On Monday and Tuesday this week, our Have a Heart Bargaining Team met with the Employer for our first negotiations sessions. There are some reasonable offers on the table, while there are some serious takeaways proposed as well. We discussed changes to the PTO and sick time structure, bereavement leave, discipline, hours of work, layoff language, and of course, wages and healthcare. No substantial tentative agreements have been made so far, which is not uncommon this early into bargaining. Our Bargaining Team is disheartened that Have a Heart is proposing potential takeaways, while still understanding the situation that the business is in and that management has more opportunities to improve their offer. Our next session will be next Wednesday, August 7.

“While it is frustrating to be going back and forth like this, it’s still inspiring and positive to be collectively bargaining and advocating for our coworkers. Not many businesses work as collaboratively with their employees to improve working conditions. So it's an honor to fight for our rights together as a team!” —Tina Harvey, Bothell Inventory Lead

"We've begun bargaining discussions and have been met with a few disappointing proposals. We'll meet again next week and continue to work on a new contract that benefits our workforce.” —Austin Miller, Belltown Inventory Lead

Please reach out to your Union Rep, Chris Arellano, at 360-409-0241 if you have questions or want to get more involved.