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.

We Continue Our Fight Against the Kroger/Albertsons Merger as the FTC Trial Enters Final Week, More Trials to Follow

UFCW 324 Members' Rally Was Covered on ABC 7 in LA September 13, 2024

Dear Grocery Store Members,

Since the trial of the Federal Trade Commission's lawsuit to stop the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons began on August 26, workers have been at the courthouse, talking to the media, and talking to customers about how damaging this would be for workers, customers, and our communities. We've been doing this work for nearly two years and we'll continue to do it until we finally put a stop to this disastrous merger.

The federal court case is expected to conclude on Tuesday, September 17, and the judge could make a decision on whether or not to approve the FTC's request for what is called a "preliminary injunction" as early as the first week of October. If the injunction is granted, the merger would be put on hold until after a full court case on the merits of the merger is done.

Meanwhile, on Monday, September 16, the Washington State Attorney General's lawsuit to block the merger will begin its trial in Seattle. The Colorado Attorney General's lawsuit to block the merger is scheduled to start on September 30.

The outspoken work of grocery store members and our community partners, as well as many enforcement agencies like the FTC and Attorneys General, have all been central to the successful efforts so far to stop the proposed mega-merger of Kroger and Albertsons.
 

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Kroger's Q2 Earnings Call

Kroger held its 2nd quarter earnings call on Thursday, September 12, and it showed what we've been saying all along: Kroger is doing just fine, and doesn't need this merger to compete. Same store sales were up 1.2% (higher than expected) and the company pointed to higher online sales and increased loyalty households as drivers of stronger sales and growing private label brands as a driver of increased profitability. Notably, these areas—ecommerce capacity, customer loyalty and private label manufacturing—are ones that C&S Wholesale Grocery (the proposed buyer of 579 divested stores if a merger were allowed) lacks, underscoring concerns that C&S would not be able to operate those stores in a sustainable way.

Kroger also discussed strong profits in the pharmacy sector and acknowledged pharmacies as a leading cause of loyalty. We've pointed out time and time again that C&S has little to no experience managing pharmacies that are a lifeline to our communities.

Also of note, company officials claimed that shrink (the loss from theft or other causes) has been improving, though is still elevated, and that OSHA incident rates are currently at record lows. Members, who actually work in the stores, paint a very different picture of understaffed stores with high rates of shoplifting rates and significant health and safety risks.
 

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In the News

UFCW Locals 7, 324, 400, 770, 1564, and 3000 have held press conferences, store actions, webinars and interviews to raise our concerns to the public through more than a thousand media stories from coast to coast since the very first day Kroger and Albertsons announced their proposed plan to merge. Time and again grocery store workers, sharing their experiences, have proven to be a critical part of those news stories.

Most recently, several stories around the FTC trial have been noteworthy:
 

• Stop the Merger Rally of UFCW 324 highlighted on ABC 7 in California
• NPR - All Things Considered - Shoppers and workers that stand to be affected by a Kroger-Albertsons merger weigh in
• New York Times: A Trial Asks: If Grocery Rivals Merge, Do Workers Suffer? - Front page of the Business section
• Reuters: Surging grocery prices in focus as US tries to stop Kroger deal
• AP: Kroger and Albertsons defend merger plan in federal court against US regulators' objections
• Cincinnati Enquirer: Deleted texts, grocery prices: CEOs testify in Kroger-Albertsons merger case

You can find more of the most recent news coverage on the Stop the Merger website news page >>

Protecting the jobs and collective bargaining strength of union workers and keeping choice and price competition for our customers are key reasons for our long-standing and loud opposition to the proposed merger. We recently launched a Stop the Merger customer petition to continue to build public support that has already garnered thousands of signatures! Please help spread the word about our petition by sharing www.nogrocerymerger.com/petition.

We hear from customers all over the country that Kroger and Albertsons' proposed mega-merger threatens our communities with store closures, food and pharmacy deserts, thousands of laid-off unionized grocery store workers, and higher prices.

You can take action by encouraging your co-workers, family members, fellow shoppers, friends, and others in the community to sign the petition to show Kroger and Albertson that they are opposed to this disastrous proposal.

