Macy’s ULP Strike Update Day 3: Macy’s Workers ULP Strike ends but the fight continues
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ANNOUNCEMENT: After three days our ULP Strike at Macy’s has ended. Macy’s confirmed today that the company has accepted our return to work beginning tomorrow, Monday 11/27. At 8pm tonight, after Macy’s closed for business, Macy’s strikers at Alderwood, Bellis Fair, and Southcenter Malls took down the picket signs accompanied by the chant “We’ll be back!”
And Macy’s should know that we will be back on the picket line, unless Macy’s bargains fairly and stops violating labor law.
These past three days proved three things we already knew:
Macy’s Workers are standing united and are ready to fight for safety and a fair contract!
Macy’s cannot effectively run these stores without us!
The community and our customers HAVE OUR BACK!
Here are some important questions we’ve been asked now that our strike is over:
What should striking workers do at their next scheduled shift?
Striking members should return to their normally scheduled shift. UFCW 3000 staff and members will be welcoming workers back in the morning and available to answer any questions that people may have throughout the day and week. Call our Member Resource Center if you have questions: 1-866-210-3000.
What should we do when clocking in?
When clocking in the time system may prompt you by asking if shifts missed while on strike were because of an absence. Workers should answer that the missed shifts were due to an absence. Though Macy’s cannot count time on an official strike as an unexcused absence, the time keeping system could automatically deduct attendance credits. If this happens, contact your union rep, steward, or call the Member Resource Center at 1-866-210-3000 so we can work to get all attendance credits restored and ensure that no worker is disciplined because of the strike.
What protections do Holiday Hires have?
Holiday hires who participated in the ULP strike are protected under the National Labor Relation Act (NLRA) for their activity of participating in a strike. If management attempts to discipline holiday hires, they should assert their Weingarten Rights and ask for union representation. If discipline is issued to holiday hires, our union will challenge the discipline as an illegal act by Macy’s that violated the NLRA. Any worker that receives unfair treatment or discipline upon returning from the ULP strike should contact their stewards or call their union representative or the Member Resource Center at 1-866-219-3000 immediately.
What will happen next?
We have reached out to Macy’s to get back to the bargaining table. We expect to get new dates on the calendar early next week. Our hope is that Macy’s will come to the table, ready to engage in good faith over solutions on safety, living wages and a contract with NO takeaways. As always, your member bargaining team and strike captains will keep you up to date.
Workers sent a clear message to management that we are united, we are strong, and we aren’t going anywhere! Tomorrow when we go back let’s continue to stay united by working safely, making sure to take our breaks and support each other.
Our stories have been heard around the world. We are speaking up for a fair contract that protects our wages scales, holidays, increases our pay, and demands that Macy’s respects our rights under labor law. Check out some of the dozens of news stories below:
News Stories
NEWSWEEK: Macy's Faces Thanksgiving Revolt From Its Own Staff
Over the course of negotiations Macy's has engaged in unfair labor practices (ULPs) that have interfered with the bargaining process, refused to agree to sensible safety language, and is offering most workers a meager 50 cents annual wage increase all while proposing to eliminate their wage scales," it added. "Workers have had enough."
REUTERS! Macy's workers in Washington state to strike for three days from Black FridayNov 22 (Reuters) - More than 400 Macy's (M.N) workers in Washington state are planning a three-day strike from Black Friday through Sunday, alleging unfair labor practices and demanding better wages, according to UFCW Local 3000's website.
Retail News: Macy’s staff in Washington on three-day strike from Black Friday
Workers at US department store chain Macy’s in Washington state are planning to launch a three-day strike from Black Friday (24 November 2023) through to the following Sunday, labor union UFCW Local 3000 has announced.
GUARDIAN: ‘They’ve worked us to death’: Macy’s workers to strike on Black FridayFour hundred workers in Washington state to strike, alleging the company – which pays millions to executives – is not playing fair We would like them to share some of those profits so we can have a liveable wage,” said Azia Domingo, who has worked at Macy’s in Tukwila, Washington, for 21 years. “Macy’s CEO gets $11m per year while a lot of his workers rely on food banks, and some can’t even afford to see doctors because of the low wages and the expensive healthcare.”
GUARDIAN: Macy’s workers launch Black Friday strike in Washington stateAbout 400 workers walk out in dispute over allegedly unfair labor practices and failure to agree to a new contract. “We are on an unfair labor practice strike because Macy’s intimidated and retaliated against me for calling security and 911 about a thief,” one employee, Liisa Luick,saidduring a rally outside Southcenter. “Macy’s has not bargained in good faith throughout this process, frustrating our ability to get to a fair contract.”
