REI Bargaining Update - Vote No on the Board Campaign Launched!

Vote No on the Board Campaign Launched!

We met with REI’s lawyers from Morgan Lewis on March 26 and 27 to continue contract negotiations. We discussed scheduling and time-off issues and passed counters on Inclement Weather, Health and Safety, Union Representation, No Strike No Lockout, Seniority, and Layoff and Recall. While we’re getting closer on Health and Safety language, we did not reach any new tentative agreements. Unfortunately, despite the progress of the last few months, these sessions left us feeling like REI has once again asked its counsel to pump the brakes. REI’s failure to make meaningful movement will not deter us from our fight for a fair first contract.

Campaign Updates

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed a complaint against REI for withholding merit and summit pay from our and other unionized stores. The hearing will be in December. At any time, REI can resolve this illegal change by reaching a settlement. We’re waiting for REI’s next counteroffer.

Shemona Moreno, Seattle climate justice organizer, and Tefere Gebre, Greenpeace leader, were both blocked from the REI Board ballot. Instead, REI chose its own cherry-picked candidates to put on the Board of Directors ballot.

On March 3, Tini and workers from the Santa Cruz and Chicago stores, along with dozens of supporters, gathered in front of the Flagship REI in Seattle for a press conference to launch the Vote No Campaign! We are encouraging members to vote against the REI Board candidates up for election. Voting is open through May 1.

See more information here about how members can vote!

Action Items

Can’t get time off approved? Make sure to raise your issues with getting time off directly with Jon Knitter. The co-op purports to support a healthy work-life balance but it is up to you to make sure that REI sticks to its own 7-day turnaround policy.

On Saturday, April 26, REI Union will be attending the Mountaineers Annual Gala in Seattle! REI has a long history with the Mountaineers, and we’ll be telling attendees about our campaign for a first contract and reminding people to Vote No on the Board. Our union will have a table and if you are interested in attending, reach out to Maya at 206-618-5549. We can help arrange travel and lodging in Seattle.

Join us on Sunday, April 27 at 7 PM for a social and general meeting! We’ll welcome new hires into our union, hang out, and talk about next steps in the campaign. Location TBD in Bellingham.

If you are interested in getting more involved in the Vote No campaign, fill out the google form here:

In The News

• Cascade PBS
  “REI Withheld Pay from Union Workers National Labor Board Says”

• Cascade PBS
  “REI board blocks labor-backed candidates from ballot”

• Seattle Times
  “REI Union Says Co-op is turning corporate with new board members”

• Nonprofit Quarterly
  “REI Workers Undeterred by Co-op Refusal to let Union Candidate Run for Board”

  Questions? Reach out to your Union Rep Allison Hanley at 360-409-0242

Harbor Regional Health - Bargaining Day Two

We bargained with management Friday and made proposals to significantly improve our compensation, including wages, paid time off (PTO), premiums, and differentials. The hospital seemed surprised when we stated that Harbor Regional Health (HRH) has fallen far behind every other hospital in the area. The cost of living has risen and continues to rise. We are seeing more of our coworkers leave to work at hospitals with higher compensation, and that leaves us with a severe staffing shortage. Management gave us a response to our Staffing proposal, and our former Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) talked about the Hospital Staffing Committee.

We anticipate a response from management at our next bargaining session on April 23.

For additional information, reach out to a Bargaining Team Member or Union Representative Kimberly Starkweather at (206) 436-6515.

Bargaining Team: Ana Garcia, Bambi Shope, Daniel James, Debbie Sturm, Eric Timmons, Janet Byrd.

We are hoping to negotiate productively with the hospital and find a path towards competitive wages and sustainable staffing.

"We are not just employees, we are members of the community."

— Bambi Shope

"We are hoping to negotiate productively with the hospital and find a path towards competitive wages and sustainable staffing."

— Eric Timmons

Seattle Children’s Hospital Technical - Post Bargaining Update

As part of our recently ratified Union contract, our Union Bargaining Team negotiated a “true-up” meaning the Employer agreed to go back and review years of service at Seattle Children’s and credit members one step on the wage scale for every year of service as appropriate. It is intended to allow those whose previous wage step advancement was slowed down by the old requirement that 1,664 hours needed to be worked prior to the next increase to have past years of service based on anniversary date recognized. However, as part of this agreement Employees must request such a review within ninety days of ratification of the agreement.

Our contract was ratified on March 7.

To request a review, email your written request to:

LaborRelations@SeattleChildrens.org

...by no later than June 4, 2025.

Call Union Representative Christie Harris at (206) 436-6606 (landline) if you’d like to discuss further!

Our Bargaining Team (Left to Right): Adriana Ingwerson, Ultrasound Sonographer; Heidi Cuffee, Echo Sonographer; Jennifer Becker, Surgical Tech; Tesfaldet Kidanemariam, Respiratory Therapist; Robin Phare, Pharmacy Tech; Tarin Knight, END Tech

C.C. Filson - Bargaining Begins… Unfortunately, with Confusion & Lies—So Here’s the Truth:

“Filson offered us a small bag of peanuts for wages and then told us we might lose our jobs—but they weren’t sure. We pushed for more information and a timeline, but they had nothing to give us.”

—Jon, Union Bargaining Committee Member

On Friday, March 28, our union bargaining committee met with Filson to start contract negotiations. The company’s proposal was insulting—just $0.40 over three years. On top of that, they informed us that they might close the Kent distribution center.

The company told us in negotiations, the closure wasn’t definite—they were still deciding whether to extend their lease. However, after bargaining on Friday, we heard reports from members that they were told otherwise.

Members reported that the company claimed the union was notified months ago and that severance and layoff terms had already been agreed to. We want to be clear—this is not true.

We understand that this has caused confusion and mistrust, and members are understandably upset. The company is attempting to divide us with misinformation. Our focus is on negotiating the three-year agreement, and once a decision is made to close the Kent center, we will enter into effects bargaining to negotiate over layoffs and severance.

Despite these challenges, we did reach a few tentative agreements (TAs) on Friday, including limiting the hiring of temp workers to only peak season, so the company will stop replacing full-time jobs with rotating temp workers, and improvements to bereavement leave. We also proposed fair wage increases that keep up with inflation, and increased retirement contributions.

What’s next? We meet with Filson again on Wednesday, April 2, and on April 16-17. We will keep you updated after every session.

Join us for a member update meeting after bargaining on:

• Wednesday, April 2

• Katsu Burger

• 6621 S 211th St #103

• Kent, WA

• 3:15 PM & 6:15 PM

If Filson is closing Kent in August, they must be honest and upfront so workers can plan for their future—and so we can negotiate fair severance and layoff terms.

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative Celia Ponce-Sanchez (206) 436-6581

Bargaining Team: Regina Hill & Jon Pryor

United Way of Spokane County Contract Extension Vote Notice

Wednesday, March 26 at 1pm

United Way of Spokane County 910 N Washington St, Suite 101 Spokane WA 99201

For questions please contact Eric Renner at 866-210-3000 ext. 7395