Zenith American Solutions Labor Management Committee: Call for Nominations

Labor Management Committee: Call for Nominations

With ournew contract ratified, Zenith has agreed to begin holding quarterly Labor/Management Committee (LMC) Meetings. These meetings are an opportunity for workers to meet with management on a regular basis to discuss workplace issues, raise concerns, and problem solve in a forum separate from contract negotiations or the grievance process.
 
Per our contract, we may have up to 5 members on the LMC, and now is your opportunity to nominate yourself or a coworker serve on the committee. This is an excellent opportunity to become more involved with your union and work to create positive change for your coworkers.To make a nomination please fill out the form.

Nominate yourself or a co-worker here >>

Nominations will be accepted until 8:00am Monday, July 29, and our first LMC meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 14 at 10:30am. If you have any questions, please reach out to your rep, Jack Crow at 206-436-6614.

Zenith American Solutions - New Wage Rates and Retro Payments Scheduled August 8 Paycheck

As part of our contract, which we ratified on June 25, Zenith agreed that the new wage rates would be implemented retroactively to April 1, 2024.While we had hoped that Zenith would complete the necessary calculations in time for the July 19 paycheck, Zenith has informed UFCW 3000 that this process will not be completed in time.

Based on Zenith’s communications, we expect that these new wage rates, as well as retro pay and repayment of health insurance premiums, will all appear on your August 2 paycheck.

If you have questions about this process, or what to expect on your August 2 paycheck, please reach out to your Union Representative Jack Crow at (206) 436-6614.

Zenith America Solutions - Bargaining Update

After three long days of negotiations, our bargaining team has made significant progress toward a new contract, but there remains much work to do. Management has continued to propose increases that we believe would result in more expensive healthcare costs while still not keeping up with inflation in their wage offer.

However, we believe that Zenith is beginning to understand that we will not accept a contract that includes such proposals and have made clear to them that we need better proposals to ensure livable wages and affordable benefits for us and our families. We hope that additional progress will be made over the weekend but are prepared to increase the pressure on them if we have to.

Keep an eye out for additional updates next week, and please reach out to a member of the bargaining team or your rep if you have any questions.

“We’ve made progress, but management needs to realize that when the economy changes, the contract needs to also.”

— Our Bargaining Team: Mitch Longoria, Terra Powell, and Laura Bomengen

Message from our pension administrators about delays in service for members

UFCW 3000 has addressed the problem with processing new pension applications with Zenith, who administers the Sound Pension Plan Trust. They are addressing the backlog of applications and have apologized for the delays. Thank you to the members who contacted us about critical issue. Zenith has issued a letter apology that we are posting here.

Zenith American Solutions - Bargaining Begins!

Zenith American Solutions
Bargaining Begins!

Our member Bargaining Team met with Management on March 29 for our first negotiating session. We took the opportunity to share some of our core concerns with Management, such as lack of competitive pay, lack of training for new hires, and an inability to recruit and retain the employees that Zenith needs to succeed.

Management listened, and in fact agreed that our issues were significant concerns for them as well. In light of this, we are cautiously optimistic that we will see positive progress at our next meeting when we present a comprehensive contract proposal on April 10.

For more information, contact Union Rep Jack Crow or a member of our Bargaining Team.

Our Bargaining Team: Terra Powell, Lori Bomengen, Mitch Longoria

Zenith American Solutions - New Contract Ratified!

Workers at Zenith American Solutions overwhelmingly voted YES to approve their new contract with the Hospital. The new contract includes:

• Strong wage increases across the board, including full retro pay

• Huge improvements to the health and wellness plans

• Movement onto, and fully funding of, the Variable Annuity Plan

• Language ensuring mutual respect from management. 

• An expansion of our leave opportunities.

• ...and much more!

The contract is in full force and effect as of July 26, 2021—March 31, 2024. 

The additional per hour healthcare charges will stop immediately! Workers can expect to see the wage increases and retro pay on their August 20 paycheck at the latest. 

Your Bargaining Team: Carlotta Bogdon, Sr. Fund Accounting Specialist; Debbie DeVore, Sr. Pension Processor; Sue Wehmeyer, Sr. Claims Processor. 

Questions about the contract? Contact the Bargaining Team or the Union Representative David Trujillo directly at 360-419-4665.

Zenith American Solutions - We Have Reached an Agreement! Your Bargaining Team Recommends a “YES” Vote!

After almost 5 months of bargaining, we were able to secure a strong agreement for a new contract! This includes:

• A full three-year agreement.

• A new wage scale with higher pay rates.

• Across the board wage increases for everyone each year of the contract.

• Full retro pay from April 1st 2021.

• Huge improvements to the healthcare cost issue, completely removing the current $0.64 per hour charge that many of us have had to pay this year. 

