C.C. FILSON - Tentative Agreement Reached!

We are happy to announce that we've reached a tentative agreement with Filson on the 2025–2028 contract, and on the severance agreement for warehouse workers impacted by the August layoffs.

Your union bargaining team is recommending a "YES" vote!

CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS

• Wage increases across the board for all members

• Improved retirement benefit

• 15-minute breaks (up from 10 minutes)

• Leave of absence available for immigration-related issues

SEVERANCE AGREEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Two weeks of severance pay for every year of service (up to 16 weeks)

• For employees with nine or more years of service: an additional week per year, up to a maximum of 20 weeks total

• Bonuses ranging from $700 to $1,100 based on years of service

Ratification Vote

April 29

Kent Location
6111 South 228th Street, Kent, WA
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Seattle Location
1741 1st Ave S, Seattle, Washington
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM

All members in good standing are encouraged to attend.

Full details of the proposed contract and severance agreement will be available at the meeting.

Our bargaining team: Jared Othieno, Jonathan Pryor, Regina Hill

C.C. Filson - Bargaining Begins… Unfortunately, with Confusion & Lies—So Here’s the Truth:

“Filson offered us a small bag of peanuts for wages and then told us we might lose our jobs—but they weren’t sure. We pushed for more information and a timeline, but they had nothing to give us.”

—Jon, Union Bargaining Committee Member

On Friday, March 28, our union bargaining committee met with Filson to start contract negotiations. The company’s proposal was insulting—just $0.40 over three years. On top of that, they informed us that they might close the Kent distribution center.

The company told us in negotiations, the closure wasn’t definite—they were still deciding whether to extend their lease. However, after bargaining on Friday, we heard reports from members that they were told otherwise.

Members reported that the company claimed the union was notified months ago and that severance and layoff terms had already been agreed to. We want to be clear—this is not true.

We understand that this has caused confusion and mistrust, and members are understandably upset. The company is attempting to divide us with misinformation. Our focus is on negotiating the three-year agreement, and once a decision is made to close the Kent center, we will enter into effects bargaining to negotiate over layoffs and severance.

Despite these challenges, we did reach a few tentative agreements (TAs) on Friday, including limiting the hiring of temp workers to only peak season, so the company will stop replacing full-time jobs with rotating temp workers, and improvements to bereavement leave. We also proposed fair wage increases that keep up with inflation, and increased retirement contributions.

What’s next? We meet with Filson again on Wednesday, April 2, and on April 16-17. We will keep you updated after every session.

Join us for a member update meeting after bargaining on:

• Wednesday, April 2

• Katsu Burger

• 6621 S 211th St #103

• Kent, WA

• 3:15 PM & 6:15 PM

If Filson is closing Kent in August, they must be honest and upfront so workers can plan for their future—and so we can negotiate fair severance and layoff terms.

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative Celia Ponce-Sanchez (206) 436-6581

Bargaining Team: Regina Hill & Jon Pryor

C.C. Filson Vote Passes!

Layoff Severance And Amendments to Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Vote Passes!

If you were affected by the layoff and want more information regarding unemployment UFCW 3000 will be holding a meeting on December 7 from 10am-3pm at the UFCW 3000 Des Moines office, 23040 Pacific Hwy S. Suite 101 Des Moines, WA 98198-7268.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Union Rep Jose Veliz @ 360-409-0615.

C.C. Filson - Layoff severance and amendments to Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Vote

C.C. Filson
Layoff severance and amendments to Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Vote

Last week, we met with Filson’s regarding the upcoming layoff of 25 Manufacturing positions. We reached a tentative agreement that includes severance pay and extends the timeframe for healthcare benefits. Additionally, Filson’s had proposed some amendments to Article 12 to eliminate the Productivity Bonus Pay. We were able to get Filson’s to accelerate the February 1, 2024 wage increases, and provide an additional wage increase for all employees effective April 1, 2024.

We will be holding a vote to allow all members an opportunity to vote on the proposed MOU (Memorandum of Agreement) regarding the layoffs as well as the proposed amendments to the contract.

Vote Details

Monday, November 27
10:30am—3:30pm
C.C. Filson break room, 6111 S 228th Street, Kent, WA 98032

All the details of the proposed amendments will be available at the meeting.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Union Rep Jose Veliz @ 360-409-0615.

CC Filson Layoffs Update

On Wednesday, October 18, we had a meeting with Filson's representatives to discuss their recent announcement of a workforce reduction.