Sign and share the petition >>

In solidarity,
The Stop the Merger Coalition

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.

PRMCE - Update for Inpatient Rehab:

On July 11, 2024, we met with Providence Everett (PRMCE) management and continued to negotiate over the closure of the inpatient rehab at the Pacific Campus.

There are ongoing discussions to gain clarity from Providence on the transfer of caregivers and the benefits that will be moving with the caregivers that choose to go to Lifepoint.

We recommend that each caregiver make their own decision regarding the job offer from Lifepoint based on their personal circumstances. If you do not accept a position at Lifepoint now, we are unsure if a position will be available for you in the future. Nonetheless, all Pro, Technical, and RN bargaining unit members have the option to take a vacant position at the Colby Campus using the bumping language in their contracts.

Moreover, we presented a counter proposal that maintained PTO/EIB cashout and other benefits for all laid-off employees.

We have an additional bargaining date set for July 17, 2024. On July 18 we would like to invite you to join a Zoom meeting to give an update and answer any questions you may have. As this closure and layoff has the potential to impact caregivers at both the Pacific and Colby campuses, all workers from both inpatient rehab and acute care are encouraged to attend.

If you have any questions, please contact Jack Crow (Pro and Tech Union Rep) or Anthony Cantu (RN Union Rep).

Zenith American Solutions - New Wage Rates and Retro Payments Scheduled August 8 Paycheck

As part of our contract, which we ratified on June 25, Zenith agreed that the new wage rates would be implemented retroactively to April 1, 2024.While we had hoped that Zenith would complete the necessary calculations in time for the July 19 paycheck, Zenith has informed UFCW 3000 that this process will not be completed in time.

Based on Zenith’s communications, we expect that these new wage rates, as well as retro pay and repayment of health insurance premiums, will all appear on your August 2 paycheck.

If you have questions about this process, or what to expect on your August 2 paycheck, please reach out to your Union Representative Jack Crow at (206) 436-6614.

PRMCE Union Grievance Newsletter June 2024

Through grievances, we can enforce our contracts and assert our rights! If you have experienced issues with your supervisor not following the contract language, please reach out to your RN union rep, Anthony Cantu, at (206) 436-6566, or Pro/Tech union rep Jack Crow at (206) 436-6614.

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Labor & Industries Meal Period Guidance

On July 1, L&I will begin to enforce compensatory damages for missed or untimely meal periods. As a result of this new rule, Providence has added more meal period questions to the Kronos time clock. We encourage you to do the optional training on the Kronos changes so you can correctly log your meal periods. If you do not receive appropriate compensation for untimely or missed meal periods, we encourage you to file a complaint with L&I here.

Additionally, we currently have an active grievance which is on Step 3 for Pros, Techs, and RNs. We are seeking compensation for missed and untimely meal periods. We are also looking into potential litigation over this matter.

An example from L&I guidance:
Jimmy works a 12-hour shift as a nurse in a regional hospital. On his last shift, Jimmy received only one hour-long lunch break at the fifth hour of his shift. Jimmy has not received compliant meal periods for this shift because he did not receive his second, 30-minute meal period and he worked more than five hours after his first meal period ended without starting that second meal period. The second meal period is a missed meal period. Jimmy must be paid 11 working hours for the time he worked and must also receive an additional 30 minutes of pay at his agreed wage rate because of the missed meal period.
Pay for Missed Break: 30 minutes
Pay for Additional Time Worked: None

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Meal Periods/Time Clock Rounding Class Action Lawsuit

Providence has appealed King County Superior Court’s decision on the class action lawsuit (Bennett et al v. Providence Health Systems) regarding missed pay for time clock rounding and missed second meal periods. This lawsuit covers all Providence hourly employees who were employed from September 2018 to May 2023. We will be keeping an eye on the Appellate Court’s decision, which likely won’t occur for several months.

