Meet the 2022 Grocery Store Workers Negotiations Team: Amy Dayley Angell

Amy Dayley Angell, Grocery Store Worker at Ballard QFC and UFCW 3000 grocery contract negotiations team member

As we negotiate the 2022 Grocery Store Workers contract with the employers, let’s get to know your fellow grocery store workers who are part of our member-led bargaining team!

Amy Dayley Angell has worked as a cashier at QFC for 15 years and now works at QFC 891 in Ballard. Amy started getting involved with the union when one of her coworkers was unjustly fired. Amy and her coworkers started a store-wide petition and worked together with their union rep to successfully reinstate the employee! Since then, Amy has been her store’s shop steward, showing up for her coworkers whenever they need help. In her words: “we are the union — without us stepping up, nothing changes!”

Outside of work, Amy is the proud mom of two teenagers. She loves spending time with her family, whether that’s playing board games, going camping, or walking their dog together. Amy wants to win a fair contract so that she and her coworkers can spend more time with their families. She also wants grocery store workers to feel more safe at work and to improve the turnover issue.

“Since the pandemic started, I don’t feel like the company takes our safety seriously. As grocery store workers, we have all been put into positions where we have to, essentially, be social workers — a job that we are neither trained nor equipped to do! Basic health precautions, like mandatory masking, sanitization, and plastic dividers, are all disappearing. Our employers are hanging us out to dry; it’s a big reason there’s so much turnover in our stores. If they want people to stay in this industry, they have to step up and take responsibility for employees’ health & safety at work!”

Grocery Store Worker Contract Negotiation Update: It is time to turn up the heat!

It is time to turn up the heat! 

Our contracts begin to expire May 7, 2022. We have seen workers take strike votes and prepare to strike to get the contracts and workplaces they deserve. 

After two years of the pandemic, feeling unsafe, overworked, understaffed, and underpaid, our full member negotiating team met with the employers. We hoped that the CEOs of these big national chains would have learned from the 10 day grocery store worker Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike in Colorado, and the recent near-strike in Southern California. Our union member negotiating team shared our moving stories of unsafe working conditions, inadequate safety standards, and grueling working conditions with the Employers’ representatives.

Our team proposed changes to our contracts that would, among other things: improve the safety at our stores, maintain and enhance our health care plan, increase the trainings we have access to, improve our vacation accrual, and most importantly, provide the pay increases that we deserve as frontline essential workers.

“I have been working for Fred Meyer for over 20 years. Even after working on the frontlines throughout the pandemic, Kroger pays me less than my coworkers, simply because I am classified as the ‘General Merchandise receiver’, while the ‘Grocery receiver’ gets nearly 5 dollars more an hour. How is that fair? These companies have made a lot of profit while we have been working and struggling to be there for our customers and communities.” — Jeff Smith, Fred Meyer, General Merchandise Receiver

“Since the pandemic started, I don’t feel like Kroger takes safety seriously. As grocery store workers, we have all been put into positions where we have to be essentially like social workers — a job that we are neither trained nor equipped to do! Basic health precautions, like mandatory masking, sanitization, and plastic dividers, are all disappearing. Our employers are hanging us out to dry; it’s a big reason there’s so much turnover in our stores. If they want people to stay in this industry, they have to step up and take responsibility for employees’ health & safety at work!” — Amy Dayley Angell, QFC

After our fourth consecutive day of negotiations...

Kroger continues to fail to properly comply with even our most basic information request, which we have a legal right to possess in order to negotiate the wages we deserve. We can not bargain effectively without the information we have requested. Our union member negotiating team’s attempt to get the Employers to agree to a new contract has not made significant progress. What we all want is no secret: more respect, better safety protections, better scheduling, significant pay raises; and to finally do away with the historic inequities that pay some workers a lot less just because of the departments in which they work.

Addressing these issues will help us live better lives and build a better and safer experience for our customers when they shop. The Employers have so far been unwilling to agree to improvements that are needed to reach an agreement. So, it is time for us to take action.