During the meeting, the Employer presented their rationale for the decision to outsource manufacturing to a third party. They also shared their initial proposal, which included severance pay and some amendments to the current collective bargaining agreement.

In response, we requested additional information and are continuing discussions regarding severence and healthcare coverage options for those affected by the layoffs.

Our next meeting with the company is scheduled for Thursday, October 26. We will continue to keep you updated throughout this process. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to your union representative, Jose Veliz at 360-409-0615.

C.C. Filson contract overwhelmingly ratified!

Filson - Contract Ratification Vote Meeting

For CC Filson Union Members in Good Standing

Tuesday, September 13, 2022
11am to 3:30pm

*Updated Meeting Address!
6111 South 228th Street, 
Kent, WA, 98032 

Break Room

All the details of the proposed new contract will be available at the meeting.

C.C. Filson - Historic Pay Increases on the Table

Our Bargaining Committee met with Management and made our economic proposals. Since the beginning of bargaining, Union members have made clear that we need substantial wage increases to just make ends meet. So we proposed:

• Big increases to the minimum pay rates for productivity-based workers. We also questioned Management about why they were paying less than the Minimum Base Rate to production workers, based on their answers the Union will be filing a grievance.

• Historic wage increases and a pay scale for hourly workers that gives recognition for job duties and years of loyal service.

• No changes to the health care cost sharing.

• An employer funded 401(k) retirement program with guaranteed contributions for every hour we work.

We tentatively agreed with Management to put the night work premium in the contract and to increase it to $.50/hr. Filson also had previously proposed a bonus program based on yearly company performance; we told them we could agree to it, but it could not replace wage increases that we need to live.

The Employer said our proposal required serious consideration and number crunching, so they were unable to respond to our proposal immediately and ended bargaining for the day. But we kept on working and drafted Safety and Pandemic contract language that will be ready to present to them at the next bargaining session on August 4.

TIME TO TAKE ACTION

Management may need time to consider our proposals, but we are not going to just sit around and wait. So far we have taken action by buttoning-up, getting trained on spotting Unfair Labor Practices at work, and having a great Unity Day action at work where our community allies turned out to show their support for Filson workers. We aren’t stopping there and won’t until Union members have a fair contract offer to vote on.

Filson needs to see that you are serious about the proposals the Union has on the table. Make sure you are:

• Wearing your Union button everyday

• Participating in Solidarity Wednesdays by wearing a gold Union t-shirt

• Attending the Contract Action Team meeting Friday, July 29 @ 4-6pm, Kent Commons - Olympic Room, 525 4th Ave N Kent, WA 98030. Join us for a more in-depth update on negotiations, planning for further actions, and discussing how we run an effective picket line.

C.C. Filson Company - Contract Negotiations Update

Our union member bargaining team has requested bargaining dates from Filson’s in July.  

During our last bargaining session with Filson our bargaining team proposed:

• Increase break periods to 15 minutes

• Adding Juneteenth as an additional holiday

• Strengthening our vacation language

• Increasing the time Filson must recall us from a layoff

• Allowing more time to bid on an open job

• Increased paid time off for bereavement leave

• Strengthening our just cause language

• New 401k retirement language

Take Action to help fight for a better contract! Join us at the next Contract Action Team Meeting. You can join us any time between these hours.

Friday, July 29 @ 4–6PM
Kent Commons (Olympic Room)
525 4th Ave N , Kent, WA 98030

Attending a Contract Action Team meeting is a great way to get contract negotiation updates, discuss workplace issues, and plan future workplace actions to win a better contract.

Unity is Power! Stay informed and continue to wear your “Better Wages & Safety at Work” buttons at work.

Please let Union Representatives Jose or Bruce know if you will be attending the Contract Action Team Meeting and if you need an interpreter.

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Actualización de las negociaciones del contrato CON C.C. FILSON COMPANY

Nuestro equipo de negociación de miembros de la Union ha solicitado fechas de negociación a Filson's en julio.  

Durante nuestra última sesión de negociaciónes con Filson, nuestro equipo de negociación propuso:

• Aumentar los períodos de descanso a 15 minutos

• Agregar Juneteenth como un día festivo adicional

• Fortalecer nuestro lenguaje de vaccaciones

• Aumentar el tiempo que Filson debe llamarnos de vuelta despues de un despido forzoso por falta de trabajo

• Permitir más tiempo para aplicar a un trabajo abierto

• Aumentar el tiempo pagado de Permiso por Duelo

• Fortalecer nuestro lenguaje de causa justa

• Nuevo lenguaje de jubilación 401k

¡Toma acción para ayudar a luchar por un mejor contrato! Los invitamos a la próxima reunión del Equipo de Acción. Puede venir en cualquier tiempo entre estas horas.

