Mental Health Resources

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Lots of people are in distress right now. If you, a family member, coworker, or friend is in need of emotional or mental health support, there are many places to reach out for help. Part of belonging to a union is being there for each other in difficult times, and we hope everyone can get help whenever they need it. 

If you are in crisis: Please reach out to the Suicide Lifeline: 800-273-8255 (800-799-4889 TTY) 

Other resources for people in a crisis: 

WASHINGTON STATE’S COVID-19 SUPPORT HOTLINE FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING STRESS:

  • Call “Washington Listens” at: 1-833-681-0211, available Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. TTY and language access services are available.

Tele-Health Mental Health Options from the Sound Health and Wellness Trust:

  • If you are on the PPO Plan: You can access Doctor on Demand’s team of licensed psychiatrists and psychologists for emotional support over the phone, fully paid for by the Trust. Click here to sign up for Doctor on Demand. 

  • If you are on the Kaiser Permanente Plan: You can call the Mental Health Access Center at 1-888-287-2680 to schedule a phone or video visit, and a trained clinician will help match you with a counselor or other specialist. 

Other Resources for You and Your Family’s Well-Being 

Read Washington State’s New Reopening Guidelines and Learn the Requirements for Employers and How to Enforce Them at Your Workplace

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Washington State has now released guidelines and requirements for a county-by-county reopening of our state. Each county in the state is expected to move through these phases as they meet the requirements for moving to the next phase, based on an assessment of COVID-19 disease activity, health care system readiness, testing capacity, the ability to investigate and trace cases, and the ability to protect high-risk people. 

Read the state’s guidelines and the four phases of reopening here 

Importantly, there are requirements for employers during all four phases designed to keep people safe at work. No matter what phase your county is in, your employer is required to: 

  • Maintain six-foot physical distancing requirements for employees and patrons 

  • Adopt other prevention measures such as barriers to block sneezes and coughs when physical distancing is not possible for a particular job task 

  • Provide you with and require you to wear cloth facial coverings (unless your exposure dictates an even higher level of protection, or you work alone without interacting with people, or you are or must communicate with someone deaf or hard of hearing who relies on visual language cues) – This requirement begins on June 8 

  • Allow you to wear your own facial coverings at work as long as it meets the minimum requirements 

  • Identify and provide you with adequate personal protective equipment in accordance with Labor & Industries requirements and specific COVID-19 standards 

  • Limit close interactions with patrons while providing services 

  • Provide adequate sanitation and personal hygiene for workers, vendors, and patrons 

  • Ensure you have access to hand washing facilities so you can wash your hands frequently with soap and running water 

  • Ensure frequent cleaning and disinfection of the business, particularly of high-touch surfaces 

  • Follow Governor Inslee’s proclamation protecting high-risk workers – Find a link to that proclamation here (Note: This proclamation is set to expire on June 12, but we expect it will be extended by the governor) 

  • Educate workers about COVID-19 in a language you best understand 

  • Have a plan for dealing with workers who are sick, including requiring COVID-19 positive employees to stay home and potentially restricting employees who were directly exposed to that employee 

  • Follow CDC cleaning guidelines to deep clean after reports of an employee with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 illness – this may involve the closure of a business until it can be properly disinfected 

  • Implement other practices appropriate for specific types of businesses on a case-by-case basis, as directed by federal, state and local public health and workplace safety officials, such as screening of employees for illness and exposures upon work entry, requiring non-cash transactions, etc. 

  • Implement any health and safety requirements developed specifically for your industry, comply with COVID-19 worksite-specific safety practices, and keep a safe and healthy facility in accordance with state and federal law 

 

If your employer does not follow all of these regulations all the time, you can report them for not keeping you, your coworkers, and your community safe. You can file a safety report with the union by emailing your name, work location, and safety issue to safetyreport@ufcw21.org. You can also contact the state’s Department of Safety and Health call center at 1-800-423-7233 or via e-mail to adag235@lni.wa.gov, and you can report a lack of social distancing via online form here. 

Our state also reminds everyone that it is against the law for any employer to take any adverse action such as firing, demotion, or otherwise retaliate against a worker they suspect of exercising safety and health rights such as raising safety and health concerns to their employer, participating in union activities concerning safety and health matters, filing a safety and health complaint or participating in a DOSH investigation. Workers have 30 days to file a complaint with L&I DOSH and/or with Federal OSHA.  