Our union negotiation team is using our time between analyzing proposals building strength - calling through store Contract Action Team phone trees, preparing everyone for action when and should it be needed!

Plan of Action: 

We look forward to returning to the bargaining table with Safeway/Albertsons next week on April 13 and 14. We are waiting to hear from Kroger on when they will be available to meet next. Our Richland Fred Meyer bargaining team will be meeting with Kroger next Tuesday April 12 to win a fair first contract.

Informational Pickets on April 26 at your store, or a store near you. 

Our customers and communities are willing to stand with us, we just need to reach out and share our stories, and the informational pickets will provide an excellent opportunity to do so. RSVP for an informational picket April 26 at: bit.ly/april26infopicket

Unfair Labor Practice Charges

Members continue to learn to identify unfair labor practices in their workplaces so that we can continue to hold the Employers accountable. These ULPs range from safety and contract violations, to other threats to our well-being at work. These charges provide the force behind an Unfair Labor Practices Strike if left unresolved by the company.

United, Arm-in-Arm

Union staff and members flew out to Colorado (UFCW 7) during the freezing 10-day long grocery store worker strike a few short months ago and Union staff and members went to Southern California during their strike authorization votes last month. In both cases, the solidarity across all our local unions was a key to the success of those contract fights and we were able to share experiences, resources, and power. Now these local Unions - together representing over 80,000 grocery store workers- have pledged their willingness to come here to Washington and stand with us if it becomes necessary to strike.

• RSVP for an informational picket April 26 at RSVP at: bit.ly/april26infopicket

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

• Sign up for a Picket Captain Training Sign up at: bit.ly/groceryPCT

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

Meet the 2022 Grocery Store Workers Negotiations Team: Cliff Powers

Cliff Powers, Grocery Store Worker at Oak Harbor Safeway and UFCW 3000 Grocery Contract Negotiations Team Member

As we negotiate the 2022 Grocery Store Workers contract with the employers, let’s get to know your fellow grocery store workers who are part of our member-led bargaining team!

Cliff Powers has worked in Produce at Safeway 402 in Oak Harbor for over 33 years! Cliff is originally from Virginia, where many community members were union workers in the mining industry. Before pursuing a career in grocery, Cliff spent 12 years as an EMS worker. In his free time, Cliff is passionate about film photography and model railroading!

Cliff started getting involved with the union years ago, when his produce manager — who was the store’s shop steward at the time — invited him to various trainings on his rights at work. Since then, Cliff has become a reliable resource for his coworkers, helping them navigate workplace challenges and advocate for themselves.

“I joined the grocery contract negotiations team because I want my coworkers to have better quality of life. That means fair pay, the hours necessary to ensure our stores aren’t understaffed, and respect on the job!”

Meet the 2022 Grocery Store Workers Negotiations Team: Naomi Oligario

Naomi Oligario, grocery store worker at Port Orchard Safeway and UFCW 3000 grocery contract negotiations team member

As we negotiate the 2022 Grocery Store Workers contract with the employers, let’s get to know your fellow grocery store workers who are part of our member-led bargaining team!

Naomi Oligario has worked at Port Orchard Safeway for 37 years! She started as a courtesy clerk before working her way up to produce & front end. Throughout the years, she has trained countless other grocery store workers, all while getting to know customers as they’ve grown up and built families of their own. While this year is the first time Naomi is part of the contract negotiations team, she has been a shop steward for her store since 2015-2016. Naomi is a respected workplace leader, helping her coworkers win grievances for backpay, educating them on their rights at work, and pushing management to respond to employee concerns.

Naomi is a proud mother of four and grandmother to four! Her youngest grandson is 7 months old, and her youngest grandchild was born just a few weeks ago. Naomi is excited to visit her in Ireland — after we’ve won a fair contract!

