C.C. Filson - Historic Pay Increases on the Table
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Our Bargaining Committee met with Management and made our economic proposals. Since the beginning of bargaining, Union members have made clear that we need substantial wage increases to just make ends meet. So we proposed:
Big increases to the minimum pay rates for productivity-based workers. We also questioned Management about why they were paying less than the Minimum Base Rate to production workers, based on their answers the Union will be filing a grievance.
Historic wage increases and a pay scale for hourly workers that gives recognition for job duties and years of loyal service.
No changes to the health care cost sharing.
An employer funded 401(k) retirement program with guaranteed contributions for every hour we work.
We tentatively agreed with Management to put the night work premium in the contract and to increase it to $.50/hr. Filson also had previously proposed a bonus program based on yearly company performance; we told them we could agree to it, but it could not replace wage increases that we need to live.
The Employer said our proposal required serious consideration and number crunching, so they were unable to respond to our proposal immediately and ended bargaining for the day. But we kept on working and drafted Safety and Pandemic contract language that will be ready to present to them at the next bargaining session on August 4.
TIME TO TAKE ACTION
Management may need time to consider our proposals, but we are not going to just sit around and wait. So far we have taken action by buttoning-up, getting trained on spotting Unfair Labor Practices at work, and having a great Unity Day action at work where our community allies turned out to show their support for Filson workers. We aren’t stopping there and won’t until Union members have a fair contract offer to vote on.
Filson needs to see that you are serious about the proposals the Union has on the table. Make sure you are:
Wearing your Union button everyday
Participating in Solidarity Wednesdays by wearing a gold Union t-shirt
Attending the Contract Action Team meeting Friday, July 29 @ 4-6pm, Kent Commons - Olympic Room, 525 4th Ave N Kent, WA 98030. Join us for a more in-depth update on negotiations, planning for further actions, and discussing how we run an effective picket line.