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RN Contract Signature

We are working through finalizing the contract with PRMCE. We have found typos in the document they submitted to us and have asked them to correct the typos. Although the final contract has not been signed, we have a valid and enforceable agreement. Please refer to the redline in the meantime: ufcw3000.org/find-your-contract/2015/2/12/providence-regional-medical-center-everett-rn-contract

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RN Anniversary Wage Increases/Years of Service Step Progression

This grievance concerns RNs who did not receive their step increase between February 21, 2024, and March 2024 and did not receive an additional step. PRMCE responded to the grievance stating that they are working on providing retroactive pay to nurses owed step increases and are still getting their system in place to track additional step progressions. We find their answer unacceptable and are waiting to meet with PRMCE for Step 2.

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RN Low Census Extra Shift Incentive

PRMCE responded to our grievance and stated that the new extra shift incentive language allows them to cancel/low census incentive shift RNs prior to travelers/agency RNs. We strongly disagree with PRMCE and believe that incentive shift RNs should be low censused with premium shift RNs. We are awaiting Step 3 meeting dates.

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RN Low Census Index

PRMCE has not provided access to the low census index in every unit. The low census index tracks each nurse’s low census hours and helps determine the low census order. We are waiting for PRMCE’s response to our Step 2 meeting.

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RN FMC Per Diem Scheduling

We have filed a demand to bargain for FMC per diem RNs who have been told they can only pick up 12-hour shifts. We believe this is a change in employment conditions. Additionally, we filed a grievance for FMC RNs who are being excluded from incentive shift pay, even though they have worked two shifts in a pay period. We will be meeting with PRMCE on July 29 to bargain over these changes.

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Inpatient Rehab Closure

Providence has announced they will be closing inpatient rehab sometime in October 2024 and moving inpatient rehab services to an offsite Lifepoint/Providence facility. We are currently bargaining with PRMCE over the effects of this closure. Our next bargaining date is on July 17.

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RN Self-Scheduling

Providence announced that some units will be moving from templates to self-scheduling. We have demanded to bargain over the effects of this change and are awaiting a meeting date.

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RN Biweekly Weekend Rotation

Around June 19, Providence announced RNs will be working weekends biweekly to be “compliant” with the weekend language in Article 8. Under the new contract, we changed the definition of a weekend but did not change weekend scheduling language: “The Medical Center will make a good-faith effort to schedule all regular full-time and part-time nurses for every other weekend off.” We believe Providence is misinterpreting this language. We will be having a discussion with Providence next week to resolve this issue. If our discussion is not productive, we will be taking necessary next steps like a grievance.

Message from our pension administrators about delays in service for members

UFCW 3000 has addressed the problem with processing new pension applications with Zenith, who administers the Sound Pension Plan Trust. They are addressing the backlog of applications and have apologized for the delays. Thank you to the members who contacted us about critical issue. Zenith has issued a letter apology that we are posting here.

Multicare Health System - Our Patience Is Running Thin

Your Union Negotiating Committee met with MultiCare again on Thursday, April 18, starting the day with all outstanding proposals awaiting response from the Employer.

Despite our team being onsite and ready to negotiate by 9:30 AM, we were kept waiting until the afternoon to receive a proposal from management. During this delay, our committee utilized the downtime to strategize our next steps, yet we found it both inefficient and disrespectful to be left without a proposal to review for much of the day.

MultiCare’s counter proposal fell short of expectations, totaling fourteen pages with only minor changes from their previous offer. Furthermore, their proposal didn’t include a response to our wage proposal as MultiCare said they won’t have a response until next month at the earliest. 

Our committee expressed our frustration with MultiCare directly, warning management that our patience is not infinite. We are here to bargain in good faith, working together to find creative solutions to serious workplace issues, not to just pass papers back and forth. 

UFCW Local 3000 members at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane are on an unfair labor practice strike this week, the second against the health system in less than 6-months. Providence has repeatedly made the mistake of testing the patience of workers by failing to come to the table to bargain in good faith and it would be unwise for MultiCare to make a similar mistake. 

Our Negotiating Committee is scheduled to meet with MultiCare again on May 1, with additional bargaining dates scheduled through the end of June.

“We’re ready to work together, but it takes two sides willing to engage. MultiCare needs to step up and show they’re serious about reaching an agreement.” 

— Cheyenne Hannaman, Medical Laboratory Scientist @ Tacoma General Hospital

Join us, along with your friends, family, and MultiCare coworkers for a Union Family Day! RSVP NOW!