“I’m here at the negotiations table because I want the coworkers who have put in years and decades of service in the grocery industry to be taken care of. I want folks who are new to the business to feel like they belong and can truly make a career out of this work. A rising tide lifts all boats!”

Meet the 2022 Grocery Store Workers Negotiations Team: Roger Yanez

Roger Yanez, Grocery Store Worker at Redmond QFC and UFCW 3000 Grocery Negotiations Team Member

As we negotiate the 2022 Grocery Store Workers contract with the employers, let’s get to know your fellow grocery store workers who are part of our member-led bargaining team!

Roger Yanez started working at Fred Meyer in 2007 before transferring to QFC 860 in Redmond, where he has been for several years. He started getting involved in the union about three years ago, after successfully winning a grievance. Since then, Roger has truly stepped up as a workplace leader, training to become his store’s shop steward, and helping answer his coworkers’ questions about their rights at work.

In his free time, Roger is an avid coin collector! He loves spending time with his family, and that’s one of his main motivations for joining the grocery contract negotiations team this year. He’s excited to fight for a fair contract that will allow his coworkers to spend more time with their families.

CHI St. Michael Medical Center RN - Bargaining Continues

“Management’s initial economic offer misses the mark, failing to come close to St. Joseph Medical Center’s recent wage increase.”

-Bargaining Team: Brett Moore, Cindy Franck, Kimberly Fraser McMillan, Michael Nord, Tammy Olson, and Janice Jones.

Our Bargaining Team met with Management again on April 5 to continue negotiations for the St. Michael Medical Center RN contract.

Before sending over their economic offer, Management gave our Bargaining Team a speech about the financial health of the medical center. Management outlined that the medical center is $45 million behind budget this year because of issues with patient length of stay, non-emergent procedure moratoriums, and the high number of travelers.

We countered by pointing out that if they agree to competitive wage increases for bargaining unit nurses, then they could retain and attract staff nurses and significantly cut down on the number of expensive travelers. We also noticed that they never mentioned that they are going into debt just not making as much money as they anticipated, which does not really concern our Bargaining Team. Management even admitted that they’ve noticed positive financial trends in March as the pandemic continues to abate.

Management’s Economic Proposal
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
8.00% 3.50% 3.50%

While we would have likely been excited about their initial offer in previous contract cycles, we are now in different times with historic inflation and a hyper-competitive labor market. In fact, their proposal is far behind the 11% wage increase that nurses at St. Joseph Medical Center recently won, even worse when you consider that they will receive an additional 4% increase later this year.

We also reminded Management that St. Michael Medical Center is in a unique geographic location, meaning that we need to pay a higher wage to attract nurses into Silverdale or, more importantly, stop nurses from commuting into Seattle.

Management also continued to REJECT our enhanced charge nurse language, guarantees that nurses won’t be responsible for EVS or billing work, permanent pandemic language that ensures nurses will be protected during the next public health emergency, and our addition of staffing ratios into the contract.

We are scheduled to meet with the employer on Monday, April 11 and then again on Wednesday, April 27.

Next Steps:

Our Bargaining Team invites you to join our official Facebook page to get the latest news regarding contract negotiations at: facebook.com/SMMCNURSES

Contract Action Team Meeting: Attend regular Contract Action Team (CAT) meetings to hear the latest updates regarding negotiations, plan actions to pressure Management, and learn how to get our co-workers involved. We’ve also started holding a separate Emergency Department meeting focused on discussing the serious issues faced by nurses working in the department.

Sticker Action! Reach out to our workplace leader or Union Rep Aimee Oien to get a stack of our “Hello Staffing Crisis” or “Hello Missed Breaks” stickers to wear in the workplace. The stickers are launching on April 7, so make sure to get yours soon!

QUESTIONS? Join your coworkers and hear from the Bargaining Team! Zoom links are in the text below.

