Puget Sound Allied Grocery Stores Who Is Really Being ‘Unreasonable’

From April 28 to 30, our member-led Bargaining Team yet again sat across the table from Albertsons and Kroger. We presented data to the companies showing that they have made record profits over the last five years—and yet their CEOs keep slashing staffing to fatten their own wallets and line the pockets of their investors.

We proposed wage increases that would simply bring us in line with grocers like Costco. They didn’t even give us the dignity of a counteroffer. In fact, they called us unreasonable.

You know what we think is unreasonable? Asking us to accept less than we deserve while they rake in profits.

“In eleven sessions, the employer has only moved 25 cents. They keep claiming our last contract was a ‘historic reset.’ There can’t be a reset if we’re still behind.” - Joel Palabrica, Teamsters 38

We’ve now had eleven bargaining sessions, and the employers are still demanding we accept wage increases lower than what they have on the table in Colorado and Southern California, and less than what we settled for in Spokane, Idaho, and Oregon. They’re still pushing a healthcare proposal that we believe would underfund our plan and potentially slash our benefits. And Kroger is still insisting on letting outside vendors take over our work.

“As someone who bargained the 2004 contract, I can tell you right now they’re pulling the same tricks they pulled back then to gut our health care plan.” – Jeff Smith, Safeway

If you want a contract that puts our healthcare fund at risk, gives us lower wages than we deserve, and offers no real staffing solutions, then their proposals are for you. But if you want a contract that protects our healthcare, fixes our staffing issues, and pays us what we’re worth, then it’s time to stand up and fight back.

“Do they know who they’re dealing with? We’re 3000 and Teamsters 38. We’re strong, we stand together, and we’re not afraid. Now’s the time to act.” - J’Nee DeLancey, Ballard Town and Country

Our Vote is coming!

No matter what happens at the bargaining table this month, we will vote on the grocery contract on June 3,4,5. Rally your co-workers and stay tuned for exact dates and locations of the votes.

Next bargaining dates: May 12, 13, 19, 20, 21.