Your Rights During Flooding and Extreme Weather Events

Once again UFCW 3000 members and communities are facing some extreme fall and winter weather, including recent flooding. It is important to remember that if you, your family, or your coworkers have been affected by extreme weather, you have rights at work, resources through your union, and the support of your community.

Important rights and resources for UFCW 3000 members if your workplace, home, or transportation routes are flooded or evacuated:

1. Just cause protections at work: With a union contract, you have “just cause” protection, meaning you should not be disciplined at work for reasonably having to deal with a circumstance outside of your control like a flood that affects your home, work, or commute to work

   • Be clear in communicating with your employer if you are unable to report to work on time or at all due to flooding or other extreme weather

   • Make sure to invoke your right to union representation if you are called into a meeting that could lead to discipline (we call these “Weingarten Rights,” read more here)

2. The right to a safe workplace: If you feel unsafe at work, report any safety concerns to your worksite safety committee & management right away, and get support from your Shop Steward and/or Union Rep if your concerns are not addressed

3. Union resources: If your home or work is affected by flooding or extreme weather and financial assistance would help, speak with your Union Rep about the UFCW 3000 Membership Assistance Fund. We also have a resource page for power outages and other effects if need be during these events.

4. Mutual aid: As union members, we know standing together and supporting each other is how we really make a difference. If you have ideas for ways to connect with or support fellow UFCW 3000 members in need, talk to a Shop Steward and/or your Union Rep for help with organizing

Extreme weather is dangerous in our workplaces and our communities, which is why UFCW 3000 members, including our Climate Justice Advisory Board, work for climate policies that will help protect us and our future health.

Dockside Cannabis - Contract Negotiations Continue – We're Making Progress!

On July 30, we met again with Dockside Cannabis management to continue negotiations toward your first union contract.

We responded to nearly all of the company's outstanding proposals and had productive discussions at the table. The management said they need time to review our responses, and we're currently working together to schedule our next bargaining dates.

After feedback about the current health insurance, we presented the company with union health plan options that offer better benefits at equal or lower cost for both employees and the employer.

Here's an example comparing one of the union plan options to the company's current base plan (for employee only):

Plan Details	Current Company Plan	Union Plan Option
Deductible	$3,000 individual / $9,000 family	$250 individual / $500 family
Primary Care Visit	$40 copay	$10 copay
Specialist Visit	$40 copay	$25 copay

These plans would provide significantly better access to care and much lower out-of-pocket costs. We've asked the company for more information so we can present exact rates for different coverage levels.

Where We're Getting Closer

We're narrowing in on agreement in some key areas:

• Seniority rights

• Union Representation that includes access to worksite breakroom, bulletin boards, and clear shop steward rights

• Discipline and Discharge like Just Cause language, which means you can't be fired or disciplined without a fair reason and a fair process

• Grievance Procedure that includes a structured process for addressing workplace issues or contract violations

Open Session: Review Proposals & Health Plan Options Q&A

August 13
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

August 13
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Bring your questions, ideas, or just come to listen!

Questions? Contact Aaron Bailey (360) 409-0551 or Chris Arellano 360-409-0241

Have a Heart - Contract Ratified!

On July 30, following vote meetings at all five stores, we're excited to announce that members voted overwhelmingly to ratify our Have a Heart union contract! Our bargaining team fought hard to uplift and protect our members, and we're ready to keep that momentum going as we look to the future.

What's Next?

Our union and Have a Heart will work together to finalize and sign the CBA. Once completed, print copies will be handed out to every store. In the meantime, the redline version of our contract will be available online on our website. Find your contract >>

The new wage structure will go into effect immediately, and anyone whose 2025 anniversary date has already passed will begin receiving their applicable raise. Check the redline or vote summary to determine your increase.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Union Rep, a member of our bargaining team, or your steward!

Union Rep Aaron Bailey abailey@ufcw300.org or call (no text) 206-436-6631 for any questions.

Theorem Cannabis - Bargaining Update

Theorem bargaining team, Haily Nowak and Chloe Casey, cooking up TAs!

Our union bargaining team met with management last week to continue negotiating for our first contract. We proposed an entire draft contract at our first session and in May, Theorem responded to these articles:

• Recognition (defining our unit positions and protecting bargaining unit work)

• Union Security (defining membership, dues processes, and safeguarding our union)

• Union Representation (securing union stewards, bulletin boards, access to our Rep, time off for union business, and new hire orientation)

• Labor Management Committee (creating a protected space to collaboratively address non-contract workplace issues)

• Discipline & Discharge (protecting job security and preventing unfair treatment through just cause and progressive discipline)

• Grievance & Arbitration (creating a process for addressing contract violations)

Theorem also made a Management Rights proposal. After going back and forth on these in June, we're excited to share that we reached three tentative agreements (TAs), securing strong contract language on Recognition, Union Representation, and Labor Management Committee!

We're hopeful that at our next meeting on July 9, we'll make progress on the rest of the non-economics (including Health & Safety and Employment Practices, which includes provisions on job promotions & openings and anti-discrimination). We have also asked management to commit to making an economics counterproposal on July 24, so we can keep pushing forward and win a fair first contract with the wage increases we deserve.

Questions or concerns about work? Want to get more involved with our union? Contact a member of our bargaining team or our Union Rep, Allison Hanley, at (206) 818-6954.