A message from UFCW 21 President Faye Guenther and other UFCW 21 leaders on the killing of George Floyd, our nation’s history of racism, and our union’s commitment to solidarity over white supremacy

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A message from UFCW 21 President Faye Guenther and other UFCW 21 leaders on the killing of George Floyd, our nation’s history of racism, and our union’s commitment to solidarity over white supremacy  

“Please, I can’t breathe.” George Floyd, seconds before his murder  

“As the tears run down my face, as I watched this man die, I ask myself, when will this end?” Eleanor Knight, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President and Shop Steward  

 “Such a shame. Hundreds of years of dehumanizing black people. I have not been this upset in about 20 years. Every time I see this on TV raw emotions overcome me, and nothing but tears continually roll down my face.” Sam Dancy, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President and Shop Steward 

“As a mother of biracial children, I sobbed. I could not even stop crying when I saw what the police did to this man. I fear for the safety of my own biracial children.”  Carrie Ann Perry, UFCW 21 Member 

We are filled with grief as we cope with two epidemics and a failed state response to both. One is a global pandemic that has killed over 100,000 of our brothers, sisters, and siblings here in the US. COVID-19, a disease that could have been minimized, but instead was allowed to devastate our nation, is highlighting the cracks in our foundation and illustrating the gross racial and economic inequalities that plague us. The second epidemic is the deep stain of racism rooted in the founding of our country and built into the fabric of our institutions.  

The widespread and institutional racism and violence against Black people in this nation goes back over 400 years. It is present and on the rise now, in 2020. This is outrageous. The list is long: police brutality, voter disenfranchisement, racism in hiring, health care, education. We stand for justice for Black people who have been murdered as a result of racist policies, practices, and actors. We lift up our collective voice and say their names: Emmett Till. Philando Castile. Sandra Bland. Michael Brown. Tamir Rice. Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery. George Floyd. The list could fill a book. We stand for justice for all Black people in this country. 

When communities of color are being repeatedly traumatized, when we see racist acts of hate and violence on full display played out online and splashed across televisions and newspapers, we remember that labor’s power comes from our ability to act collectively. Fear undermines our collective power. Racism undermines our collective power. Racism is the enemy of the working class. Racism is the enemy of organized labor. In acts of solidarity, we can gain hope, even where we may disagree. Martin Luther King said, “There comes a time when silence is betrayal.” For working people, there is no more time to remain silent. 

Please join with us in a movement for justice that we of United Food & Commercial Workers Local 21 are committed to help to build. We need your voices, your stories about the injustices that you have experienced and resisted, and we need your engagement in the continuing struggle. 

“I see you, I hear you, I mourn with you. Black Lives Matter.” Jeannette Randall, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President   


Share your voice:

Faye Guenther, UFCW 21 President 

Joe Mizrahi, UFCW 21 Secretary-Treasurer 

Fredel Albritton, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Kyong Barry, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Gregg Barney, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Maggie Breshears, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Greg Brooks, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Patricia Brown, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Christy Cyr, UFCW 21 Member

Sam Dancy, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Amy Dayley Angell, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Robin Grier, UFCW 21 Member

Tashia Hicks-Templeton, UFCW 21 Member

Eleanor Knight, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Atsuko Koseki, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President 

Mohamed N Muhidin, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Carrie Anne Perry, UFCW 21 Member

Jennifer Parker, UFCW 21 Member

Wil Peterson, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Cliff Powers, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Jeannette Randall, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Rob Shauger, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Scott Shiflett, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Chuck Svac, UFCW 21 Member

Richard Waits, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Sue Wilmot, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Zion, UFCW 21 Member

June 1: Telephone Town Hall Calls

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Join fellow union members for this week’s 

UFCW 21 Live Telephone Town Halls

Monday, June 1 

6:30pm 

Call-in number: 888-652-2664 

Meeting ID: 4865 

These meetings are an opportunity to come together to discuss workplace safety, ongoing campaigns for hazard pay, questions about things like childcare, unemployment, or mental health, and anything else going on in your workplace or community as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Join us by picking up the phone when we call you between 6:30 and 6:40pm on Monday, or you can call in yourself with the call-in information above. 

And we will be joined again by our partners at Teamsters 38. 

SUBJ: You’re invited: Mon. 6/1 at 5:30pm Union Tele-Town Hall Meeting 

 

Special Public Sector Telephone Town Hall Call 

Monday, June 1 

5:30pm 

Call-in number: 888-652-0386 

Meeting ID: 4864 

These meetings are an opportunity to come together to discuss workplace safety, ongoing campaigns for hazard pay, questions about things like childcare, unemployment, or mental health, and anything else going on in your workplace or community as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Join us by picking up the phone when we call you between 5:30 and 5:40pm on Monday, or you can call in yourself with the call-in information above. 

We will also be joined by workplace leaders from the Washington Public Employees Association UFCW 135. 