Wednesday, April 6 @ 6 PM
Contract Action Team (CAT) Meeting

Tuesday, April 12 @ 6 PM
Emergency Department Meeting

Meet the 2022 Grocery Store Workers Negotiations Team: Maggie Breshears

Maggie Breshears, Grocery Store Worker at Greenwood Fred Meyer and UFCW 3000 Grocery Contract Negotiations Team Member

As we negotiate the 2022 Grocery Store Workers contract with the employers, let’s get to know your fellow grocery store workers who are part of our member-led bargaining team!

Maggie Breshears has worked at Greenwood Fred Meyer since 2013. Maggie started getting involved with the union when one of her co-workers lost health insurance in the middle of her cancer treatment. Since that experience, Maggie has become a leader in her store, serving first as a shop steward and then joining the grocery contract negotiations team in 2019.

Maggie’s biggest goal is to support her co-workers as best as she can. She frequently stands up to management, clarifies new policies, and educates co-workers on their rights at work. Maggie has also taken her advocacy outside of the workplace, testifying in support of hazard pay to the Seattle City Council when it initially passed.

“I am a firm believer that it is the people you work with that makes a job great, regardless of what work you do. And I work with some wonderful people. I will fight for them at the bargaining table, support them when management oversteps and join them in the fight for fair wages, safe workplaces and a contract that respects us as a vital part of the nation's food chain. When we work together, we can create change.“

Meet the 2022 Grocery Store Workers Negotiations Team: Enrique Romero

Enrique Romero, Grocery Store Worker at Bellingham Fred Meyer and UFCW 3000 Grocery Contract Negotiations Team Member; Photo by Jovelle Tamayo for The New York Times

As we negotiate the 2022 Grocery Store Workers contract with the employers, let’s get to know your fellow grocery store workers who are part of our member-led bargaining team!

Enrique Romero has worked at Fred Meyer since 2012 and currently works at Bellingham Fred Meyer. Enrique started getting involved with the union because he felt motivated by his coworkers’ negative experiences with management. He got in touch with his Rep, received Shop Steward training, and has been helping his coworkers learn about their rights and get connected to resources ever since.

Outside of work, Enrique enjoys spending time with his family, who live in Everett. He also practices pyrography — the art of precisely burning wood with intricate designs!

Enrique joined the grocery contract negotiations team this year because he wants to keep fighting for his coworkers and ensure we all have respect & dignity on the job.

“The revolving door is swinging off its hinges. The sets of challenges essential workers face are changing rapidly. A fair contract would go a long way in repairing a torn social contract. A fair contract would give workers back a sense of pride in our work.”

Grocery Store Worker Contract Negotiations Update: First Day of contract negotiations concludes

First Day of contract negotiations concludes

Today was the first day our union member negotiating team met with the Employer’s representatives. During contract negotiations each side will make proposals, and in the end, members will have a chance to vote on the final agreement. Over the past year we have been preparing to win a better contract by holding monthly Contract Action Team meetings, signing strike pledge cards committing to do whatever it takes to win a fair contract—including going on strike—and participating in trainings to learn more about our rights. Our member negotiations team is focusing on our top priorities:

• Win higher wages, especially at the top of our pay scales

• Create more equity in pay between departments

• Protect our high-quality, low-cost health care plan

• Keep our pension funded and secure

• Improve store safety and training

• Improve recruitment and retention so we have the proper staff to help us get the work done

“We have shared our priorities with the employer about wage increases, equity, and safety, we know that many of the Employers have made record profits during some of the most hazardous few years for workers. Now it is time for them to invest in their workers and the communities they serve.” — Kyong Barry, Albertsons & Suzi Geffre, Fred Meyer

We know that when we stand together and hold strong we can win. In 2019, successful contract negotiations resulted in the largest wage increases in our union’s history, improved safety language, stronger scheduling language, new workforce development and training language, maintained our health care benefits with no increase in costs, and perhaps the biggest win of all: secured and improved our retirement pension. We need to build on that success to build equity and prosperity for workers.