Have a Heart - Bargaining Update

Our Have a Heart bargaining team has been holding out for a tentative agreement that has no takeaways and puts crucial wage increases in everyone's pockets. We successfully pushed back against Have a Heart after the employer proposed to slash everyone's Earned Time Off (ETO), remove daily overtime, and cut security out of the unit, and again when they proposed to reduce ETO for new hires, which would have made recruitment and staffing even harder. After working to find potential solutions to the wage compression caused by the rising cost of living in Seattle and the surrounding areas, our bargaining team has been waiting for over a month for Have a Heart to make a meaningful counteroffer that addresses these pay concerns.

We've reached tentative agreements on expansions to bereavement leave, clarification on inventory disciplines and carve outs for issues caught before sale, and successorship notice in the event the company is sold. We're still fighting for higher ETO accruals for members who have been with Have a Heart for over six years, higher guaranteed annual raise increases for everyone that don't go away after five years of employment, and minimum guarantees for Lead pay. We want Have a Heart to do what's right—keep Have a Heart wages and benefits competitive and fair, so that we can retain our dedicated staff and recruit more who will want to stay.

March on May 1!

We aren't alone in our struggle. In the last few months, the federal government has launched an all-out assault on the working class and our First Amendment rights. On May 1, labor unions, immigrant protection organizations, and workers across America are continuing 139 years of pushing back against the chaos and cruelty. We're showing up in force to May Day marches all around the state. If you've been feeling powerless or like you don't know how to fight back, this is a powerful opportunity to stand together with your community and find the path forward.

Get more info on the marches in Seattle, Spokane, and Yakima & RSVP here >>

Huge Victory for Cannabis Workers!

Our union and cannabis workers around the state have been fighting for years for cannabis grow workers, who had been unjustly left behind by traditional labor protections, to have the same organizing and collectively bargaining rights as other cannabis workers. Thanks to your hard work, our bill ESHB 1141 has passed the House and the Senate! The bill allowing cannabis agricultural workers to organize their workplaces is expected to be signed by the Governor on April 23, 2025. This is a huge victory for cannabis workers, and we look forward to continuing to raise the bar for everyone in our industry.

Bargaining team: Austin Miller (Lead Inventory Coordinator - Belltown), Joe Chaten (Lead Budtender - Skyway), Devin Johansson (Lead Budtender - Greenwood)

Our Union Rep: Aaron Bailey 206-436-6631 (office)

UFCW 3000 Member Days at the Park! Tickets on Sale NOW!

Each year we gather together with fellow UFCW 3000 members across the region for summer days at the park, an opportunity for some union-sponsored family fun and a great chance to meet and talk with other union members.

This year we're excited to add a new summer event for members, supporting our longtime community partner Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Game Day for Domestic Violence Prevention at T-Mobile Park!

Refuse to Abuse Game Day is Sunday, June 16, and for every ticket sold our longtime community partner the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV) receives an $18 donation and attendees get a free Mariners-themed Refuse to Abuse® Dri-fit T-shirt. Tickets are View Level for the Mariners vs. Texas Rangers game and cost $35. WSCADV has shown up for our members in many ways over the years and we look forward to this fundraiser and opportunity to share the belief that domestic violence is 100% preventable!

In addition, our other summer fun events have been popular each year and continue to be a great way to celebrate with family and union friends:

Sunday, June 16: Refuse to Abuse Mariners Game Day (Seattle, WA)
Mariners tickets on sale now through Friday, June 14 at 5pm >>
$35

​Tuesday, August 6: UFCW 3000 Day at Silverwood Theme Park (Athol, ID)
Tickets on sale now through July 19, while supplies last! >>
$40.00 adult/$25.00 youth or senior
Ticket includes:

• all day access to Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Water Park

• all you can eat buffet picnic-style lunch @ the banquet pavilion (starting at 12pm noon)

• unlimited drink refill wristband

Thursday, August 8: UFCW 3000 Day at Wild Waves Theme & Water Park (Federal Way, WA)
Tickets on sale now through July 19, while supplies last! >>
$20.00 adult/$15.00 youth or senior

Friday, September 13: UFCW 3000 Day at the Pendleton Round Up (Pendleton, OR)
Tickets on sale soon

Mfused: L&I Investigation Results

Since the introduction of the new mylar zippered bag packaging at Mfused, members in production have been vocal about the pain and injuries caused to their wrists and hands from constantly opening and pinching these bags closed. Management had attempted to address the situation by ordering bags that supposedly come opened or outsourcing the task to other workers, but they still were not able to find a harmless solution. This led to multiple injuries and claims with Labor & Industries (L&I.) Meanwhile, L&I’s Department of Safety & Health (DOSH) had opened an investigation into a complaint made about the safety of this work. 

After some months and in-depth review from Occupational Hygienists, an Ergonomist, and (unlike most cases,) the head of DOSH, it has been determined that it is unsafe to open bags by hand and pinch bags closed by hand, even for part of a shift. The company has been given multiple serious citations, with one penalty, of which the amount has not been disclosed. Mfused must post a notice of their citations in the workplace for 7 days after it is received in the mail. L&I will not be checking on this, so if it is not seen or comes down early, please notify your shop steward or union rep.  

Employees, whether union members or not, should not be opening product bags by hand at all for any reason. If a batch of bags comes in sealed or partially sealed, please notify your manager and do not open them by hand. It is up to the employer to provide a safe way to get the job done, L&I has recommended finding a tool that can open and seal the bags without harmful repetitive motions. Do not open or seal bags until the company has provided a tool or machine that will help you do it harmlessly. Please notify your union rep when a tool or machine for opening/sealing bags is made available, or if you or another employee are asked to open or seal bags by hand. 

This is a win for members who have been saying that this work has been harmful to them all along, with injuries to show for it. Their voices have now been validated by safety regulators who have the authority to make management listen. 

If you have questions, reach out to your Union Rep.