WA Court Put the Brakes on Albertsons’ Proposed $4 Billion Dividend

Seattle, WA – When Albertsons announced in mid-October that it had agreed to a purchase by Kroger, a handful of essential grocery store workers’ unions came out quickly and condemned the proposal saying it would hurt workers and shoppers. We called on federal and state regulators to stop the merger. And then the Attorney General of Washington filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court to halt the payment of the $4 Billion Albertsons dividend that would be the 1st step of the merger agreement. Attorneys General in CA, IL, and DC filed a similar suit in the District of Columbia.

Today, after hearing the case presented by the WA Attorney General and a slew of attorneys from Albertsons and Kroger, the Court ruled to put a temporary restraining order on the payment that Albertsons had announced would happen on Monday November 7.

UFCW 367, UFCW 3000 and Teamsters 38 reacted: “We applauded these Attorneys General when they filed their lawsuits, and we applaud Attorney General Ferguson and his team for presenting a strong case today and, at least temporarily, putting a pause on Albertsons’ $4 Billion payout for rich stock holders instead of investing in lowering prices, improving store safety and increasing the wages of the workers in the store who made the stores function all during covid.”

Healthcare

As many of you are aware, recently the employer attempted to unilaterally implement healthcare insurance that would have required all Central Co-op employees to switch to an HMO only plan that could limit what doctors you could choose to see. In previous discussions between UFCW locals 21 and 367 and Central Co-op, the Employer had informed the Union that the Co-op was “staying with Kaiser, so that staff don’t have to change doctors.”

When workers were told of the change, they contacted their stewards and union representatives, and took action to hold the Employer accountable for not bargaining this change. After hearing from their workers, Central Co-op apologized for the “oversite,” extended the current benefit plan through the end of June, and agreed to return to negotiations with the Union locals. This will make sure everyone’s benefits are maintained during the resumed negotiations.

Previously the Union locals had discussed a PPO plan with Central Co-op that maintained benefits levels and out of pocket costs to workers. That plan is back on the table currently. We will update you as soon as there is more news and details of what healthcare options we have.

Instacart Grievance

On May 7, 2020 UFCW 21 filed a grievance over Instacart shoppers coming into Central Co-op to fill orders, this is a violation of your union contract. Previously UFCW 21 grocery workers had exclusively done that work. Recently the Employer sent out a communication to workers saying that the grievance was to “eliminate Instacart” at Central Co-op. That is just not accurate, the grievance was filed to protect the work of Co-op employees by preventing leadership from outsourcing it to an outside corporation. Any information union members can provide about Instacart shoppers, in the store should be passed on to your shop steward or union representative to help protect our work.

If you have questions or concerns make sure to contact your shop steward or call your union representative.

Seattle • Ariana Davis
206-436-6586

Tacoma • Anne-Marie Cavanaugh
253-906-8273

News & Updates

WA Court Put the Brakes on Albertsons’ Proposed $4 Billion Dividend

WA Court Put the Brakes on Albertsons’ Proposed $4 Billion Dividend

Central Co-Op - UFCW Locals 21 & 367 Reopen Healthcare Benefit Bargaining & Instacart Grievance Update

UFCW 3000

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