Health Care 

Monday, June 1 

7:30pm 

Call-in number: 888-544-2310 

Meeting ID: 4866 

These meetings are an opportunity to come together to discuss workplace safety, ongoing campaigns for hazard pay, questions about things like childcare, unemployment, or mental health, and anything else going on in your workplace or community as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Join us by picking up the phone when we call you between 7:30 and 7:40pm on Monday, or you can call in yourself with the call-in information above.

OTHER UPDATES: 

Washington State Reopening Non-emergency and Elective Medical/Dental Procedures 

As of May 17, health care and dental facilities are able to offer non-emergency and elective procedures only if they are able to meet the state’s safety criteria, including providing appropriate protective equipment for workers and patients and having a formal employee feedback process. Please review the information in this order and if you have new ideas about how we can help all members understand and enforce these safety guidelines, be in touch. 

WA State Reopening Non-emergency and Elective Medical/Dental Procedures

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Today Governor Inslee announced that Washington State will be allowing nonemergency medical and dental procedures to begin, provided that the facilities performing these procedures meet certain criteria. If facilities cannot meet all the criteria “in good faith and with reasonable clinical judgment,” they cannot perform non-urgent care. The proclamation is retroactive to midnight, May 17, 2020, meaning this care can begin immediately if facilities are able to meet the state’s safety criteria. 

Facilities and practices must assess the COVID-19 status in their communities in collaboration with local health jurisdictions, and have a plan to expand or contract care to accommodate COVID-19 surges and to meet all the requisite criteria for a safe expansion of care. The criteria for expanding non-urgent procedures include: 

  • Following the Department of Health’s personal protective equipment (PPE) conservation guidance, which will be regularly reviewed and updated by the DOH, as published on the DOH website 

  • Having a formal employee feedback process for direct input regarding care delivery processes, PPE, and technology 

  • Implementing policies for non-punitive sick leave that adhere to CDC’s return-to-work guidance 

  • Maintaining strict social distancing in patient scheduling, check-in process, positioning, and movements within a facility 

  • Using on-site fever screening and self-reporting of COVID-19 symptom screening for all patients, visitors, and staff 

  • Continuously monitoring capacity in the system to ensure there are resources to address potential surges of COVID-19  

There is lots of additional criteria for reopening, but we want to reiterate what the governor made very clear: Facilities must have appropriate personal protective equipment for their workers and patients. If they aren’t able to procure enough PPE, they cannot open. 

Read the full document and familiarize yourself with all the guidelines here. 

We know many health care and dental workers are facing furloughs or lost hours, and many people in our community have put off getting medical and dental care during this pandemic, so we are glad to see the state looking at a safe reopening of health care facilities and expansion of procedures. But we join with other health care unions in strongly emphasizing the importance of adequate PPE and other worker and patient safety protocols. If health care workers are not safe, the health care system cannot function. 

In the coming days we will be creating resources for health care and dental workers to use when assessing their workplace’s compliance with the governor’s newest order. If you suspect your workplace is not complying with the state’s orders, you are asked to do something you feel is unsafe, or you have questions or concerns about your or your coworkers’ safety: please contact your Shop Steward or Union Rep as soon as you can, or email safetyreport@ufcw21.org with your name, workplace, safety concern, and contact info. 

May 18: Telephone Town Hall Calls Call-in Information

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UFCW 21 Telephone Town Hall 

Monday, May 18 at 6:30 PM 

Call-in Phone Number: 888-652-5403 

Meeting ID: 4787 

Call in at 6:30 pm to join fellow UFCW 21 members in asking questions, sharing ideas, and hearing directly from one another on what we’re all doing to face the COVID-19 crisis, get the support we need, and stand up for working people. 

Health Care UFCW 21 Telephone Town Hall 

Monday, May 18 at 7:30 PM 

Call-in Phone Number: 866-304-0621 

Meeting ID: 4788 

Call in at 7:30 pm to join fellow UFCW 21 members in asking questions, sharing ideas, and hearing directly from one another on what we’re all doing to face the COVID-19 crisis, get the support we need, and stand up for working people. 

Under Pressure, Kroger Offers New One-Time Bonuses, We Continue to Stand Up for Our $2/hour Hero Pay

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Since Kroger (parent company of Fred Meyer and QFC) told us they plan to eliminate our $2/hour hero bonus on May 17, workers have been stepping up to take action, alongside workers at other UFCW locals around the country. Hundreds of UFCW 21 members spoke up to share what it’s really like to work in grocery stores during a pandemic, and we got our customers and allies to contact the corporate office and demand they make our stores safer and don’t cut our pay.  