IBEW Local 76 Hall
3049 S 36th St
Tacoma, WA 98409
Saturday, May 4
11 AM — 2 PM

Contract Action Team Meetings:
Monday, May 6
9AM — RSVP Online
12PM — Tacoma General in Bunker Conference Room
5PM — RSVP Online

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.

Update on Ongoing Efforts to Stop Mega Merger as We Build Collective Strength to Protect and Improve Grocery Store Workers' Jobs

Good News on Stopping the Proposed Mega-Merger

As you may have heard, on February 26, after a massive 16-month effort by our collective of UFCW Local unions and others, we accomplished an important goal of getting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to officially file a lawsuit to stop the proposed mega-merger of Kroger and Albertsons. Nine states’ Attorneys General joined that FTC legal challenge. The Attorneys General of the states of Washington and Colorado also filed separate lawsuits on January 15 and February 14, respectively.

This is very good news in our campaign to protect workers, shoppers, and the community from the negative impacts that would result if this proposed merger were allowed. But the effort to stop the merger still has a way to go.

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What's Next in This Legal Process?

The legal process will likely continue for some time until one of two things happens:

1. The Federal Judge in Portland, OR, has set a date for August 26, 2024, for the trial to begin on the FTC case. The WA and CO trials can move ahead separately, but they could be coordinated with others as well. Those trials could continue until an outcome is determined.

Or:

2. The Merger Agreement of Kroger and Albertsons has an “outside date” of mid-October 2024 (two years after when it was announced) after which the companies can simply abandon the deal without paying any financial penalty to the other party, so it is also possible that Kroger and Albertsons will simply withdraw their proposed merger.

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What’s Next for Our Grocery Store Companies?

It’s time for Kroger and Albertsons to invest in grocery store workers, our customers, and our communities instead of wasting years and billions of dollars on a failed merger proposal. These companies have been doing very well and have made billions of dollars in profit in recent years. They should be making more investments in better-staffed stores, in higher retention of workers with better pay, benefits, and training, and in lower food prices for shoppers. These investments will result in Kroger and Albertsons becoming stronger companies.

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UFCW Local Members Taking Action Together for Stronger Contracts

In addition to fighting the proposed mega-merger that would cause harm to thousands of grocery store workers and millions of customers, our collective group of local UFCWs is also taking action to affirmatively improve our contracts, organize more unionized grocery stores, and more.

• Local 400 Kroger Grocery Store members in West Virginia approve new contract with major improvements after almost going on strike.

• Local 770+324 held a Rally for Food 4 Less Workers starting Contract in Southern California. Here is a video from the event as well as local ABC 7 TV News coverage from Los Angeles.

• UFCW Local 7 and 770 Members featured in national In These Times article: “The Mega Grocery Merger That Would Pay the Price For, The Kroger-Albertsons merger is a threat to grocery workers everywhere. Let’s join the fight to stop it.”

• UFCW Local 5 members at the Kroger-owned Foods Co recently ratified a new contract that includes some major improvements including: $4.50 wage increase over term of contract for top rate, large ratification bonus, an increase in all wage progressions, and a reduced amount of time to reach the experienced rate for all purpose clerks.

• Kroger workers vote to join Local 3000 in central Washington and hold Informational Pickets in eastern Washington city of Spokane for a stronger contract. KHQ 6 TV Spokane, WA covered the action for local news.

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FAQ - Does Albertsons Need to Sell? No!

After the merger is stopped, some have said that Albertsons will just be sold to some other company. That’s just not true. Before the merger proposal, a super-majority of Albertsons’ stock was owned by six massive private equity investors who wanted to sell their shares to a single buyer. But during the past 24 months, those large investors have sold the majority of their shares in Albertsons, and we expect they will continue to sell their remaining shares on the NY Stock Exchange after the merger is blocked.