Viernes, 29 de julio a 4–6PM
Kent Commons (Olympic Room)
525 4th Ave N, Kent, WA 98030

Las reuniónes del Equipo de Acción son excelente manera de obtener actualizaciones de negociaciónes, hablar sobre problemas que suceden en el trabajo y planificar acciones futuras en el lugar de trabajo para ganar un mejor contrato.

¡La unidad es poder! Manténgase informado y continúe usando sus botones "Mejores salarios y seguridad en el trabajo".

Por favor, informe a los representantes de la union José o Bruce si asistirá a la reunión del Equipo de Acción Contractual y si necesita un intérprete.

CC Filson - Bargaining Begins

Your union bargaining committee met for the first time with CC Filson Management on Wednesday, April 13. Much of our time was spent going over questions we had concerning areas of the contract we want to change, especially safety in the new facility and having retirement benefits. We also made our first proposals and were encouraged that they agreed to extend recall from lay-offs from 12 months to 18 months, and they made some counter proposals that interested us on job posting and bereavement leave.

Management also had prepared economic proposals for us which included:

• New pay for leads

• A bonus for all workers if certain “target metrics” were met on an annually. (We have a lot of questions about what these “target metrics” are).

• BUT they also proposed no increases for Warehouse workers, and only minor increases to manufacturing piece-rate pay!

Their proposal raised many new questions for us, but one thing is for sure, their first economic proposal falls short of what we need, a living wage!

Filson workers need to stand together to show management that we won’t settle for anything less than a fair contract with fair wages. Join us at the new UFCW 3000 union hall at 23040 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines, WA 98198 for a Contract Action Team meeting on Friday, April 22, @ 4PM, where we will discuss plan the next actions we need to take to win a fair contract.

“Today was a good start, but we are far apart on wages, and are serious about bargaining retirement options!”

—Jared O, Bargaining Team Member

Filson Contract Ratified

Filson - Tentative Agreement Reached

Your Filson union Bargaining Team is pleased to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement for a new contract with CC Filson that is unanimously recommended.  

In the near future, UFCW 21 will be contacting you and your coworkers about how video/phone conference meetings and voting by mail will be conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Details of tentative agreement will be made available soon. The first step to make sure that you get a copy of what was bargained and instructions on voting by mail is to make sure UFCW 21 has your correct mailing address.

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR INFO

Filson - Bargaining Update - July 31, 2020

Filson Bargaining Update July 31, 2020

Filson Management and your Union Bargaining Committee met yesterday. We made our final proposals around building a bigger stronger union at Filson, and making sure that if Filson is sold to another company our union contract remains in place. We also reviewed the areas where we have tentative agreements. 
 
Filson responded to our proposals by letting us know that 2020 is a bad year for them, and that they are expecting to have a bottom line in the red. The Bargaining Committee understands that these are trying times, but they are trying times for everyone, and so we are requesting more information from Filson about their financial situation. After we have that information, we will be able to better respond to the issues that they have raised.
 
“If Filson is saying that they can’t afford our proposals, as a union we have the right to verify that, and will base our responses off of those facts.”
—Jared Othieno

Filson - Bargaining Update - June 4, 2020

Filson Bargaining Update June 4, 2020

Early Progress

Your bargaining committee has now met twice with Filson representatives in contract negotiation talks.

We have now presented both our economic and “non-economic” proposals.  These have included improvements to vacation and holidays, a wage scale to more fairly give workers credit for their years of service, and proposing a 401(k) retirement program with employer participation.  

We are pleased to report that there has been progress on issues like having shop stewards and reps being able introduce new workers to the rights that union workers have on the job, making it easier for workers to get holiday pay even if they are out sick, and workers having access to more vacation sooner than previously allowed.

Retirement is Key

There are still big issues ahead, wages, making sure we maintain our affordable health care, and having a secure retirement program, an issue that we are determined to get solved in these negotiations.  When we meet with the Employer again it will be their turn to respond.  Stay tuned for more updates.

"Having a retirement program is important so we can see to our basic needs and enjoy a reasonable life after work." —Jared Othieno

“We can’t retire on Social Security alone.” —Regina Hill

Filson - Contract Ratified

Filson - Contract Vote Scheduled!

Filson - Bargaining Continues

Filson - Contract Proposal Meeting