On Friday we held rallies with community allies outside two Fred Meyer stores in North Bellingham and Burien calling on Kroger not to cut hero pay, and other UFCW locals held actions as well. After these actions, Kroger announced they will be paying out a $400 bonus to full-time workers/$200 bonus to part-time workers. We will keep up the pressure on Kroger, as they have a lot more work to do to show essential workers that we are valued and safe at work. But this decision shows we can have an impact when we take action together. Eli from North Bellingham Fred Meyer, says: “The fight isn’t over by a long shot, but today’s victory feels very good!” 

We continue to fight for hazard pay for all workers during this public health crisis, and for safe workplaces for everyone. 

TAKE ACTION: 

MEDIA COVERAGE: 

Update on 2020 Election of UFCW Local 21 Officers

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Dear UFCW 21 Members,

The UFCW 21 Officer Elections Nomination and Petition Notice stated a schedule that had both telephonic/virtual Zoom and in-person nominations meetings. In order to comply with the update to the Governors Stay Home Stay Healthy Order, which included Phases to reopening, I am cancelling all the in-person nomination meetings on June 2, 2020 at 3 pm. Per the notice, this meeting is now going to be held through a telephonic/virtual Zoom meeting at 3 pm in lieu of the in-person meetings being held at UFCW 21 offices in Mount Vernon, Seattle, Silverdale, and Spokane.

Call-In information for this call is listed on the UFCW 21 Notice of Nominations & Elections for the 2020 Election of UFCW Local 21 Officers mailer.

If you have any questions in regards to this update or any other questions about the Officer Elections please call me directly at (206) 436-6571.

Thank you,

Maria Milliron
UFCW 21 Election Chairperson


Masks for UFCW 21 Members

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Our member-led executive board knows firsthand how hard it is for working people during this COVID-19 pandemic, and we are so proud of UFCW 21 members everywhere for serving our communities, stepping up to help each other and keep each other safe, and caring for our families and loved ones during a public health crisis. 

When the CDC released recommendations that we should all be wearing cloth masks in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the board moved to purchase cloth barrier masks for our fellow UFCW 21 members. We contracted with a local union company to produce these masks. 

Masks are now arriving, and Shop Stewards are distributing them to coworkers. We will continue to distribute masks as more of them arrive. As we have throughout this pandemic, we are still fighting for everyone’s employer to provide them adequate protective equipment at work, the hazard pay we deserve for the work we are doing, and support for everyone facing the economic impacts of the pandemic. 

Thank you to every UFCW 21 member. We are union strong! 

Members take action, Governor responds with mandated customer limits and other protections

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Grocery employers’ failure to enforce social distancing requirements in their workplaces has led to member actions across the state. UFCW 21 has been advocating for stricter limits on customer counts backed by members’ dramatic stories, testimonials, and petitions. Fred Meyer workers have been especially concerned about the issue of customer counts because they say the company’s self-imposed limit of 50% was inadequate to begin with and rarely enforced. 

“We have one of the busiest stores and no one is seeing the customer numbers drop. I make homemade masks for free for my co-workers because I want us safer. The top treats us like numbers instead of people.  We have names, we are important, treat us like we are your family and respect us."  -S., Fred Meyer 

“There needs to be a limit on the customers allowed in the store at a time, masks and gloves should be required, and social distancing enforced.”  -Bella, Fred Meyer 

Governor Jay Inslee has responded to frontline grocery workers’ safety concerns by requiring retail stores to limit customer counts to 30% of maximum occupancy during Phase 2 of the State’s Covid-19 response plan. 

Thanks to workers speaking up, the state’s new rules include: 

  • Limiting store occupancy to 30% of maximum building occupancy or lower.

  • Distance markers to help maintain 6-foot social distancing in lines both inside and outside the store.

  • Conspicuous signage at entrances and throughout the store alerting staff and customers to the required occupancy limits, six-foot physical distancing guidance, and policy on face coverings.

  • Sneeze guards or other barriers wherever there’s potential interaction between employees that could be less than 6 feet.

  • Frequently cleaning and sanitizing, especially high-touch areas.

  • Maintaining minimum six-foot separation between all employees and customers in all interactions at all times.

  • When that’s not feasible, they must use other prevention measures such as barriers or staggered breaks and shifts.

  • Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, face shields and face masks as appropriate or required to employees for the activity being performed. 

  • Ensuring frequent and adequate hand washing with adequate maintenance of supplies. 

Read the state’s full guidance here.

If your employer is not following these guidelines, you can report them directly to the State of Washington for violating the governor’s order. 

Report Violations
 

UFCW 21 Political Director Samantha Grad said the voice of frontline workers was essential in moving the Governor to action: “It only happened because UFCW 21 members were sharing what it’s like in their stores and why it’s dangerous for workers and customers. We are grateful to Governor Inslee for listening to workers and taking action to protect our communities.” 

