REI Workers - Bargaining Update

Last Thursday and Friday, we met with REI’s attorneys to continue first contract negotiations. Our UFCW 3000 local leadership joined us at the table to show their support and amplify our voices. We bargained back and forth over language on Communication, Anti-Discrimination, Union Representation, New Technology, and Job Vacancies & Promotions. We also came to a Tentative Agreement on Successorship and Severability. But with no representatives who actually work for REI present and their attorneys holding firm to one-sided proposals, it still feels as though REI is stalling and avoiding making real progress towards an agreement. To make REI uphold its co-op values and to respect and invest in its union workers across the country, we need to share our stories and get our community involved in our fight.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

We’re supporting Shemona Moreno in her candidacy for a seat on REI’s board of directors in 2025! Learn more at ourREI.com:

Shemona Moreno is a proud Latinx & Black woman and lifelong activist who sees social justice, climate justice, and playing outdoors as inextricably linked. It is for her family and friends that she works tirelessly to fight the systems of oppression that have led us to our current climate crises. It is for her family and friends that she works to build a community that is resilient, beautiful, and thriving — where ALL are welcome. She started her path into 350 Seattle as a volunteer during the Defund the Dakota Access Pipeline Campaign in 2016 and has worked her way up to being the Executive Director of 350 Seattle, a member of the 350 Seattle Board, and a representative for the 350 National Local Group Network.

Shemona believes REI should be leading the way with good union jobs, not blocking progress by union-busting and silencing the voices of its own employees. That’s not the REI Shemona knows and loves. She’s running to be a voice for the people in green vests who make REI great but who are not allowed a voice on the co-op’s board of directors.

GET INVOLVED! We’ll be leafletting around our community to support Shemona’s campaign and to raise awareness about our fight for a fair contract. Sign up here:

In front of the Bellingham store: 

Saturday, November 16 • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
REI Bellingham • 400 36th St, Bellingham, WA 98225

December dates & opportunities in Seattle and Bellevue to follow!

Mountains to Sound Greenway Annual Celebration

November 14, 5:30 PM in Seattle.

Mountains to Sound Greenway has many connections with REI, including CEO Artz and Sally Jewell. We’ll be attending this free event to chat with environmental leaders and let them know what’s going on with the campaign! If you are interested, sign up here: 

UPCOMING NEGOTIATIONS

We bargain next on December 16 and 17. To observe online, check your email for a link or contact a BT member.

Check the REI union Discord for upcoming negotiations around the country.

Our REI Bargaining Team: Alex Pollitt, Sue Cottrell, Tini Alexander, Sharon Martinez, Dan McCann

Card Kingdom - Membership Meeting Update Tenure Wage Grievance Settlement

During our recent membership meeting on October 8th, we presented the settlement reached regarding the tenure wage grievance. By choosing this settlement, we secured the best possible outcome for the entire Card Kingdom bargaining unit. If we had taken the grievance to arbitration, the Employer's interpretation could have been applied, which would have been less favorable for the bargaining unit.

• MOU on Wage Scale Interpretation: The Union and Employer have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding that clarifies the interpretation of the wage scale in Article 21. Members will receive their tenure increases on two specific dates based on their hire date: January 1st for those hired between July 28th and January 1st, and July 27th for those hired between January 2nd and July 27th. This agreement prevents significant inequity that could have arisen from the Employer's initial interpretation, which would have required some members to wait nearly an entire year for their increases. With this new language, no member will have to wait more than six months for their tenure wage increase.

• Compensation for Active Members: Each active bargaining unit member will receive 8 hours of pay.

• Backpay for Former Members: The settlement includes 50% of the backpay owed to former Card Kingdom members who were affected by the pay discrepancy.

If you have any questions regarding this settlement, please reach out to grievance representative Dominic Zinsli at (206) 436-6613 until October 23rd. After that date, your Union Representative, Allison Hanley, will be back from her out-of-state assignment and can be contacted at (206) 436-6586.

SavMart Wenatchee Contract ratified!

Contract ratified!

• Wage Increases

• Longevity Pay

• Healthcare premium Holidays

REI Workers - Gaining Momentum

Our REI campaign is gaining momentum! At the Democratic National Convention, UFCW 3000’s President Faye Guenther spoke to a crowd of WA state delegates about the anti-union tactics REI has been waging against its workers. Through this, delegates helped hand out our petition to get REI representatives at the bargaining table and have committed to support our campaign through political, community, and workplace fights.