KIRO-TV: Macy’s workers to strike Black Friday across Washington over ‘unfair’ labor practices“When workers ask that store safety just be a topic that they can talk about in future meetings with management, Macy’s even says no to that,” Joe Mizrahi, Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW 21, said on Friday. “Macy’s workers would much rather be inside the store helping customers this Black Friday. But instead they’ll be out here (at the Southcenter Mall) on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.”
KGMI RADIO: Local Macy’s workers to strike on Black FridayMacy’s Workers United said on their website that over 14,000 customers signed a pledge to not shop at Macy’s during the strike.
Bellingham Herald: Bellingham Macy’s to strike on Black Friday; Bellis Fair employees calling for change“I’ve been at the Bellis Fair Macy’s for 19 years,” Christina Verkist said in the release. “I’m in home goods, and my customers count on my knowledge of the products. But because they cut down on workers, I’m alone a lot in my department. With the threats we face from shoplifters, Macy’s needs to improve security, and we deserve better pay. The price of everything is up but my pay is not. Most of the time I can’t afford to fill up my gas tank. We hope customers will shop elsewhere while we are on strike for safer stores and better pay.”
Lynnwood Times: Macy’s workers to strike on Black Friday throughout Washington“Now we are afraid to call 911 when safety issues come up because we worry we will get in trouble, or even lose our jobs,” Luick said. “Workers don’t feel safe in our store, and now they are scared of retaliation, so they’ve stopped calling for help when they see a threat. Macy’s needs to step up and make our stores safer for workers and customers. I’m asking our customers to shop elsewhere this holiday while we are on strike.”
Newsbreak (DC): Hundreds of Macy's Workers Across Washington Set To Go On Strike on Black Friday! In an unprecedented move, over 400 Macy's workers in Washington are set to strike on Black Friday, citing Unfair Labor Practices ("ULP").
Edmonds News: Macy’s workers plan to strike starting on Black Friday at state’s busiest stores Hundreds of Macy’s workers Friday announced a countdown to an Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) strike at some of the busiest stores in Washington, including Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, Bellis Fair Mall in Bellingham and Southcenter Mall in Tukwila. Striking workers will kick off picket lines on Black Friday — Nov. 24 — with a Macy’s Striking Workers Parade at Southcenter Mall, according to a news release frommacysunited.com.
KOMO TV: Macy's workers in western Washington plan Black Friday strike over safety concerns, low wages: “This is what we feel is necessary to stand up for what is right and what we deserve,” Azia Domingo, who has worked at Macy’s in Southcenter Mall for 21 years. "This is unknown territory for a lot of us, but the time is now. We need to fight for what is right.”...."Macy’s makes billions of dollars a year in profit while many employees are struggling to make ends meet, that’s unacceptable."' Employees said they're hoping customers will support them by not shopping at Macy’s during the strike, whichkicks off with a rally outside Macy’s at Southcenter Mall Fridayat 9 a.m. For more information on the strike,click here.
KCPQ FOX 13 TV: Local Macy's employees go on strike during busiest shopping weekend of the year: "Macy’s, first of all, isn’t even keeping up with inflation, on top of, we don’t feel safe in our stores, which is leading to short staff, us being stretched thin, which is making us more vulnerable," said Azia Domingo…..”"To see the community, to see the other unions, to see politicians, to see moms and dads, our customers out there supporting us, this is amazing. And this gives us the strength to stand together and fight.”
KING 5 TV: Macy's workers striking in Lynnwood, Tukwila and Bellingham over 'unfair labor practices': “We’re tired of being frightened and endangered at work,” said Mary Stephen who works at the Alderwood Mall Macy’s in Lynnwood, “My hope is that it doesn’t last very long and we can come to a fair solution for all of us for safety, better affordable healthcare and better pay.”
KIRO News Radio: Washington Macy’s workers strike for higher wages, better crime protection: Liisa Luick, who has worked at the Macy’s in Lynnwood for more than 15 years, says there’s no clear safety procedures in place, and employees are left virtually on their own.“Macy’s intimidated and retaliated against me for calling security and 911 about a thief,” she says. “Macy’s has not bargained in good faith throughout this process, frustrating our ability to get to a fair contract. Macy’s has also attempted to restrict our ability to talk with our union representatives about workplace issues and bargaining.”
New York Times: Black Friday Isn’t What It Used to Be: ….“any retailers now make a point of staying closed on Thanksgiving. (Employees at some Macy’s stores in Washington State used Black Friday to make a statement about their working conditions. More than 400 sales associates went on strike over issues they say they’re facing, including theft in stores and low wages.)”