Tell Kroger CEO Don't Cut Worker Pay

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Don’t cut essential pay 4.jpg

New company filing today: Kroger (parent of QFC and Fred Meyer) paid CEO Rodney McMullen $21.1 million last year – 789 times more than the median employee and a 75% increase over the year before.*

Now McMullen says the company will cut workers’ pay on May 17th -- eliminating the $2/hour “Hero Pay” bonus it coughed up beginning in April. 

Tell Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen: Don’t cut grocery worker pay during a pandemic! 

Fred Meyer & QFC Customers: Tell Corporate to Support Their Workers

*Source: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/56873/000114036120011379/nc10008523x1_def14a.htm

Median worker pay in 2019: $26,790 

We wanted to let our customers and community know: As grocery store workers, we are proud of the work we do every day to get people the food and supplies they need. But our jobs have become more demanding, dangerous, and stressful during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read our Stories Here

SEND A MESSAGE TO KROGER THAT YOU STAND WITH FRED MEYER AND QFC WORKERS FOR SAFE STORES AND AGAINST PAY CUTS!

We're exposed to hundreds or thousands of people each week, which means an elevated risk of bringing COVID-19 home to our loved ones. We need the executives at Fred Meyer and QFC to keep workers and customers safe. We need meaningful limits on the number of shoppers entering stores. And now their parent company Kroger says it will take away our $2/hour “Hero Pay” on May 17th – even though the added burdens and risks of working through COVID-19 remain.

National Leader to Testify At Senate Hearing On Coronavirus Deaths and Infections Among Food Workers

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 12, 2020

**TODAY, May 12 at 2:30PM ET**

National Leader to Testify At Senate Hearing On Coronavirus Deaths and Infections Among Food Workers

Marc Perrone, International President of Largest U.S. Food Retail and Meatpacking Union, to Testify on Growing Threat To American Workers and Food Supply, Urge Congress to Put Worker Safety First

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, May 12 at 2:30PM ET, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union, which represents 1.3 million workers in food and retail, will testify in a U.S. Senate hearing on the growing number of deaths across the food industry from COVID-19 and the threat to America’s food supply. The U.S. Senate hearing will highlight the push to exempt businesses from liability for ensuring the safety of their employees during the ongoing pandemic.

The following are excerpts from prepared remarks UFCW International President Marc Perrone will deliver today at 2:30pm in front of the U.S. Senate hearing on employer liability: 

“UFCW supports measures to make workers safer and rejects calls for employer immunity, which would only exacerbate the current crisis. It is not just wrong for workers; it will endanger the very food supply we must all strive to protect. The best way to keep our essential businesses up and running, and to reopen additional businesses, is to ensure that workers have essential protections they need.

“This virus does not care whether you are Republican or Democrat, and when it comes to such a national crisis, neither should we. Without standardized and uniform protections, and when no one at the federal level is holding these companies responsible, I can promise you that these workers will continue to get sick and die.”

“Protecting these workers is not about dollars and cents, it is about life and death. It is about this simple fact – we can’t protect America’s food supply unless – and until – we protect America’s food workers.”

**Livestream: Click here to watch today’s 2:30pm U.S. Senate hearing on employer liability**

Background:

During the testimony, President Marc Perrone will discuss the conditions grocery workers and meatpacking workers face on the frontlines of the outbreak, share best practices and safety standards that must be followed, and talk about how to protect America’s food supply. 

Since the beginning of this pandemic UFCW has been proactive in advocating for the best and necessary safety standards to protect America’s food supply, grocery workers and meatpacking workers. The below is a summary of measures UFCW has urged employers and elected leaders to immediately implement:

  • Prioritize Essential Workers for Testing: To protect grocery and meatpacking workers and the food supply, these essential workers must be prioritized for testing.

  • Immediate Access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): All grocery, meatpacking and food processing workers must have priority access to the critical personal protection equipment necessary to do their job and reduce the risk of exposure. 

  • Immediate Halt On Line Speed Waivers: USDA’s recent approval of 11 regulatory waivers for poultry plants to increase line speeds shows a reckless disregard for worker safety during this pandemic. The USDA must immediately cease granting any new waivers and suspend all existing waivers that allow plants to operate at faster speeds.

  • Mandate Social Distancing Where Possible: Companies must enforce and practice six-foot social and physical distancing to the greatest extent possible, even if it slows production. When not possible, companies should use plexiglass barriers and/or ensure all workers have masks that can safely be used. 

  • Isolate Workers Who Show Symptoms or Test Positive for COVID-19: It is critical to identify and isolate workers who test positive or exhibit COVID-19 symptoms. These workers must be allowed to quarantine at home, with pay, per CDC recommendations. 

