UFCW 3000 Member Story: Shukri Hashi fighting for Safe Housing

Shukri Hashi works at SeaTac Airport in Hudson News retail stores, has been a longtime shop steward, and served on the bargaining committee representing her coworkers during negotiations for their union contract. Shukri’s activism also extends outside her job and includes fighting for better protections for renters with the Stay Housed, Stay Healthy Coalition.

As protections for keeping people housed during the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic have been brought to an end, it has pushed many vulnerable families into crisis and some have become unhoused. Shukri has seen that when this happens it ripples outward and disrupts our communities and neighborhoods. She recently testified at a SeaTac City Council meeting calling on the city to pass protections for renters like capping late fees, strong just cause requirements for evictions, and having rental assistance programs that will help prevent another public health crisis while we continue to deal with the ongoing pandemic.

Shukri wants union members to know that together we can fight for healthy communities and justice on and off the job.

Hudson Bargaining Team meets with Employer

HUDSON BARGAINING UPDATE

Our Bargaining Team met with the Employer

Our member Bargaining Team met with the Employer on March 9, 2022, to discuss our proposals. At our first meeting with the Employer our team spoke about the following:

• Completing the Re-direct of money into the 401-k.

• New Wage Scale, that tops out after 6 years instead of 10 years and significant increases for those at the top of the scale.

• Safety Language, that includes a Master Safety Committee to address all union member safety issues.

• Pandemic Proposal, that includes paid leave for those required to quarantine with any new infectious diseases.

• Late night premiums.

• Bereavement Leave, that would not require members to attend a funeral to receive paid time in the case of a close family member’s death.

• Posting schedules, earlier and only allowing changes with 48 hours’ notice.

Last week our member Bargaining Team met to finalize proposals that would maintain our high-quality, affordable Health care plan. Next Bargaining meeting June 28. We also have sent future bargaining dates to the Employer and are awaiting a response.

Take Action and Button Up!

On May 13 we held our first Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting where we discussed actions needed to win a better contract.

Join the next Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting:

June 24 at 11:30am and 5pm @ UFCW 3000 Des Monies office 23040 Pacific Hwy S. Des Moines, WA 98198

Hudson Dufry - Layoff Resources Meeting

You are invited to a Union Meeting on September 14 to receive important information on Unemployment, Healthcare, Benefits, Jobs, and More. 

We will be joined by King County Rapid Response, the Washington State Labor Council, and Community Organizations. 

Language interpretation available—please RSVP with your language needs by calling Union Representative Monica Smith, 206-436-6524

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Monday, September 14
3:00 – 5:00 pm

Join by computer or phone — download the Zoom App to make it easy!

Computer: 

Link to Meeting

Phone: 

253-215-8782

Zoom Meeting ID: 852 1592 2174

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What will happen to my healthcare benefits? 

If you were laid off in July, you will have healthcare through September. If you were laid off in August, you will have healthcare through October. Join us at the meeting on Sept 14 to learn about future options. Questions? Please contact Sound Health and Wellness Trust, 206-282-4500.

Will I be called back to work at Hudson New or Dufry?

Our Union contract has “recall rights” meaning that as work becomes available, you will be offered employment again by seniority. It’s important to keep Hudson informed of any changes to your phone number and email. 

What about my Retirement Benefits? Is there emergency hardship assistance?

All Hudson and Dufry workers have Retirement Benefits through Western Employees Benefits Plan. You qualify for a Covid-19 related hardship due to Layoff and may immediately request funds if you are in need. You will be asked to provide a copy of a layoff letter stating the reason for the layoff is due to the pandemic. Questions? Contact EB Management,1-800-524-4852.

Hudson & Dufry - COVID-19 and Resources Update

Hello All, 

This is Monica, your Union Rep with UFCW 21. We hope everyone is staying safe and is taking care of your families during this time. We wanted to update you on some important information regarding layoff, returning to work, and your benefits:

1. Your Healthcare premiums will continue to be paid for another month. Hudson has agreed to continue to pay healthcare premiums for all laid off UFCW21 members until June 30, 2020. Any questions about your Healthcare benefits, please call the Sound Health and Wellness Trust at 206-282-4500. 