Seattle Times:Seattle-area Macy’s workers strike for better protection from crime
“Some accountant in New York has figured out that it costs them less to just let people steal product than it does for them to have a perception of there being safety issues in their stores,” says Joe Mizrahi, UFCW 3000 secretary-treasurer. Macy’s has “financial incentive to pretend like there’s not a problem.” Yasmina Grainat, 55, who was picketing at Alderwood with other members of United Food & Commercial Workers Local 3000, which represents around 400 workers at the state’s three unionized Macy’s stores: Alderwood, Southcenter and in Bellis Fair mall in Bellingham and others say Macy’s management does too little to deter the thieves or protect staff. Employees say they’re not allowed to interfere with thieves, or aid colleagues, but are told to report incidents to store security…“When I call security, no one picks up the phone,” says Grainat, who adds that the stress is too much at a job that pays a 23-year veteran just $20.73 an hour.“We need them to respect us.”
Cascadia Daily News:Macy’s employees strike on Black Friday weekend over safety, wagesUnion workers urge public to go elsewhere on nation's busiest shopping days
Outside Bellis Fair mall, a worker barked into a megaphone, “Their 50 cent. Won’t pay rent,” striking union employees and community members replied in a call-and-response chant. Debbie Walk, who has worked for Macy’s in Bellingham for at least eight years, said it was “ridiculous” that employees were having to bargain for the right to call the police when they felt a situation was unsafe. “We’re seeing a lot of retail theft and they don’t seem to be doing enough to stop it,” said Walk, who works in the retailer's fine jewelry department. “We feel unsafe a lot of times.”
“Macy’s is not the first or last strike in Washington,” Mizrahi said. “Providence nurses and hospital staff and now Macy’s employees are demanding CEOs share the wealth made off of their hard work.”
Everett Herald:Macy’s employees strike on Black Friday at Alderwood Mall
Protesters in Lynnwood called for better wages and safety measures. Staff at other Macy’s stores picketed in Bellingham and Tukwila.
Thailand Post:Employees at Macy’s in Washington state will go on strike for 3 days, starting on Black Friday
KIRO 7 TV:Southcenter Macy’s employees go on strike, seeking more work rights
They chanted loudly with signs in hand. From dawn to dusk, workers at the Macy’s in Southcenter Mall were calling attention to their fight for better rights Friday.Domingo and her colleagues want more safety measures in place after a Macy’s Alderwood employee said she was retaliated against for calling 911 when she witnessed someone shoplifting.
The UFCW 3000 said she was put on unpaid leave because of it. “What we are asking from Macy’s is to provide a clear, concise policy on what to do when a security threat arises and when we can call 911,” Domingo added. “We don’t feel safe in our stores. This leads to short staff, us being stretched thin, and creating more of a security threat because there’s not enough coverage.”
POLITICS
Mother Jones: On Black Friday, Unions Are Striking For a Better DealIt’s been a historic year for labor action—and it’s not over yet.Retail workers are walking out during the busiest shopping day of the year, Black Friday, leveraging a weekend of huge profits for retailers to demand better pay and working conditions….In Washington, about four hundred Macy’s employees from three different storeswent on strike, beginning their picket at 3:00 AM on Black Friday. Their union, the United Food and Commercial Workers,saysthat Macy’s isn’t doing enough to address safety threats like violent shoppers and shoplifting, and that pay is not keeping up with the cost of living. “Workers don’t feel safe in our store, and now they are scared of retaliation so they’ve stopped calling for help when they see a threat,”explainedsales associate Liisa Luick in a release from UFCW 3000. Azia Domingo, who has worked for Macy’s for 21 years, said, “Macy’s is making billions of dollars and paying their CEO $11 million a year, but most of us workers are struggling to make ends meet…We shouldn’t have to question whether we can afford to have health insurance and go to the doctor.”
Mention inWA State Standardstory on holiday retail workers
Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor
Everett Herald:Comment: Retail workers are essential; treat them as such(Liisa Luick)
Retail workers face low wages, short-staffing and threats from shoplifters that stores are ignoring.
Mt Lake Terrace News:Letter to the editor: Macy’s needs to support its workers(Janet Bates)
That’s why we are united with the power of our union UFCW 3000, ready to strike during the busiest shopping days of the year around Black Friday. We hope our customers and the community will stand with us until Macy’s corporate shows us they care about more than their profits.
Everett Herald LTE:Back Macy’s workers efforts for better pay (Daniel Vargo)
So, if you see workers like me united with the power of our union UFCW 3000 holding signs outside Macy’s Alderwood in the upcoming weeks, I hope you will support our fight against Macy’s unfair labor practices and for better pay and improved safety for workers and customers at our stores.
Everett Herald LTE:Pay, safety are major concerns for Macy’s workers(Nicole Hardin)
To make it even tougher, Macy’s management doesn’t take our safety seriously. Shoplifters and even violent customers are constant threats to our security. But Macy’s hasn’t provided safety procedures, and workers who called for help have been retaliated against by management.