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 The UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States, representing 1.3 million professionals and their families in grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries.

Our members help put food on our nation’s tables and serve customers in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at www.ufcw.org.

Reporting safety issues at businesses

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Our state’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has produced a document with their recommendations for grocery stores to ensure that stores comply with the state’s social distancing requirements. Find a printable PDF of this document on the L&I website here. 

If you think your store is not following social distancing protocols, there are lots of ways to report that, including via safety and health complaints or through the state’s COVID-19 social distancing report form, or by emailing UFCW 21 at safetyreport@ufcw21.org. 

state reporting system

May 11: COVID-19 Telephone Town Hall for UFCW 21 Members – Call-In Only!

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Note: This week’s Telephone Town Hall meetings are call-in only, meaning you must call the number below to join in.

Join us for a town hall call to ask questions, share ideas, hear from your fellow members and union leadership, and work together to face the COVID-19 crisis and stand up for working people.

We are testing different methods to make these calls better for everyone, so this week’s is call-in only. You will not receive a call at the meeting time, so mark your calendar and call in at the number and time below:

Monday, May 11

6:30 pm

Phone number: 844-227-7553

Meeting ID: 4677

Health Care Members Call:

Monday, May 11

7:30 pm

Phone number: 844-227-7561

Meeting ID: 4678


COVID-19 Updates and Resources from the Sound Health and Wellness Trust

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If you access health insurance through the Sound Health and Wellness Trust, there have been some important updates to our coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us have bargained for this affordable family health insurance over the years, and our representatives at the Trust have advocated during this crisis for some expansions in our coverage. If you have any questions about this information or about your coverage, you should reach out directly to the Trust at soundhealthwellness.com or by calling (206) 282-4500 or (800) 225-7620 (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm). 

 

Covering COVID-19 Testing 

Testing for COVID-19 is paid for 100% by the Trust. If you are covered by the Trust and had to pay for a COVID-19 test already, call them at (206) 282-4500 or (800) 225-7620 (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm) and see if this can be resolved. 

 

Virtual Care Options 

In order to stay home during this outbreak and still consult a medical professional for advice as quickly as possible, many people are looking to phone or online medical services. Virtual care is fully paid for by the Trust. Here are the options for the two covered plans: 

PPO Plan Participants 

  • Doctor on Demand is a confidential virtual medical care service available 24/7 to treat non-emergency health conditions like colds, flu, migraines, urinary tract infections, and more. 

  • The Nurse Line is available 24/7 and gives you access to trained registered nurses who can help you find reliable information so you can make informed health care decisions. Call (877) 362-9969, option 1 to reach the Nurse Line. 

  • Virtual visits: Check with your primary care physician about phone or video visits 

Kaiser Permanente Plan Participants 

  • The Consulting Nurse Helpline is available 24/7 and gives you access to trained registered nurses who can help you find reliable information so you can make informed health care decisions. Call (800) 297-6877 or (206) 630-2244 (TTY 711). 

  • Phone appointments, Care Chat, and e-visits are available at Kaiser Permanente. 

 

Expanded Behavioral Health Coverage 

With the recent COVID-19 outbreak, the Trust is offering virtual care with licensed mental health providers for both PPO and Kaiser Permanente Plan participants.  

PPO Plan Participants: 

  • Doctor On Demand’s diverse team of licensed psychiatrists and psychologists can provide the emotional support you need from the privacy and comfort of home. This program is available for the next six months and is fully paid for by the Trust.  

Kaiser Permanente Plan Participants 

  • Call the KPWA Mental Health Access Center at 1-888-287-2680 or (206) 901-6300 to schedule a phone or video visit. A trained clinician will ask a few questions, and help match you with a counselor or other specialist. 

 

Waivers During COVID-19 Shutdowns 

The Board of Trustees of Sound Health & Wellness Trust has adopted certain temporary benefit changes to help participants who may be impacted by COVID-19 keep health coverage during this time. If you stopped working or worked reduced hours in March or April 2020 due to a COVID-19-related reason, contact the Trust at (206) 282-4500 or (800) 225-7620 to see if your coverage can continue. 

Will you STAND WITH US for Safety and Fair Pay?

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Send a message of support

Fred Meyer & QFC Customers: Tell Corporate to Support Their Workers

We wanted to let our customers and community know: As grocery store workers, we are proud of the work we do every day to get people the food and supplies they need. But our jobs have become more demanding, dangerous, and stressful during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Send a message to Kroger that you stand with Fred Meyer and QFC workers for safe stores and against pay cuts!

