Tomlinson Linen Negotiations Begin!

On April 24 and 29, we sat down with the management team at Tomlinson Linen to kick off contract negotiations.

The first day was mostly productive, with discussions on increasing break times and enhancing vacation benefits. However, while we were able to come to tentative agreements on some points, our initial wage proposal was called “unreasonable” by the company.

We were hopeful for more progress on the second day, but unfortunately, we still found ourselves pretty far apart by the end of the session. The rising cost of living has made it tough for us to make ends meet, and we believe we deserve a higher wage than what's currently on the table.

Our next negotiation session is set for May 9. In the meantime, it's very important that we show our unity and commitment to securing a fair wage increase. Keep wearing your button to show your support!

As your Bargaining Team, we're also finding ways to grow our strength. We are not alone in this struggle! We are proud to announce that we have joined forces with our union siblings at Superior Linen in Tacoma, and Service Linen in Renton who are also in the middle of bargaining their union contracts. Together, we stand united, supporting each other until we win!

Please meet the other bargaining teams pictured above. Godofredo, Maria, Apple, Martha, and Jose!

“We are trying to get better wages and we need everyone to show support, wear your button” -Christina Britton

“We work hard all week, we do good work, we deserve more pay. Support by putting on your button” -Arcelia Benavidez

Show your support by wearing your button and share a picture with our Rep Jose Veliz at 360-409-0615.

El 24 y 29 de abril, nos sentamos con el equipo directivo de Tomlinson Linen para dar inicio a las negociaciones del contrato.

El primer día fue mas o menos productivo, con discusiones sobre aumentar los tiempos de descanso y mejorar los beneficios de vacaciones. Sin embargo, aunque logramos acuerdos tentativos en algunos puntos, nuestra propuesta salarial inicial fue considerada "irrazonable" por la empresa.

Teníamos esperanzas de lograr más avances en el segundo día, pero desafortunadamente, aún nos encontramos bastante distantes al final de la sesión. El costo de vida ha subido tanto que muchas veces nos resulta difícil hasta pagar nuestros biles cada mes.

Nuestra próxima sesión de negociación está programada para el 9 de mayo. Mientras tanto, es muy importante que mostremos nuestra unidad y compromiso para asegurar un aumento salarial justo. ¡Sigan usando su botón para mostrar su apoyo!

Como su equipo negociador, también estamos encontrando formas de aumentar nuestra fuerza. ¡No estamos solos en esta lucha! Estamos orgullosos de anunciar que estamos uniendo fuerzas con nuestros hermanos sindicales en Service Linen, en Renton y Superior Linen en Tacoma, quienes también están en medio de la negociación de su contrato sindical. ¡Juntos, estamos unidos, apoyándonos unos a otros hasta que ganemos! Les presentamos a los otros equipos de negociación, Godofredo, María, Apple, Martha y José.

"Estamos tratando de obtener salarios mejores y necesitamos que todos muestren apoyo, usen su botón " - Christina Britton

"Trabajamos duro toda la semana, hacemos un buen trabajo, merecemos más salario. Apoyen poniéndose su botón" - Arcelia Benavidez

Muestren su apoyo usando su botón y compartan una foto por mensaje de texto con nuestro representante José Veliz al 360-409-0615.

ALSCO Linen - Bargaining Begins!

On September 6 and 8, we met with ALSCO Linen management. We were able to reach an agreement on reinstating the original seniority date for members who were laid off for more than three months due to the pandemic. These employees will start accruing their vacation time using their original date of seniority. We also were able to win annual sick time cash-out if you have over forty hours of sick time in your bank. 

We presented to management our wage, pension, and health insurance proposal on September 8. We proposed competitive wage increases which will help ALSCO recruit and retain workers. We also proposed to change our pension to a better pension plan which will result in a higher monthly pension benefit when members retire. Management asked us for more time to review the pension proposal, so we will be meeting on September 22 and 26 to continue bargaining.

On September 22 and 26, please wear your UFCW yellow shirt and support your bargaining team! It is important that we stand united in order to win competitive wage increases and a fair contract!  

Our next contract action team meeting will be on:

Friday, September 23 

Kent Commons 

525 4th Ave N

Kent, WA 98030

Olympic Room

3:00PM - 5:00PM

If you have any questions, please contact your union representative Jose Veliz 509-228-7103.