request for a steward and continue with interrogation. In this case, an employee can refuse to answer management’s questions.

READY TO GET TRAINED UP?

To sign up for further training with our union on things like contract enforcement, Weingarten rights and meetings, grievance procedures, and safety, contact Marc Auerbach, Education Director at 206-436-6519