• A commitment to fully fund and move to the Variable Annuity Plan for our pension, with increased employer contributions each year of the contract.

• An increase to the training stipend.

• Language ensuring mutual respect from management. 

• An expansion of our leave opportunities.

• And much more!

On the day of our vote—Monday, July 26—we will be holding a series of Zoom meetings where our bargaining team will review the contract in detail and answer any questions you have. We are working with management to make sure everyone can attend. Your manager will let you know when you will be released to join the meeting. 

Your Bargaining Team: Carlotta Bogdon, Sr. Fund Accounting Specialist; Debbie DeVore, Sr. Pension Processor; Sue Wehmeyer, Sr. Claims Processor. 

Join our vote meeting via ZOOM to ask questions!

Monday, July 26

11AM-3PM Drop-In Meeting

https://zoom.us/join

Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.

Online vote is scheduled for Monday, July 26, 2021.

In order to vote, everyone needs to make sure their personal email is up to date in our records. If you did not receive this announcement via email, please visit ufcw21.org/update-your-information and update your information.

We will be voting online via “SimplyVoting” on Monday, July 26 11:00AM to 9:00PM. You will be receiving an email from UFCW 21 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information. If you do not receive an email by 11:00 AM on Monday, July 26, check your spam folder first. 

If you have still not received an email, contact your Union Rep David Trujillo @ 360-419-4665.

Zenith American Solutions - Tentative Agreement Reached

We are happy to announce that after almost 5 months of long bargaining sessions, with tireless work by our Bargaining Team and the support of all of our fellow union members in the field, we were able to reach a tentative agreement with Management last night! Our Bargaining Team fully endorses the tentative agreement as it includes:

• Protection of benefits

• Insures affordable healthcare costs

• Great wage increases

• And much more!

If folks haven’t already, everyone should update your information on the UFCW 21 website. That way we can make sure everyone gets the voting documents emailed to them.

We will be following up soon with more details about the agreement and information on how everyone can vote so keep an eye out for another email. 

In Solidarity,

Your Bargaining Team
Carlotta Bogdon
Sue Wehmeyer
Debbie DeVore

>> Click HERE to update your contact information <<

Zenith American Solutions - Let’s Show Zenith We Are United for a Fair Contract!

On June 17 and July 8 our Bargaining Team meet with Management in hopes that we could come to an agreement. Unfortunately, Management made it clear that was not going to be possible. While we are in agreement on many different topics, we are still very far apart when it comes to health insurance costs and wages. 

As many of us know, in January 2021 Management began charging a large number of us and additional $0.64 cents per hour for our health insurance, which they claimed our contract gave them the right to do. We firmly disagree and have legally challenged this. At our bargaining table now Management’s proposals include a similar additional charge. This cost alone would negate most of the pay increases we hope to win!

We want Management to go back to the way things have always been, where we only have to pay the premiums listed in our contract and plans without hidden extra fees. We deserve fair wage increases AND affordable health care! 

It is clear we need to start taking actions to show management just how important this is to us!

Today—Monday, July 12—we will have stickers available to us at the Bothell office, we need everyone wear them at work tomorrow on Tuesday, July 13 to show Management we are united and ready to fight for a strong contract!

NEXT Bargaining Date: July 13, 2021

If you have any questions about how to get the stickers, please reach out to any of the members of your bargaining team or your Union Rep David Trujillo at 360-419-4665.

In Solidarity, Your Bargaining Team: Sue Wehmeyer, Carlotta Bogdon, Debbie DeVore

Zenith American Solutions - Bargaining Continues

We met with management on May 24 to continue negotiations. We focused on wages, pension, and healthcare proposals. Some movement was made on both sides, but we are still working to win a fair economic package for our new contract. 

“We left negotiations today still feeling under valued regardless of years of service with the company. We countered with an updated wage grid, pension proposal and held strong on the healthcare costs.”  

— Carlotta Bogdon 

Your Bargaining Team: Carlotta Bogdon, Sr. Fund Accounting Specialist; Debbie DeVore, Sr. Pension Processor; Sue Wehmeyer, Sr. Claims Processor. 

Questions or concerns? Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep, David Trujillo @ dtrujillo@ufcw21.org or 360-419-4665

Zenith American Solutions - Fighting for Real Wage Increases

We met with management on May 10 to continue negotiations. We passed them our initial wage proposal that would bring us closer to market rates and recognize longevity with the company. The Employer countered with ZERO percent wage increase for the first year with ONLY a $750 ratification bonus. We find that to be unacceptable and continue to fight for a fair contract with real wage increases.

