Grocery Store Worker Contract Negotiations Update & Vote Notice: Tentative Agreement Reached with Kroger

After months of preparation and workers taking action, marathon bargaining sessions have now led to a Tentative Agreement with Kroger, in addition to the tentative agreement reached with Albertsons/Safeway last week. This historic agreement with Kroger, reached at 9:15 pm today, April 19, is a direct result of our actions and commitment to fighting for essential frontline grocery store workers and serving the communities in which we live, both during and long before COVID.

Our Union Member Bargaining Team reached these Tentative Agreements and recommends a YES VOTE to accept the proposal from the employers.

This contract is a historic deal. No one in this region has seen wage increases like this ever and it will go a long way to address inequities in Fred Meyer stores.
— Jeff Smith, Fred Meyer
I’m very excited about this agreement. It is the best contract in my career. Come to the vote meetings to see the details and vote!
— Amy Dayley, QFC

Essential grocery store workers from UFCW in Colorado, California and now here in our State of Washington are gaining some of the respect, pay and protections we deserve.

Active members are eligible to vote at whichever location is most convenient, during any time when polling is open. Drop by any time during the voting time, review the Tentative Agreement, get your questions answered, and then vote.

These votes are open to all active members of UFCW 3000 Grocery Store Workers in King, Snohomish, Kitsap, Mason, and Thurston Counties at the big chains (Safeway, Albertsons, Fred Meyer and QFC) and independent stores covered by this Tentative Agreement.

VOTE MEETINGS

All vote meetings will be open between the hours of 8:00 AM - 12 Noon, and 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

Monday 4/25 LYNNWOOD: Lynnwood Convention Center, Rooms 1DEF, 3711 196th St SW, Lynnwood (8am–12pm & 4pm–8pm)

  • Tuesday 4/26 SEATAC: Hilton Seatac, Emerald Ballroom, 17620 International Blvd, SeaTac (8am–12pm & 4pm–8pm)

  • Wednesday 4/27 BELLEVUE: Meydenbauer Center, Rooms 404-406, 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue (8am–12pm & 4pm–8pm)

  • Thursday 4/28 BREMERTON: Kitsap Conference Center, Puget Sound Ballrooms C&D, 100 Washington Ave, Bremerton (8am–12pm & 4pm–8pm)

  • Thursday 4/28 OLYMPIA: The Olympia Center Room 208, 222 Columbia St NW, Olympia (8am–12pm & 4pm–8pm)

NOTE: The informational pickets scheduled for Tuesday, 4/26 have been cancelled.

OUR UNION NEGOTIATIONS TEAM:

Ames Reinhold, Metropolitan Market
Amy Dayley Angell, QFC
Aaron Streepy, Attorney
Cliff Powers, Safeway
Caprii Nakihei, Safeway
Cosmo Villini, Safeway
Eric Renner, UFCW 3000
Enrique Romero, Fred Meyer
Suzi Geffre, Fred Meyer
Faye Guenther, UFCW 3000 President
Jeff Smith, Fred Meyer
J’Nee DeLancey, Town & Country
Joanna Clapham, Fred Meyer
Joe Mizrahi, UFCW 3000 Secretary Treasurer
Kevin Flynn, Albertsons
Kyong Barry, Albertsons
Maggie Breshears, Fred Meyer
Naomi Oligario, Safeway
Roger Yanez, QFC
Sam Dancy, QFC
Sam Kantak, Teamsters 38 Secretary Treasurer
Shawn Hayenga, Metropolitan Market
Tammi Brady, Teamsters 38 President
Wil Peterson, Fred Meyer

Get to know your Negotiations Team! >>

Grocery Store Worker Contract Negotiations update

Last month our worker-led union Bargaining Committee met together for the third time to continue finalizing our initial proposals to the Employer. Our Committee will meet again March 8.

Taking action together On February 28 grocery store workers from Washington to California participated in actions in front of our stores asking for customer and community support during our upcoming contract negotiations.

In our most recent round of Contract Action Team (CAT) meetings with workplace leaders we discussed how to get prepared for a potential strike

and what our employers may do. It is important that all members continue to sign our strike pledge cards in all our workplaces and update our contact information.

How you can help in the fight for a good contract:

  • Make sure your personal contact information is up-to-date: ufcw21.org/update-your-information

  • Join our next Contract Action Team meeting! Call your Union Rep or a workplace leader.

  • Take a Shop Steward Training class open to all members who want to help build a strong union and know their rights. ufcw21.org/steward-training

Review the Grocery Store Contract Vote Documents and Vote

Voting on our grocery contract has begun. Here are the vote documents explaining the many improvements to our contract: [Download as PDF] You can review these in advance. Members of your bargaining team, Union Reps, and leadership will be available at your vote meeting to answer any questions you have. Please make your voice heard and attend a vote meeting this week. All dates and times are below. Vote Info:

Friday, November 1, 2019 — BELLEVUE
8AM-12PM & 4-8PM Meydenbauer Center / 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004

Sunday, November 3, 2019 — SEATAC
8AM-12PM & 4-8PM Doubletree Seatac / 18740 International Blvd, Seattle, WA 98188

Monday, November 4, 2019 — SEATTLE
8AM-12PM & 4-8PM Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Center / 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109
Parking: Parking validation will be available for the 5th Ave Garage, located at 516 Harrison St, Seattle WA 98109. (Parking validation is not available for the Mercer St garage or other parking.)

Tuesday, November 5, 2019 — LYNNWOOD
8AM-12PM & 4-8PM Lynnwood Convention Center / 3711 196th St SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036

Wednesday, November 6, 2019 — BREMERTON
8AM-12PM & 4-8PM Kitsap Convention Center / 100 Washington Ave, Bremerton, WA 98337
Parking: Please park only on the RED or GREEN levels of the parking garage. Remember your stall number to register it for validation with the receptionist of the Kitsap Conference Center.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019 — OLYMPIA
8AM-12PM & 4-8PM The Olympia Center / 222 Columbia St NW, Olympia, WA 98501

These votes are open to all active-member UFCW 21 Grocery Store Workers in King, Snohomish, Kitsap, Mason, and Thurston Counties at the big chains and independent stores. Active members are eligible to vote at whichever location is most convenient, during any time when polling is open. If you need help getting to your meeting or can offer a ride to a fellow member, please contact your Shop Steward or Union Rep.