“The revolving door is swinging off its hinges. The sets of challenges essential workers face are changing rapidly. A fair contract would go a long way in repairing a torn social contract. A fair contract would give workers back a sense of pride in our work.” — Enrique Romero, Bellingham Fred Meyer

UFCW 3000 and Teamsters 38 members are preparing for informational pickets scheduled for April 26 bit.ly/april26infopicket, and signing up for picket captain trainings bit.ly/groceryPCT. Members are also taking action leafleting customers in front of our stores and asking them to support workers in our negotiations. If you would like to organize an action at your store, contact your Union Rep.

RSVP for an informational picket April 26 at RSVP at: bit.ly/april26infopicket

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

Sign up for a Picket Captain Training Sign up at: bit.ly/groceryPCT

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 

Meet the 2022 Grocery Store Workers Negotiations Team: Shawn Hayenga

Shawn Hayenga, Prepared Foods Team Member at Sand Point Metropolitan Market and UFCW 3000 Grocery Negotiations Team Member

As we negotiate the 2022 Grocery Store Workers contract with the employers, let’s get to know your fellow grocery store workers who are part of our member-led bargaining team!

Shawn Hayenga has worked as a Prepared Foods Team Member at Metropolitan Market in Sand Point since 2013. Shawn had worked in the grocery industry before, but this was her first union job and she became involved as a workplace leader immediately, helping her coworkers better understand their rights at work.

“My favorite part of the job is definitely my co-workers and our guests. I have met some amazing people over the years. My role as an essential worker provides endless opportunities to make someone's day, and it's an extraordinary feeling when I can do that!”

Shawn joined the grocery negotiations team this year because she is looking forward to working alongside members to share her coworkers’ stories. Shawn is excited to fight for a fair contract and demanding fair wage increases, including fewer hours to work up the wage scale, more secure scheduling, and benefits like transportation stipends to help members get to and from work.

Meet the 2022 Grocery Store Workers Negotiations Team: Wil Peterson

Wil Peterson, Fred Meyer CCK and UFCW 3000 Grocery Negotiations Team Member — Photo by KEVIN CLARK, THE Everett Herald

As we negotiate the 2022 Grocery Store Workers contract with the employers, let’s get to know your fellow grocery store workers who are part of our member-led bargaining team!

Wil Peterson started working at Fred Meyer in August of 2003 — first in the Home department and later transitioning into the Central Checkout (CCK) department. In his words:

“My favorite part of the job is interacting with customers and my colleagues. Over the years, I've formed tight bonds with many longtime shoppers. I've seen their children transition from infants to young adults, and I've provided moral support to these regulars during numerous challenges and triumphs. The same applies to my coworkers, many of whom feel like virtual-family members. We toil ‘in the trenches’ under often-difficult conditions, so a strong support network is important, now more than ever.”

Wil got involved with the union when, some years into his time at Fred Meyer, he successfully fought an unwarranted suspension with the help of his Rep. Since then, Wil has become more and more involved as a leader in his workplace and in the union. Wil joined the bargaining committee in 2019 and says that he learned many hard lessons about how to stand up to employers when they make insulting offers and about the importance of solidarity.

“We need higher, more-equitable pay for all workers, consistently safe workplace conditions, and opportunities for improved work-life balance. I hope that employers will finally recognize how essential their workforce is and compensate us accordingly. It shouldn't take a pandemic to underscore the vital role that we constantly play in our respective communities.”

Telephone Town Hall Call: Grocery Store Worker Contract Negotiation

Over 27,000 grocery store workers of UFCW 3000 and Teamsters 38 in Western Washington are coming together to negotiate for a better contract. Negotiations with the employers begin on Monday and will be followed by a 5 PM Live Telephone Town Hall. The call will focus on our plan to gain more respect, protections and better pay, answer your questions, and also go into details about winning better workplace training and safety. When your phone rings Monday at 5 pm, just answer and you will join the call. 
 