The alternative—trying to sell Albertsons in whole or in part to a different buyer—would be very unlikely. Court documents show that in the summer of 2022, there were no other bidders aside from Kroger, so a new buyer would likely offer a significantly lower value for the company. Based on Albertsons’ current stock price (which is still significantly below the Kroger buyout price), the company’s total enterprise value is approximately $20 billion, or nearly $9 million per store. To put that in perspective, the current divestiture plan to C&S Wholesale proposes to pay about half of that amount. So, selling to C&S or to anyone else at that price would destroy significant value for Albertsons shareholders. And again, the company is doing well financially, and there is no need to sell. Recent quarterly reports show Albertsons is doing even better than Kroger.

Providence Meal Waiver and Shift Length Changes

UFCW 3000 has filed an unfair labor practice charge against all Providence hospitals for implementing shift length changes and not bargaining to an impasse with us over the meal waiver. Additionally, we have filed grievances since Providence changed work schedules without the caregivers' consent and have not been paying members for missed or late second meal periods.

Given Providence's decision to proceed with extending shift lengths, we advise 10-hour and 12-hour shift workers to carefully consider their options. You may choose to accept an extended shift with two meal periods or opt to waive the second meal period and retain your current shift length. If you opt to waive the second meal period, you retain the right to revoke this decision at any time through your core leader. However, we strongly advise against waiving the timing of your meal period, as you are entitled to 30 minutes of pay for late meal periods.

*"Question 1) I am voluntarily requesting to waive my second unpaid meal period if I am entitled to one." *

Recommendation: ACCEPT means your shift length will remain the same or DECLINE means your shift will be extended, and you will receive two meal periods as a 10-hour and 12-hour shift worker.

*"Question 2) I am voluntarily requesting to take my unpaid meal periods at a time that may not be within a two-to-five-hour block of work." *

Recommendation: DECLINE means if your meal period is not within the two-to-five-hour block, then you should receive 30 minutes of pay. You can file a complaint with L&I if you are not paid accordingly.

>> Track your late meal periods here!

>> If you feel that you have been coerced into signing the meal waiver by Providence, we strongly encourage you to file a complaint with L&I.

Providence St. Peter Hospital RN - Grievance Update

Providence St. Peter Hospital RN - Grievance Update

Being a union member at PSPH means that we have a stronger voice and the right to collectively bargain with our employer.

Through the bargaining process, our members have fought to improve our workplaces by bargaining for strong benefits, better pay, and robust safety procedures. We also have the right to make our voices heard and build power by organizing around workplace issues, organizing non-union workers into our union, and participating together in community and political actions, such as advocating for safer staffing through legislation and in our contract. Over the past several months, PSPH has allegedly violated our contract in a number of ways. Below is a summary of the grievances we have filed against these violations. If you have any additional questions or have been affected by one of these violations, contact the MRC at (866) 210-3000.

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PSPH RN et al. Work on Day Off Premiums

Filed November 9, 2023 Step 1 Meeting: March 21, 2024

In 2022, our union bargaining team negotiated improvements to the Incentive Shift Letter of Understanding (LOU) and moved that LOU into the body of the PSPH RN Contract as Article 9.16. Those improvements included immediate access to time and a half pay or double time, dependent on RN’s FTE, for picking up an extra shift. This change was implemented to further incentivize picking up extra shifts and protecting RNs from loss of all premium pay in the event the RN missed a shift due to illness.

This was a huge win.

Recently, members noticed that the new Work On Day Off language is being challenged both directly and through timekeeping errors. We have discovered that time and a half pay and double-time pay (OT/DT) are subject to additional approval by Kronos timekeepers and that this has led to multiple errors resulting in RNs getting paid less than the contractual rate. This includes the appropriate rate of pay based on FTE worked being erroneously denied due to illness and additional premiums such as Charge, Preceptor, Certification Pay, and Overtime or Double Time rates not being included as an RN’s regular rate of pay as established in the contract.

A group grievance has been filed on behalf of all PSPH RNs to ensure that Providence follows the contract and compensates RNs for any and all lost wages and premiums. We are currently working to set grievance meeting dates.

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PSPH RN et al Work on Day Off Shift Requests

Filed December 21, 2023 Step 1: TBD

When our union bargaining team negotiated changes to the Incentive Shift LOU in 2022, one of the most important changes was the removal of the bidding process. On the 21st day of the scheduling period, FTE RNs are able to select open shifts according to the language in the CBA. The goal was for us to remove the chaos of the “bidding” process that accompanied the original Incentive Shift LOU. We believe the new language changed that.