Have your friends and family sign the petition here!

Faye Guenther, our union’s Secretary-Treasurer Joe Mizrahi, and chief of staff Sarah Cherin will start joining our bargaining tables with REI. Their attendance at our sessions on August 28 and 29 has already changed the pace. We achieved another Tentative Agreement—successorship (what happens if REI is sold)—and sent 4 additional proposals for REI to consider. In the next few weeks, our bargaining team will finalize a comprehensive proposal and begin negotiating off of a full contract with REI moving forward. 

This week we filed another Unfair Labor Practice against REI based on two major issues:

• Employer’s Refusal to TA Language

• Regressive Bargaining

If you have questions about our ULPs, reach out to our bargaining team.

UFCW staff will be coming through to grab photos and quotes from us at REI to begin using them in our media campaign. If you’re interested in supporting the digital campaign, let one of our bargaining team members know how to get plugged in. 

Our next membership meeting will be 7:00 PM on September 22 at Goods Local Brews in Bellingham (2620 Northwest Ave, Bellingham, WA).

Forward together, not one step back!

REI Bellingham Bargaining Team:
Alex, Tini, Sue, Dan (not pictured): Sharon

Deep Roots - Deep Roots Sale

We received notice last week that Deep Roots has sold their studios to The Best Studio Ever effective August 5, 2024. We know that there are likely many emotions about the unknown and want to share that the Union has reached out to the new owners to have a conversation and determine next steps regarding the collective bargaining agreement and their plans after August 5. As soon as we have more information, we will send out communication to all members.

In the meantime, Deep Roots current management will continue to pay all employees for all wages, commissions, any overtime, and all accrued paid time off earned up to the sale date. If you have questions about any of the compensation listed, please connect with Deep Roots management and let us know if there is support needed. If you have made contributions to the Retirement IRA, you can access your account here.

Now is the time to get involved as a Union steward, helping to support coworkers and organize as needed. Please reach out to Union Representative Dominick Ojeda, (206) 436-6586, if you'd like to get involved, have questions, or if you have helpful information to share as we work through this transition together.

REI - Temperatures Are Rising And So Is The Employer’s Tone

Our negotiations with REI’s attorneys on June 24 and 25 reiterated how important our first contract will be. One of REI’s proposals included removing all past practices from our store, including REDI meetings and Let’s Talks. We know how important these meetings have been to our coworkers, and REI’s attorneys are out of touch with what helps our store run well.

Throughout negotiations these past two days, REI’s attorneys’ questioning about proposals became an opportunity to grandstand against the union, raising their voices and badgering our negotiating committee with hypothetical questions. This is not the tone we want to set with our management team in the Bellingham store, but it is the tone REI’s corporate wants to set with their workers.

After refusing to respond to three proposals and asking for our committee to bargain against itself, we reintroduced a few proposals that have been blanket rejected before. Progress was made on the Anti-Discrimination & Harassment article, and we came to a tentative agreement on the Safety Committee article. Bottom line—we will reach a first contract with REI and bring democracy back to the co-op for customers and our coworkers.

We know progress at the bargaining table is tough, so the way that we move REI is through collective action! Join our meeting on July 21 via Zoom to discuss our plan to put REI through a Summer of Stress until they agree to join the table in good faith.

If you have any questions, reach out to your union rep Dominick Ojeda at (360) 409-0595.

Our Bargaining Committee,
Left to Right: Sharon, Alex,
Not Pictured: Sue, Tini, Dan

Bartell Drugs contract ratified!

Bartell Drugs members unanimously voted to ratify their new contract yesterday! We’ll carry our momentum into our next negotiations with our fellow Rite Aid members in the fall and enforcing our contract every day at work. Physical and electronic copies of the signed agreement will be available soon. If you have any questions about the new contract, please reach out to union Rep Tae Abraham at 360-409-0603.

“Negotiations were often frustrating, but we’re doing everything we can to ensure a better future for our members. I’m proud of how we’ve supported each other through the bankruptcy and I’m hopeful for what’s to come.” – Dani Fisher, Service Associate & Bargaining Team Member

Soon after we started renegotiating our union contract, Rite Aid declared bankruptcy. While we navigated store closures and reduced hours, our bargaining team worked to reach a 1-year agreement for Bartell Drugs members that maintains our benefits, improves our grievance procedures, and includes raises for those that didn’t qualify for 2024 minimum wage increases. The short-term contract aligns our expiration date with our fellow UFCW 3000 Rite Aid members and lets us go back to the table together after the bankruptcy is settled to continue fighting for the better wages, benefits, and in-store safety we need.