Send a message of support

We're exposed to hundreds or thousands of people each week, which means an elevated risk of bringing COVID-19 home to our loved ones. We need the executives at Fred Meyer and QFC to keep workers and customers safe. We need meaningful limits on the number of shoppers entering stores. And now their parent company Kroger says it will take away our $2/hour “Hero Pay” on May 17th – even though the added burdens and risks of working through COVID-19 remain.

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#EssentialHeroes

Messages from your community Grocery Store Workers

I value my relationships and friendships with customers. But right now I’m worried about my mental health and fatigue. Kroger management: Come visit our stores, and see what it's like, witness what we’re going through until this is over. Come and help us! 

-Tanya, Fred Meyer

We are tired, scared and tired! We are a BIG PART of what people are calling the “front line.” We deserve hazard pay for putting our lives on the line. We are a very important part of why your store is open during this hard time. 

-Sherrie, Fred Meyer

We have one of the busiest stores and no one is seeing the customer numbers drop. I make homemade masks for free for my co-workers because I want us safer. The top treats us like numbers instead of people.  We have names, we are important, treat us like we are your family and respect us. Do better by us workers. 

-Sheryl, Fred Meyer

We deserved higher pay even BEFORE the COVID crisis. Grocery workers work incredibly hard, and making near minimum wage is insulting. 

-John, QFC 

It's far more difficult than it's ever been, and management is giving the impression that their money is worth more than our lives. 

-Jacob, Fred Meyer

It's a nightmare. I'm being run ragged getting carts, cleaning what I have to clean, and keeping up with the people wanting help to their cars, while trying to accommodate the new measures that Kroger is implementing that affect my position. We deserve more than an extra $2 an hour. I’m scared of coming into contact with someone or something with COVID-19 and bringing it home to my family, who is at risk.  

-Isobel, Fred Meyer

I'm worried about workers not being protected enough during this pandemic. We can allow 900 customers into our store and there is no way we can socially distance with even a fraction of that amount of customers in our store. It's not fair that the company gets to act like they're doing something when in reality it doesn't do anything substantial to protect their workers. I love the team I'm on and the people I work with. But I'd say that most of Kroger management doesn't have to be in a store that allows thousands of people in every single day. It's easy for them to make these decisions, but they're not the ones who have to actually work through this pandemic day in and day out. We deserve better protection. 

-Cody, Fred Meyer

Conditions are more stressful and anxiety inducing than ever before. The extra labor involved in constantly sanitizing the store is intense and deserves at least the $2-an-hour hazard pay. It feels like expectations from management, although for a good cause, are unrealistic given the amount of staff and business my store does on most days. We should be compensated for the extra labor we do on a daily basis to keep ourselves and our customers safe. 

-Anna, QFC

Every single day is like Christmas and Black Friday are happening. We’ve been so busy, and now they’re cutting our hours.  

-Bob, Fred Meyer 

I am worried about getting sick and taking it home to my family. I can't stay home and get paid—unlike like the higher-up corporate people that aren't out here on the front line risking their lives and the well-being of their families. They are paid much more than those of us here working our behinds off. And they can’t pay us more? I’d tell them to do our job for an entire week and see how they are when it’s over. 

-Sonja, Fred Meyer

GROCERY STORE UNIONS CALL ON KROGER TO CEASE PLANS TO ELIMINATE HERO PAY FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS, IMPROVE SAFETY IN STORES

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UFCWs 7, 21, 324, 367, 555, 770, 1439 and IBT 38

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2020 | 3  PM Pacific
Contact: Tom Geiger, UFCW 21, 206-604-3421

GROCERY STORE UNIONS CALL ON KROGER TO CEASE PLANS TO ELIMINATE HERO PAY FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS, IMPROVE SAFETY IN STORES

AS GROCERY STORES ACHIEVE RECORD PROFITS AND CORONAVIRUS CONTINUES TO SPREAD, UFCW LOCALS REPRESENTING OVER 100,000 OF THESE #ESSENTIALHEROES ACROSS THE WEST URGE KROGER TO MAINTAIN HERO PAY AND ADDRESS SAFETY CONCERNS

Puget Sound Region, WA – Kroger-owned grocery stores across the West notified essential grocery workers that starting May 17th, the company will eliminate the $2.00 an hour bonus called “Hero Pay.”  Grocery store employees, deemed essential workers by the government, are a constant on the frontline in all natural disasters or national crises-- risking their lives to ensure America is fed no matter what.

In response to Kroger’s announcement, UFCW Local Unions are calling on the public to support these #EssentialHeroes in California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming asking Kroger to maintain Hero Pay and improve store safety practices and provide testing to all employees as COVID-19 continues to plague local communities, and the UFCW membership.