Nurses noticed that we were not being notified timely if approved for the extra shifts as selected. Instead, the Employer has reverted to the previous practice, and we believe they are “screening” shift selections for the “cheapest” RN requesting the shift. If this is true, it would be a violation of our union contract and in direct contradiction of the conversations the PSPH RN bargaining team had with management during contract negotiations in 2022.

We have filed a grievance demanding that PSPH honor the language they agreed to in bargaining and immediately ensure that requesting or selecting extra shifts will be based on a first-come, first-serve basis as intended. Meeting dates have been requested, and we will report back with news and updates.

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PSPH RN et al Team Leader Pay

Filed November 2, 2023. Step 1 TBD

RNs in several units noticed they were being offered “Team Leader Pay” premiums for assuming partial Charge RN or precepting duties. This premium is not in the CBA and has not been negotiated with the Union.

Our Union filed a grievance not only to stop this practice and to ensure the Employer follows its own policies regarding appointed assignments. The Employer ceased the practice once the grievance was filed, but we have requested to meet in order to address concerns that Charge duties are being assigned piecemeal to multiple RNs to avoid paying Charge Premium. We are also exploring filing an Unfair Labor Practice charge for creating a new premium without first negotiating with us.

If you believe your unit is also being affected, please contact your union representative Madison Derksema or MRC directly with concerns. We are committed to holding the Employer accountable and ensuring RNs are paid the correct premium pay!

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PSPH RN West SADU Mandatory OT

Filed January 23, 2024 Step 1/Bargaining Date TBD

RNs working in Surgery West have been notified they will be “scheduled late” on a rotational basis in violation of the Washington State RCW regarding Mandatory Overtime.

Our Union filed a grievance on behalf of impacted RNs and have issued a demand to bargain over scheduling changes and implementing call in accordance with the CBA.

We have requested bargaining dates from the employer and will work to keep you all updated as we work through this process.

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As all of the grievances above progress updates will be sent including information on the grievance meetings, next steps, and any potential resolution. In the meantime, please contact your union representative Madison Derksema or MRC directly with issues or concerns.

Providence St. Peter Case Manager RNs MOU Ratified!

On Friday, February 23, a supermajority of Case Manager RNs voted to ratify our Memorandum of Understanding. This historic win, after nearly a year of bargaining, places us into the larger body of the Union bargaining unit with 1,100 other RNs at Providence St. Peter. It also assures us of the protections of all the provisions of the Union contract.

We want to thank our co-workers for standing in solidarity with us through what was a much lengthier process than we anticipated. If there are any questions, please reach out to Union Steward Mary Briles or call Union Representative Madison Derksema at (206) 436-6603.

Our Union Bargaining Team (left to right): Mary Briles, Case Manager; Melissa Macchiarella, Case Manager; [not pictured]: Alison Studeman, Case Manager

FTC Rejects Kroger - Albertsons Proposed Megamerger!

Press Release: UFCW Locals 5, 7, 324, 400, 770, 1564, 3000

For immediate release: February 26, 2024
Contact: Tom Geiger, UFCW 3000, 206-604-3421

UFCW Local Unions Applaud the FTC Decision to Reject Kroger and Albertsons Proposed Megamerger

UFCW local unions representing more than 100,000 grocery store employees working at Albertsons and Kroger-owned stores in over a dozen states and the District of Columbia applaud the FTC Decision to reject this proposed megamerger.

UFCW local unions have loudly and soundly opposed the proposed mega-merger of Kroger and Albertsons since day one because the megamerger would have resulted in lost jobs, closed stores, food deserts, and higher prices with reduced food choices – all of this would have been destructive for workers, consumers, and entire communities. Importantly, the FTC decision recognizes the threat that the merger would have caused goes beyond consumers and calls out that it would also have damaged essential grocery store workers’ wages, benefits and working conditions.

