Grand Central Bakery Bargaining Update

Grand Central Bakery
Bargaining Update—Three Days and Many TAs!

Our Union Bargaining Team met with Grand Central Bakery for three productive days of bargaining. Two days were spent in-person at our Union Hall in Des Moines and one session was spent virtually. Together we were able to secure many tentative agreements including union recognition, union security, successorship language, union access, new employee orientation, and protecting the rights of union stewards. The bargaining team was excited to present articles on protections for transgender workers, seniority and layoff language, and many more! 

We look forward to meeting with the employer again on Monday, March 9. Reach out to your Bargaining Team: Amanda, Oliver, Fianna, Amelia, CAT team: Luke, Emi, or your union rep, Allison Hanley, for more information!

What's Next
Join us at our next Contract Action Team Meeting!

Wednesday, March 11 at 6pm
Join Zoom Meeting >>
Meeting ID: 899 8866 3719
Passcode: 593785

Washington Beef Bargaining Update

Bargaining Update 

On December 18, your Union Bargaining Committee met with the Company to continue negotiating the significant increase to the medical plan. 

As we shared in the last update, after reviewing the Company’s documents, we continue to believe the actual increase from 2025 to 2026 is much lower than 37.9%. 

During the meeting, we made it clear that the contract only allows a 50/50 split of annual increases and not cumulative increases, and that passing this increase on to workers would have a significant and unfair impact on employees and their families. 

At the end of the meeting, we believed we had reached an agreement to lower employee’s cost, with reduced deductions beginning in February, since it was too late to stop January payroll deductions, and that the January overpayment would be adjusted. Unfortunately, the following day the Company told us there was no agreement and that they are still demanding something in return to lower employee costs. We do not believe this is fair or reasonable. 

We know many of you have already signed the petition and have questions about next steps, including filing a grievance and how that process works. We will be holding a membership meeting in January to answer questions and explain next steps. We are currently working to secure a meeting space and will share more details as soon as possible. 

Stay United. Sign the petition. We deserve affordable health care. 

PHOTO: [Bargaining team/Comité de negociación: Araceli Brito Saavedra, Alondra Ceballos, Edgar Rodriguez] 

 

Actualización de Negociaciones 

El 18 de diciembre, su comité de negociación se reunió con la Compañía para seguir negociando el aumento al plan médico y buscar soluciones. 

Como dijimos en la última actualización, después de revisar los documentos de la Compañía, seguimos creyendo que el aumento real de 2025 a 2026 es mucho menos que el 37.9%. 

Durante la reunión, dejamos claro que el contrato solo permite una división 50/50 de los aumentos anuales, no aumentos acumulados, y que pasar este aumento a los trabajadores tendría un impacto grande e injusto para los trabajadores y sus familias. 

Al final de la reunión, pensábamos que teníamos un acuerdo y que el costo para los empleados se reduciría a partir de febrero, ya que era muy tarde para detener las deducciones de enero, y que se corregiría el sobrepago. Lamentablemente, al día siguiente la Compañía nos dijo que no hubo un acuerdo y que sigue pidiendo exigiendo algo a cambio para bajar los costos a los empleados. No creemos que eso sea justo ni razonable. 

Sabemos que muchos ya firmaron la petición y tienen preguntas sobre los próximos pasos, incluyendo presentar una queja (agravio) y cómo funciona ese proceso. Tendremos una reunión para todos los miembros en enero para responder preguntas y explicar qué sigue. Actualmente estamos trabajando para asegurar un espacio para la reunión y compartiremos más detalles lo antes posible. 

Manténganse unidos. Firmen la petición. ¡Merecemos un seguro médico accesible!