If for some reason you do not receive a call shortly after 5PM on Monday, or you get disconnected on the call, you can join us by dialing: 1-888-652-5399 and entering meeting ID 6692.

To learn more about how we are supporting workplace training, please read the following report published earlier this year by WE TRAIN WASHINGTON titled: “Investing in Essential Grocery Store Workers - A Blueprint for Workforce Development in Washington's Grocery Store Industry”

Read the previous Grocery Store Worker Contract Negotiation Updates Here >>

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 or RSVP here!

• Sign up for a Picket Captain Training 
  bit.ly/groceryPCT

• Join the UFCW 3000 Grocery Store Workers Facebook group >>

Grocery Store Worker Contract Negotiations Update

Contract Action Team meetings happening this week!

If you have not already attended a meeting RSVP to a CAT meeting today!

Update From California: As part of our ongoing effort to gain power and negotiate a better contract, we have been working closely and supporting other UFCWs across the west as they negotiate. Just last week, grocery store workers with Southern California Locals authorized an Unfair Labor Practice Strike. These are similar votes to what members in Colorado took before they went on strike earlier this year. Then, after a 10- day strike those members in Colorado won historic gains in their contracts.

Here in our state, members continue to sign strike pledge cards — committing to do whatever it takes to win a good contract. Members are also taking action leafleting customers in front of our stores and asking them to support workers in our negotiations. If you would like to organize an action at your store, contact your Union Rep.

Bargaining With Employer Starts Next Week: Our union member bargaining committee has dates set to meet with the employers next week from April 4-8. This will be an important week of negotiations.

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

Join our next Contract Action Team meeting! Call your Union Rep or a workplace leader or sign up here!

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

Sign up for a Picket Captain Training bit.ly/groceryPCT

Join the UFCW 3000 Grocery Store Workers Facebook group

Seattle Children’s Hospital - Our Pressure Is Working

On March 16 our team met with management for another collective bargaining session. We were pleased to see that our pressure in the field is starting to yield results as we were able to come to tentative agreement on many of our outstanding non-economic issues. Management provided us with an economic counter that made some progress towards the wages we need but feel short of addressing all of our economic concerns. In particular, management again denied providing much needed premium and differential increases, adequate individual and across the board wage increases, a competitive per diem premium, giving us more control over how our benefits are altered, and solutions to issues with our Time Away banks. 

On March 28 our team met with management again for a short joint session. Here our team provided our latest economic counter, which included both the wages increases we need and realistic proposals that would address all of the other outstanding economic issues we face. 

We will be meeting with management again this Thursday, March 31 for another collective bargaining session. At this meeting we hope management provides a holistic economic counter that includes solutions to all of our important concerns and ensures real top of the market wages for the life of the new contract. While we hope to be able to secure a full agreement in this meeting, we have made it clear to management that we will not settle for a contract that falls short of fully addressing the issues which are causing the current staffing crisis. 

Please keep an eye out for more updates following our next session. 

If you have any questions about bargaining or want to learn more about how you can help our team at the table, please contact our Union Rep Christie Harris at *206-436-6606 and request to join our Slack channel. 

*Note: this is an office line and cannot receive text messages

“Today some movement was made but not enough to settle. We work at a premier children’s hospital and we deserve a fair contract. We will not stop until we get our members the contract they deserve.”

— Ashley Strickland, Respiratory Transport

Our SCH bargaining team: 

Matt Brabant - Respiratory Educator, Madison Derksema - Pharmacy Tech, Angela Ballard – Surgical Tech, Kellie Koenig – Ultrasound Tech, Ashley Strickland – Respiratory Transport, Tyler Schaffer – Anesthesia Tech, Tesfaldet Kidanemariam – Respiratory Therapist 

Skagit Regional Health - We Need Real Solutions to the Issues We Face

“There is many topics we are still far from agreeing on and we need your input. We invite you to our CAT team meeting on April 19. Please don’t miss the chance to give your input.”