The FTC deliberations over the past 16 months, and the evidence that was gathered directed their well-founded decision. This is a step in the right direction for building a better food system in this country. Now we need to do all we can to help defend this decision and to turn the discussion towards building a better system that is more accountable to workers, shoppers, and the community.

The coalition of UFCW locals 5, 7, 324, 400, 770, 1564 and 3000 have been instrumental in the opposition to the proposed merger from the very beginning. Hundreds of actions, news stories, meetings with grocery store members, community, regulators and others and additional events have been part of that effort. Below is a varied sampling of some highlighted examples of this work.

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Linked here are a more full list of media coverage, and a long list of opposition coalition members:

October 2022

10/13 – Kroger and Albertsons, without any warning, make announcement of proposed merger.

10/13 – Group of local UFCW unions, taking advantage of close relationships forged through supportive and collaborative efforts with each other’s collective bargaining with national grocers, quickly convene and issue joint statement immediately raising concerns about the proposal. Within hours the initial news coverage that had simply contained Kroger’s statement becomes a broader story including very strong opposition and concerns.

10/22  – Joint press release by local UFCWs flags the proposed massive payout of $4 Billion by Albertsons to wealthy shareholders as part of the proposed merger. News coverage includes KIRO 7 TV story.

10/26 -  Joint press release applauding lawsuits filed by Attorneys General in multiple jurisdictions to halt Albertsons special $4 billion payout to wealthy shareholders as part of the proposed merger which Albertsons initially announced would take place in early November.  The Washington State AG case succeeds in halting this rushed payment. While it ends up being allowed to proceed, it is not until early 2023 and only after under-oath testimony from company executives disclosing critical inside information that had been unknown to the public and exposed some of the key motivations behind the proposed merger.

November 2022

11/29 Held in-person Press Conference in Washington DC with Presidents and members from the six local UFCWs of the newly formed coalition from across 12 states and the District of Columbia  (Southern CA - UFCW 324 and 770, Northern CA – UFCW 5; Washington – UFCW 3000; CO & Wyoming – UFCW 7; DC and surrounding states – UFCW 400) and Teamsters local 38 representing over 100,000 Kroger and Albertsons. The press conference was held immediately prior to a planned US Senate Subcommittee hearing on the proposed merger and helped tell the story of the negative impacts of such a merger in local and national TV, print, and radio coverage.

December 2022

12/3 – Article goes into details about concerns. “EVERYONE SHOULD BE VERY SKEPTICAL OF THE SUPPOSED BENEFITS OF THE KROGER-ALBERTSONS MERGER - Kroger can’t help but promote its own interests over customers.”

January 2023

1/23 – Ongoing opposition by states and UFCW locals discussed in Supermarket News article.. 

February 2023

2/1 – More Perfect Union posts video discussing harms and concerns of proposed merger.

2/15 - Colorado Attorney General begins series of statewide listening sessions to hear from workers, community and others about their reactions to the proposed merger. UFCW Local 7 members attend these meetings and provide critical concerns about the proposal.

March 2023

3/24 – Launch of national coalition “NoGroceryMerger.com” and website as a one-stop for the anti-merger efforts with over 100 organizations. This also becomes a place to chronicle much of the media coverage around the country about the opposition and provides a degree of a check and balance to the Kroger and Albertson’s PR machinery. https://www.nogrocerymerger.com/news

April 2023

4/4-4/13 – Grocery store workers take actions in front of stores across the nation to connect with customers and share concerns about the proposed merger and how it would harm workers and customers with closed stores, lay-offs, higher prices, and in some locations food deserts. 

May 2023

After months of deliberation and ultimately a unanimous vote at the UFCW International Convention opposing the merger, UFCW International Union announces opposition to the proposed Kroger Albertsons merger. National press coverage is widespread including a Wall Street Journal headline: “Biggest Grocery Union Opposes $20 Billion Kroger-Albertsons Deal - UFCW International is concerned about potential divestitures and stores’ future viability.”

June 2023

6/29 – A week of actions held by UFCW grocery store workers across the nation include many in California that generated local press coverage like KTLA 5 TV story: Southern California grocery workers rally against Albertsons-Kroger merger (youtube.com) 

July 2023

7/26 – Coalition of UFCW locals issue statement condemning announced pay-outs of over $146 million to top executives if merger were approved.  Coverage includes Cincinnati Enquirer article.