Becoming a union steward is a great way to support your coworkers and enforce your rights on the job. Interested in going through the shop steward training? Reach out to your union Rep!

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

Deep Roots First Contract!

Congratulations winning our first contract at Deep Roots!

After over a year of fighting, last night Deep Roots workers ratified their first contract and the first first contract in the piercing and tattoo industry in WA state! Our momentum should lead us to win even more in our next negotiations and enforce our contract every single day at work. Becoming a union steward is a great way to support your coworkers and enforce your rights on the job. Interested in going through the shop steward training? Reach out to your union rep Dominick Ojeda at 360-409-0595. 

Some physical copies of your contract should be out in the workplace already, but signed agreements will be available online and in person soon. Starting this upcoming Monday, May 13, many of the economic benefits in your contract should start. If you have any questions or see a discrepancy, reach out to your union rep immediately.  

We are all stronger when threaded together! 

"If there are others who feel as we do–that they are overlooked, disrespected, considered replaceable, and underpaid–we encourage them to contact a union. We are all stronger when threaded together!"

Sign the UFCW 3000 Membership Application here! >>

Bartell Drugs TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED!

Bargaining Team: Dani Fisher, Trevor Peterson (former), MaryGrace Diaz (former)

“Negotiations were often frustrating, but we’re doing everything we can to ensure a better future for our members. I’m proud of how we’ve supported each other through the bankruptcy and I’m hopeful for what’s to come.” —Dani Fisher, Service Associate & Bargaining Team Member

Soon after we started renegotiating our union contract, Rite Aid declared bankruptcy. While we navigated store closures and reduced hours, our bargaining team has worked to reach a 1-year agreement for Bartell Drugs members that maintains our benefits, improves our grievance procedures, and includes raises for those that didn’t qualify for 2024 minimum wage increases. The short-term contract aligns our expiration date with our fellow UFCW 3000 Rite Aid members and lets us go back to the table together after the bankruptcy is settled to continue fighting for the better wages, benefits, and in-store safety we need. Our Bartell Bargaining Team unanimously recommends a YES vote!

Secure online vote scheduled for May 20-21, 2024

Voting will be done via secure online balloting beginning Monday, May 20 at 6:00PM to Tuesday, May 21 at 6:00PM. You will need to have a you personal email address up to date with the union in order to get the email with your unique link to vote on the agreement. Make sure you update your contact information at: ufcw3000.org/update-your-information >>

Vote documents including the Highlights summary and full redline will be available for you to review. If you have questions or would like to talk more about the details of the agreement, please reach out to a Bargaining Team member or our Union Representative, Tae Abraham, at 360-409-0603.

Deep Roots - Did You Hear? Tentative Agreement Reached! Vote Scheduled!

After a year of bargaining, we have reached a fully recommended tentative agreement on our first union contract and will hold an in-person meeting the evening of Wednesday, May 8 to review a presentation of the recommended offer and vote. 

We organized our Union to address workplace safety and the reality that many of us struggle paycheck to paycheck to pay rent and other rising costs. This is historic—we are the first retail piercing and tattoo studios to unionize in Washington and possibly the first in the country! We are joining thousands of other workers with UFCW 3000 to set higher standards within our industry and ensure worker’s voices are centered in the future of Retail.

Our bargaining team is unanimously recommending a “YES” vote. 

• Highlights of the tentative agreement include:

• 6-Step Wage Scale with premium differentials for JGS certification and Co- Leads

• Guaranteed wage increases every year on anniversary of employment and January 1

• Commission on ALL Jewelry

• Tips and Employee Discounts

• Continued Healthcare benefit options with process to explore Dental coverage in 2025

• Recognition of Holidays Juneteenth, Labor Day, and Christmas Eve… with time and a half pay

• Paid Time Off

• Workplace Safety language

• Labor Management Committee

• Just Cause Protections and Grievance Procedure to protect from disparate treatment

• … and more!

CONTRACT VOTE SCHEDULED
Wednesday, May 8 at 8:00 PM

“Join us on May 8 to review the agreement with our team, ask questions, and learn about our new rights and benefits. We are excited to talk to everyone about how the contract will benefit us collectively and how we can build on it in the future!”

—Your Bargaining Team, Lexi Otway and Jude Manning 

Questions? Please contact your bargaining team or Union Representative Dominick Ojeda, 206-436-6586.