— Alina Delano, Ultrasound Tech

Your Bargaining Team: 

Aaron St. John – Central Supply Tech

Alina Delano – Ultrasound Tech

Ashley Price – Medical Assistant

Jill Douglass – Data Entry Clerk 

Maria Muñoz – Environmental Aid

Megan Osborn – Med Tech

Mike Koenig – Engineer

Rindi Atkins – Radiology Tech 

Thomas Kean – Exercise Physiologist

Katie Davis – Social Worker

On Wednesday, March 23, our bargaining team meet with management for our third joint negotiations session. Management provided responses to us on many of the non-economic proposals we made in our previous session, and we provided some additional proposals regarding premiums, float pay, and overtime. While our team was pleased to see that we are close to agreement on solutions to a couple of issues, we were disappointed to find that we are still far apart on many others. 

One of these other issues is regarding job postings, where management denied parts of our proposals that would ensure we would have priority over external applicants and that we have a definite timeline for moving into new positions. 

You’re Invited! 

RSVP to Our CAT Meetings

Management’s response shows us that we need to be ready to stand united and fight for solutions to all of the big issues we face. Please join us at one of our upcoming Virtual Contract Action Team (CAT) meetings on April 19 at 1PM and 6PM. RSVP below.

Tuesday, April 19

1:00PM

https://bit.ly/SRH-04191

6:00PM

https://bit.ly/SRH-04196

At our CAT meetings we will go into detail about the proposals we plan to make, have an opportunity for everyone to express the changes they want to see in our next contract, and talk about what we can do in the field to make sure our team is successful at the table. 

Our next negotiations session will be on April 13, stay tuned for future updates. 

If you have any questions about the bargaining process, please call our Union Rep Celia at (360) 419-4678. 

Grocery Store Worker Contract Negotiation Update

UFCW Locals in Southern California are taking Unfair Labor Practice Strike Authorization Votes this week. Our union has sent staff down to support the votes in Southern California and get on-the-ground training and experience for a potential strike.

The next round of Contract Action Team meetings will be held next week. RSVP to a CAT meeting today!

We continue to sign strike pledge cards and remain committed to taking action to win a good contract. If you would like to organize an action at your store, contact your union Rep! Our Negotiating Committee will meet with the employers April 4-8.

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

Join our next Contract Action Team meeting! Call your Union Rep or a workplace leader. or RSVP: bit.ly/CAT-March2022

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

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

Join the UFCW 3000 Grocery Store Workers Facebook group facebook.com/groups/286275170024264/

St. Michael Medical Center RN - Bargaining Continues

“We proposed competitive increases to wages and differentials that take into account both today’s competitive labor market as well as everything we’ve been through over the last few years. Management said they were disappointed with our aggressive proposal, but we made clear that we refuse to settle for a mediocre contract.” 

Your Bargaining Team: Brett Moore, Cindy Franck, Kimberly Fraser McMillan, Michael Nord, Tammy Olson, and Janice Jones.

Your Bargaining Team met with management again on March 9 to continue negotiations for the St. Michael Medical Center RN contract.  

At this session we finally presented our initial economic proposal to management, which was written to ensure that our wage scale will become (and stay) competitive with neighboring hospitals. We believe that “neighboring hospitals” is not just limited to Tacoma but should also include Seattle competitors that easily recruit nurses to commute across the water.  

We also recognize that St. Joseph Medical Center recently reached an agreement with their employer for an 11% raise, with another 4% in November, plus the removal of multiple ghost steps (years with 0% wage increases). Your Bargaining Team’s proposal was significantly higher than the SJMC agreement and also included the removal of our ghost steps. 

In addition to wage increases, your Bargaining Team proposed a new retention bonus program, increases to various differentials, and new language that would ensure equitable and timely incentive pay.

Our proposal shocked management, who said they were extremely disappointed and “taken aback.” They complained that our proposed increases would make St. Michael Medical Center nurses the highest paid in the entire state. While management is likely right, we believe that serious action is needed to attract and retain nurses.  

