Still Diverging on Wages but Making Progress at the Table 

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As PCC grocery workers, we believe that the co-op needs to be a leader of high standards in the grocery industry. This includes treating co-op workers with dignity and respect and having the best union contract possible, with industry-leading wages, safety and benefits. As workers and co-op members, we are committed to making PCC the best grocery company to work at, to shop at, and to have in our communities. 

Through numerous tabling events, informational pickets, customer leaflets, button ups, and by delivering the PCC Workers Declaration of Demands to management with nearly 80% of workers signed on in support, our bargaining committee and coworkers continue to push PCC to be better.  

Over the last several months, our bargaining committee has made major progress in improving our contract. We have tentative agreements that would do the following:  

  • Increase the night time premium 

  • Improve the worker caucus committee 

  • Add language to allow more accesses to hours for those that want them 

  • Add premium pay after 8 consecutive days work in Grocery (similar to the Meat contract)  

  • Improve vacation scheduling 

  • Expand access to protected leave of absence 

  • Improve bereavement leave 

  • Secure orca cards in the contract and cap the worker expense at $20 

  • Prevent demotions except in cases of just cause 

  • Dedicate money to a workforce training fund and more

Remaining items include retirement, health care, and safety language; although we have not come to an agreement on these items, the discussion has been positive.  

With respect to wages: Despite good progress in many areas of our union contract, we remain apart on wages. PCC’s most recent wage proposal is simply not enough to meet our needs. Our wage proposal would make PCC workers the highest-paid grocery store workers in the region, while also protecting our wage scale from being surpassed by the minimum wage. You can view PCC’s wage proposal on the PCC contract page.

Next Bargaining Date Wednesday September 27

Our strength comes from worker engagement, take action to build power in our workplace!