“Zenith’s wage proposal is insulting and devalues all current employees. Their proposal appears to show that they value recruitment over retention, whether you have been here for one day or 40 years. Join us next week to share your thoughts and help guide our proposals going forward.” 

— Debbie DeVore

Your Bargaining Team: Carlotta Bogdon, Sr. Fund Accounting Specialist; Debbie DeVore, Sr. Pension Processor; Sue Wehmeyer, Sr. Claims Processor. 

Questions or concerns? Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep, David Trujillo @ dtrujillo@ufcw21.org or 360-419-4665

Join our drop-in meeting on May 19 @ 6PM via ZOOM to ask questions and get an update! 

Wednesday, May 19

6:00 PM

Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.

Not getting communications from us? Be sure to update your contact information!

Next Bargaining Date: 

May 24

Zenith American Solutions - Bargaining Continues

We met with Zenith management on April 27, 2021 and discussed our Healthcare proposals. A few agreements were reached but nothing substantial was agreed too. Management rejected our proposal that would have eliminated any additional healthcare costs and proposed to only contribute the minimum amount required to our pension plan. We know that these issues are important to you and we will continue to represent our collective interests at the table. .

“We are standing together to secure a fair contract that addresses your priorities. We still have a ways to go as we get into economics in the coming sessions.” 

— Carlotta Bogdon

Your Bargaining Team: Carlotta Bogdon, Sr. Fund Accounting Specialist; Debbie DeVore, Sr. Pension Processor; Sue Wehmeyer, Sr. Claims Processor. 

Questions or concerns? Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep, David Trujillo @ dtrujillo@ufcw21.org or 360-419-4665

Not getting communications from us? Be sure to update your contact information!

Next Bargaining Date: 
May 10 and 24

Zenith American Solutions - Progress Made, but More Work to Be Done

Your bargaining team met with management on April 19 and 21 to continue negotiations. We reached agreements on many of the remaining language proposals but there are still a few more to discuss. 

We also passed the employer our Healthcare and Pension proposals, that would eliminate the additional healthcare costs for employees and increase the employer’s contribution to your pension. We look forward to getting a response from them on those proposals and hope to start digging in on wages in the coming sessions.

“We feel encouraged by the movement at the table this week. But we still have a lot of work ahead as we discuss economics.” 

— Sue Wehmeyer

Your Bargaining Team: Carlotta Bogdon, Sr. Fund Accounting Specialist; Debbie DeVore, Sr. Pension Processor; Sue Wehmeyer, Sr. Claims Processor. 

Questions or concerns? Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep, David Trujillo @ dtrujillo@ufcw21.org or 360-419-4665

Zenith American Solutions - Management is Not Listening to Us

We met with Zenith Management on March 9 and 10 to continue negotiations. We reached a few tentative agreements but are still far apart on some key issues. We are frustrated by Zenith’s lack of care and consideration of our members issues. This has been demonstrated by their consistent out right rejection of our proposals.

“Management is not taking our concerns seriously. We need to show them that we are standing strong together and united for a fair contract. We want to hear from you! Please join our ZOOM meeting to ask questions and follow-up on your biggest concerns.”

— Debbie DeVore

Your Bargaining Team: Carlotta Bogdon, Sr. Fund Accounting Specialist; Debbie DeVore, Sr. Pension Processor; Sue Wehmeyer, Sr. Claims Processor.

Questions or concerns? Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep, David Trujillo @ dtrujillo@ufcw21.org or 360-419-4665

Your voice matters! Come hear from the bargaining team and ask questions. We are developing a plan and want to hear your thoughts.

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Join our online meeting!

Wednesday, March 24

6:00 - 7:30 PM

Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.

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Not getting communications from us? Be sure to update your contact information!

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Next Bargaining Date:

March 30

Zenith American Solutions - Negotiations Begin!

Your Union Bargaining Team met with Zenith Management on February 23 and 24 to begin negotiations for a 3-year contract. We have proposed and discussed our language proposals and have reached very few agreements over the last two days. We plan to start talking about economic proposals at our next bargaining session. 

“We have not seen much movement from the Employer so far and Management has already proposed a take-away to our disability benefits during a global pandemic. We are committed to continue the fight for a fair contract that addresses all of our fellow members’ priorities and protects the gains we have made over the years.” 

— Carlotta Bogdon, Sr. Fund Accounting Specialist

Your Bargaining Team: Carlotta Bogdon, Sr. Fund Accounting Specialist; Debbie DeVore, Sr. Pension Processor; Sue Wehmeyer, Sr. Claims Processor. 

Next Bargaining Dates: 

March 9 and 10

Questions or concerns? Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep, David Trujillo @ dtrujillo@ufcw21.org or 360-419-4665

Not getting communications from us? Be sure to update your contact information!

Zenith American Solutions - Contract Ratified