We expect to see a counter economic proposal from management during our next bargaining date on April 5. 

Your Bargaining Team invites you to join our official Facebook page to get the latest news regarding contract negotiations.

You’re Invited! 

Attend regular Contract Action Team (CAT) meetings to hear the latest updates regarding negotiations, plan actions to pressure management, and learn how to get your co-workers involved. Our next meeting is being held virtually Wednesday, April 6 @ 6:00PM

Wednesday, April 6

6:00PM

https://zoom.us/join

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

Grocery Store Worker Contract Negotiations Update

Contract Action Team meetings will be held the last week of March. RSVP to a CAT meeting today by contacting your Rep or workplace leader.

The next telephone town hall call is scheduled for Monday, March 21 at 5PM. We will discuss our plan to win better pay, safety and respect on the job. If you do not receive a call Monday at 5pm you can join the town hall call by calling 888-652-0386 and entering the meeting ID 6691.

We continue to sign strike pledge cards and remain committed to taking action to win a good contract by leafleting customers outside stores and asking them to support workers in the upcoming bargain. If you would like to organize an action at your store, contact your union Rep!

Southern California Locals are scheduled to take Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Strike Authorization Votes next week. Our worker-led Bargaining Committee will meet with the Employers April 4-8.

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

• Join the UFCW 3000 Grocery Store Workers Facebook group facebook.com/groups/286275170024264/

Skagit Regional Health - Bargaining Begins

“I am thrilled to be a part of our bargaining team for the second time. Today, we have finished up our second session, where we worked on strengthening our current contract language and incorporating new additions for our future contract.”

— Ashley Price, Medical Assistant

Your Bargaining Team: 
Aaron St. John – Central Supply Tech
Alina Delano – Ultrasound Tech
Ashley Price – Medical Assistant
Jill Douglass – Data Entry Clerk 
Maria Muñoz – Environmental Aid
Megan Osborn – Med Tech
Mike Koenig – Engineer
Rindi Atkins – Rad Tech 
Thomas Kean – Exercise Physiologist
Cindy Tjaden – Surgical Tech

On Wednesday, March 9, our bargaining team meet with management for our second joint negotiations session. We provided management with a full set of initial proposals on a myriad of topics including job posting, equity, pandemic safety, PTO requests, training recognition, bereavement leave, and much more. We are eager to hear management’s responses to our initial proposals at our next meeting on March 23, where we also plan to propose more improvements to our union contract. 

Our team will continue to work hard at the table to get us a strong new contract, but we can’t do it alone. We need the support of all of our coworkers behind us if we are going to get real solutions to the big issues we face!

Please join us for one of our upcoming Virtual Contract Action Team meetings, which will be held on Tuesday, March 15 at 1PM and 7PM.  At these meetings, we will discuss what we can do in the field to help support our team at the table. 

If you have any questions about the bargaining process, please call our Union Rep Celia at (360) 419-4678. 

You’re Invited! 

RSVP to Our CAT Meetings

Attend regular Contract Action Team (CAT) meetings to hear the latest updates regarding negotiations, plan actions to pressure management, and learn how to get your co-workers involved. 

Tuesday, March 15

1:00PM • 7:00PM

Grocery Store Worker Contract Negotiations Update

Our worker-led union Bargaining Committee met on March 8 to discuss and finalize our initial proposal. They then spent the remainder of the day in stores asking members to sign the Strike Pledge Card. We have secured bargaining dates with the employers for April 4-8. The next round of Contract Action Team meetings will be held in the last week of March.  

Join our next Telephone Phone Town Hall call on scheduled for March 21, where we will discuss our plan to win better pay, safety and respect on the job. 

Members continue to sign Strike Pledge Cards, committing to do whatever it takes to win a good contract.  

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

• Join the UFCW 3000 Grocery Store Workers Facebook group >>