2. Members will slowly start returning to work. Hudson is beginning to call members by seniority to offer the opportunity to return to work. This will be a gradual process of bringing workers back to work based on the number of stores Hudson opens, the hours of operation, and the number of travelers at the Airport. 

3. Return calls or texts to Hudson right away. When you receive a call from Hudson about opportunity to return to work, please respond within 48 hours by phone, text, or email.

4. Your right to say “yes” or “pass” on returning to work now. You have the right to “pass” on returning to work up to 2 times. If you are unable to return to work, you will be called again when there is a second opportunity. If you are offered a second opportunity and “pass again”, then you will move to the bottom of the recall list. You may be offered one more opportunity to return to work if there is work available. Any questions about your rights if you are “at-risk” due to age or health conditions, including pregnancy, please give me a call so that we can talk about protected leave of absence. 

5. You have retirement benefits! Your Retirement Benefits are through Western Employee Benefits Plan. Hudson contributes $0.20/hr for every hour you work and you may also make contributions. Many Hudson members are not receiving information about your retirement because your contact information is not up to date. Please call  EB Management, the Administration Office, at 1-800-524-4852 to give them your correct contact information. You may also request money from your retirement account if you are experiencing a Covid-19 related hardship. 

6. Become a Leader in your Union! As everyone begins to return to work, it’s more important than ever that there are stewards and leaders in every concourse of the airport. We can keep each other safe and knowledgeable about our rights on the job. If you would like to get involved in helping your coworkers and building a strong voice for Hudson and Dufry workers at the airport, please let me know and we can schedule a training. 

Thank you and we look forward to seeing everyone again in the near future!

In solidarity, 

Monica Smith, Union Representative

206-436-6524

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Hudson and Dufry - Accessing Your Union Retirement Benefits

Western Employees Benefit Plan

Hudson Group/Hudson Duty Free currently contribute $0.20/hour into this retirement plan for you.  

COVID-19 HARDSHIP DISTRIBUTION:  You can request your account balance from this Plan if you are experiencing a COVID-19 related hardship.  You do not need to terminate employment with Hudson Group/Hudson Duty Free

• Acceptable documentation include:

  • Doctor’s note stating participant, spouse or dependent has been diagnosed with COVID-19

  • Notice or letter from employer of layoff, furlough or reduced hours for participant 

  • Copy of unemployment application

DISTRIBUTION:  You can request your account balance from this Plan if:

• You are 60 years old or older.  You do not need to terminate employment with Hudson Group/Hudson Duty Free

• You are 55 years or older AND terminate covered employment.

• You are totally and permanently disabled as determined by the Trustees and the disability has existed for 3 months. 

• You terminate employment complete a 6-month waiting period following the termination. 

HARDSHIP:  If you are still employed and do not qualify to take a distribution from the Plan, you may be eligible for a Hardship Withdrawal if:

• You need the distribution to prevent your eviction or to prevent foreclosure on your mortgage. The eviction or foreclosure must be related to your principal residence. 

• You need the distribution to pay unpaid medical expenses for yourself, your spouse or any dependent. 

• You need the distribution to pay for the purchase of your principal residence. You must use the hardship distribution for the purchase of your principal residence. You may not receive a hardship distribution solely to make mortgage payments. 

• You need the distribution to pay tuition and related educational fees (including room and board) for the post-secondary education of yourself, your spouse, your children, or other dependent. You may take a hardship distribution to cover up to 12 months of tuition and related fees. 

• You need the distribution to pay funeral or burial expenses for your deceased parent, spouse, child or dependent. 

(6) You need the distribution to pay expenses to repair damage to your principal residence (provided the expenses would qualify for a casualty loss deduction on your tax return, without regard to 10% adjusted gross income limit).

(7) Expenses related to casualty loss in a FEMA designated disaster area provided it is the Participant’s principle residence at the time of disaster.

If you would like a distribution or a hardship, please call EB Management, the Administration Office, at 1-800-524-4852 or 206-282-3205 for the forms.

If you have other questions, please contact your Union Rep Monica Smith, 206-436-6524.