Hudson News Bargaining Update
/On March 4, our bargaining team met with Hudson News to present our non-economic proposal which included:
Read MoreOn March 4, our bargaining team met with Hudson News to present our non-economic proposal which included:
Read MoreOur Union held our first round of Contract Action Team (CAT) meetings on February 19 at 9am and 4pm. We identified higher wages, better seniority, scheduling protections, and improving our retirement as major priorities to fight for at the bargaining table.
Read MoreThis year, our Union is in negotiations with Hudson News for a new contract. Our member-led bargaining team will be at the bargaining table with management to help fight for better wages, secure scheduling, and other concerns workers raised. To prepare for negotiations, we must be united – ready to fight for and win for a strong contract.
Read MoreOur Union was recently informed that many members were being underpaid per our union contract. Our contract stipulates that union Hudson News workers will be paid above minimum wage. In January, the minimum wage in SeaTac went up, so our minimum wage escalator scale in our contract for 2024 is:
0-1 Years at Hudson: $19.87/hour
2-3 Years at Hudson: $19.97/hour
4+ Years at Hudson: $20.40/hour
On April 1, 2024, workers with 4+ years will be moved to $21.40/hour. Our union met with the Employer to discuss workers’ issues with being paid under the contract minimum, and we received an agreement that Hudson will correct the mistake, with back-pay, by the end of February. If you work at the Hudson Warehouse, your wage rates have not been affected by minimum wage and will not change until our negotiations in 2025.
Our contract had an error regarding workers’ sick time carryover from year to year. Workers should receive 80 hours of sick time carryover, not 40 hours. We are working on resolving that issue with the Employer.
If you have questions about sick time carryover or if you are you being paid less than what the contract requires, Call union representative Dominick Ojeda at 206-436-6586 with any questions.
Make sure to review the contract regularly, enforcing our contract is an important aspect of union activity, and so that you know the other benefits our union contract guarantees ▸
We have reached a tentative agreement with Hudson/Dufry. Our Bargaining Committee is recommending a YES vote on this contract. There are NO TAKEAWAYS to members and improvements include:
New wage scales that shorten the time to the top rates by years
Historic pay increases
Improved 401(k) funding
Improved vacations
Other important improvements
Join your co-workers and vote on your new contract at one of these locations:
Thursday, August 11 @ 9:30am - 10:30am
Hudson/Dufry Warehouse, 19320 Des Moines Memorial Dr, SeaTac, WA 98148
Thursday, August 11 @ 12:30pm - 4pm
SeaTac Airport Conference Center - Beijing Room, 17801 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98158
Hudson Dufry Group - Tentative Agreement Reached
Our Bargaining Team Recommends a YES vote
On Friday, July 22, the Union and Hudson/Dufry reached a tentative agreement on the new contract. Your Union bargaining committee is unanimously recommending this contract offer.
In the days ahead we will be announcing the time and place for the vote. The full offer will be available at the vote meeting.
Your union bargaining committee met with Hudson/Dufry management on Tuesday, June 28. The employer gave us a full counter proposal to the Union’s proposed contract improvements and wage increases. While we did make progress on improving vacation, funding our healthcare, bereavement leave, and other minor language improvements; Hudson’s wage proposal fell far short of recognizing our work during the pandemic and that we all have bills that are getting harder to pay.
The bargaining committee continued to work throughout the day and presented a full counter proposal that included:
Competitive wages with increases for every member
Shortening the time that it takes to get to the top of the wage scale
Increased vacation accrual
Increased employer contributions to our retirement
Improving safety on the job
We have proposed new bargaining dates and are waiting to hear back from Hudson, and we are looking for a place for our next Contract Action Team meeting. It is important that we all stay informed about when and where that meeting will be and about any new bargaining updates, so go to: ufcw21.org/update-your-information to make sure the Union has your most current information.
We need to continue to take action to fight for the wages and working conditions we deserve. The bargaining committee is asking everyone to:
Sign a strike pledge card to show Hudson we mean business
Wear your Union button.
When we stand together and fight, we win!
Our member Bargaining Team met with the Employer on March 9, 2022, to discuss our proposals. At our first meeting with the Employer our team spoke about the following:
Completing the Re-direct of money into the 401-k.
New Wage Scale, that tops out after 6 years instead of 10 years and significant increases for those at the top of the scale.
Safety Language, that includes a Master Safety Committee to address all union member safety issues.
Pandemic Proposal, that includes paid leave for those required to quarantine with any new infectious diseases.
Late night premiums.
Bereavement Leave, that would not require members to attend a funeral to receive paid time in the case of a close family member’s death.
Posting schedules, earlier and only allowing changes with 48 hours’ notice.
Last week our member Bargaining Team met to finalize proposals that would maintain our high-quality, affordable Health care plan. Next Bargaining meeting June 28. We also have sent future bargaining dates to the Employer and are awaiting a response.
On May 13 we held our first Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting where we discussed actions needed to win a better contract.
You are invited to a Union Meeting on September 14 to receive important information on Unemployment, Healthcare, Benefits, Jobs, and More.
We will be joined by King County Rapid Response, the Washington State Labor Council, and Community Organizations.
Language interpretation available—please RSVP with your language needs by calling Union Representative Monica Smith, 206-436-6524
Monday, September 14
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Join by computer or phone — download the Zoom App to make it easy!
Computer:
Phone:
253-215-8782
Zoom Meeting ID: 852 1592 2174
Frequently Asked Questions:
What will happen to my healthcare benefits?
If you were laid off in July, you will have healthcare through September. If you were laid off in August, you will have healthcare through October. Join us at the meeting on Sept 14 to learn about future options. Questions? Please contact Sound Health and Wellness Trust, 206-282-4500.
Will I be called back to work at Hudson New or Dufry?
Our Union contract has “recall rights” meaning that as work becomes available, you will be offered employment again by seniority. It’s important to keep Hudson informed of any changes to your phone number and email.
What about my Retirement Benefits? Is there emergency hardship assistance?
All Hudson and Dufry workers have Retirement Benefits through Western Employees Benefits Plan. You qualify for a Covid-19 related hardship due to Layoff and may immediately request funds if you are in need. You will be asked to provide a copy of a layoff letter stating the reason for the layoff is due to the pandemic. Questions? Contact EB Management,1-800-524-4852.
We are the Union. The members of UFCW 3000 are over 50,000 members working in grocery, retail, health care, meat packing, cannabis, & other industries across Washington state, north-east Oregon, and northern Idaho. UFCW 3000 is a chartered member of UFCW International with over 1.4 million workers in North America.
To build a powerful Union that fights for economic, political and social justice in our workplaces and in our communities.