August 2023

8/23 – State Treasurers raise concerns about proposed merger. News stories include Bloomberg Law article: “Kroger Grocery Deal Will Harm Workers State Treasurers Tell FTC”

September 2023

9/20 – National press conference held by coalition of local UFCWs to expose concerns about the recently announced divestiture to C&S Wholesale. Generates significant local and national press coverage and begins the public discussion of major concerns about C&S as an inadequate proposed remedy to the proposed mergers anti-trust challenges. Results in many stories including Supermarket News story titled “UFCW cites ‘echoes of Haggen’ in proposed C&S deal”

9/27 – UFCW local 7 hold Town Hall with members to update on opposition to proposed merger and take questions. Thousands attend.

October 2023

10/30 – Progressive Grocer published op-ed titled: Opinion: Kroger-Albertsons Proposed Mega-Merger Is a Threat to Workers and Shoppers Alike

November 2023

11/1 - FTC Chair Khan hold listening session in Denver and hears widespread concerns from workers, consumers, suppliers and others. Significant press coverage of event includes stories like the Colorado Public Radio story: “Grocery workers ask FTC chair to stop Kroger Albertsons merger during Denver visit” UFCW members from California, Washington and Colorado attend this important event to share their stories.

11/11 – Marshall Steinbaum, an economic from University of Utah, issues report that was supported by coalition of local UFCWs 5, 7, 324, 400, 770 and 3000, titled: Evaluating the Competitive Effect of the Proposed Kroger-Albertsons Merger in Labor Markets

11/14 – American Economic Liberties Project, hold national briefing and press event with UFCW grocery store members and representatives from five additional organizations including: Ranch Foods, Independent Grocers Association, Open Markets Institute, Farm Action and Alaska Public Interest Research Group

December 2023

12/11 – Teamsters International issues strong statement in opposition to merger divestiture proposal: TEAMSTERS CALL ON FTC TO REJECT KROGER-ALBERTSONS PROPOSED ASSET SALES TO C&S

January 2024

1/15 – UFCW local coalition Issues statement applauding Washington State Attorney General Lawsuit – with our quote in local and national press coverage of the lawsuit. Coverage includes national AP story: “Washington State Sues to Block Proposed Merger of Kroger and Albertsons Grocery Chains”

1/23 - Held two webinars (1/23 AM and PM) to update members on details of the proposed merger and collective efforts to fight the proposal with over 500 members in attendance.

1/25 - Held multiple meetings with Kroger as well as C&S Wholesale. We found out no new information in the meetings that dissuaded us from our position of opposition, in fact we found out additional concerning information as well continued to ask for information that was still not provided.

1/26 - Held national online press conference (1/26) to continue to clarify our position of opposition so media and members of the public understood our reasons and the various threats to workers, consumers and communities by both the proposed merger and the proposed divestiture plan – with over 50 reporters in attendance. Generated local and national press coverage educating the public, workers and others. Example: https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/grocery-worker-union-gives-update-proposed-kroger-albertsons-merger-timeline/

February 2024

2/1 - UFCW 3000 and Teamsters 38 hold live Telephone Town Hall to update and educate members, and answer questions of members with thousands of members in attendance.

2/14 – Colorado Attorney General files lawsuits against the merger. Local and national coverage. One example: CBS News Colorado: https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-attorney-general-files-lawsuit-block-merger-between-kroger-albertsons/

2/22 – The Washington State Legislature passed SB 6007 – a new law to provide protections for grocery store workers from the harm that can result when chains merge and the consequences include layoffs and store closures. 

PRMCE Post-Ratification Meeting

Join us on Thursday, February 29, at 7:30 PM for a Zoom meeting. We'll dive into the nuances of the new contract language and touch on topics such as the meal waiver, participation in the Hospital Staffing Committee (HSC), strategies for further improving workplace conditions at PRMCE, and discuss voter turnout.

While our contract was ratified, we must ensure that our new contract is enforced and we hold PRMCE accountable!

Thursday, February 29 at 7:30 PM

Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.