“We have been working hard from day one of this crisis, putting our own health at risk to serve our community, and now Kroger’s response is to say that they are going to take away our pay. Meanwhile in many stores they are still dropping the ball on limiting the number of people in the store at one time to allow proper social distancing,” said Chuck Svac, a member of UFCW 21 from the Fred Meyer store in Port Orchard.

Fred Meyer and QFC are the two Kroger store banners in the Puget Sound area.

Together, these local unions represent over 100,000 essential grocery workers in these five western states and approximately 55,000 of these are at Kroger stores. Unions have seen an uptick in cases of infection of COVID-19 amongst their respective grocery worker members.

“We will continue to recognize and support the frontline workers through this COVID-19 crisis and beyond and demand that their employer do the same by continuing to pay the $2.00/hr "HERO" pay and provide a safe working environment for these workers,” said Steve Chandler, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 38. “These workers have proven themselves as dedicated employees of Kroger which is reflected in them tirelessly serving the customers on a daily basis.”

The decision by Kroger to rip away this well-deserved pay increase comes at the same time these essential grocery workers -- American heroes -- are mourning the loss of their Union brothers and sisters to COVID-19 and more workers are falling ill.

Seven UFCW Local unions across the Western US and Teamsters 38 in Snohomish County, representing over 55,000 members who work at Kroger stores, have united to bring attention to Kroger’s unjustified decision to take away Hero Pay as states reopen. We encourage customers to support grocery workers as these #EssentialHeroes and continue to support them during local stay-at-home orders and the global pandemic. Local Unions are also continuing to call on Kroger to more effectively limit the number of shoppers in a store at one time in order to allow for safe 6 ft distancing, and also have all workers and shoppers wear masks.

Please support your community grocery workers—our #EssentialHeroes—by  telling Kroger how you feel about their takeaway of the Hero pay.

For more information visit on how to get involved visit UFCW21.org and Teamsters38.org

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STANDING WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

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Many of UFCW 21’s community partner organizations are facing unprecedented financial stress as they seek to support some of the most vulnerable people in our communities: those who are in detention centers, people who don’t have homes, those experiencing domestic violence, and others.

Spring is the typical fundraising season for these organizations, some receive a sizable part of their yearly budget during these events, however, to keep us all as safe and healthy as possible they have been forced to cancel them, jeopardizing their ability to sustain their work.

But you can still help. 

In addition to the annual support UFCW 21 members collectively offer these organizations, we are encouraging you if possible, to consider supporting their vital efforts.  

All of these community organizations are non-profits and receive funding from government agencies, foundations, and donations from individual supporters.  While funding from the government and private foundations is drying up, individuals can still help.

We know it will take all of us to overcome this.

Each month we will share information on all the organizations that are holding fundraisers and/or who have reached out for support.

Please consider donating to at least one of these organizations this month. Click on the organization name and you’ll be redirected to their donation page.

GIVE to Y-WE

Y-WE cultivates the power of diverse young women to be creative leaders and courageous changemakers through transformative programs within a collaborative community of belonging. We envision a society rooted in social justice, where all young women live their truth, achieve their dreams, and change our world.

 

GIVE to API Chaya

API Chaya empowers survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking to gain safety, connection, and wellness.  We build power by educating and mobilizing South Asian, Asian, Pacific Islander, and all immigrant communities to end exploitation, creating a world where all people can heal and thrive.

 

GIVE to One America

OneAmerica advances the fundamental principles of democracy and justice at the local, state, and national levels by building power within immigrant communities in collaboration with key allies.

 

GIVE to Real Change

Real Change exists to provide opportunity and a voice for low-income and homeless people while taking action for economic, social and racial justice.

 

Any amount, big or small, makes a difference! 

Thank you for supporting local communities!

May 4: Telephone Town Hall Call about safety, resources, actions, and next steps

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May 4: UFCW 21 Telephone Town Hall Calls

These weekly Town Halls are a chance to ask questions, share ideas, and hear directly from fellow UFCW 21 members, union leadership, and others on what we’re all doing to face the COVID-19 crisis and stand up for working people. 

Don’t forget to share your experience: we’re collecting the voices of working people during the COVID-19 crisis to share with the public. Take the survey here >>  

Monday, May 4 @ 6:30pm 

You will receive a call at the number on file for you between 6:30 – 6:40 pm, but if you miss the call or don’t receive one, please call in at 888-652-0377. If it asks you for a Meeting ID, use 4675. 

Monday, May 4 @ 7:30pm Health Care Members

You will receive a call at the number on file for you between 7:30 – 7:40 pm, but if you miss the call or don’t receive one, please call in at 888-652-0379. If it asks you for a Meeting ID, use 4676. 

It's time to share our voices with the public. Tell your Story.

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What is going on at your workplace? Are you working during this crisis? Facing lost hours or unemployment? What do our elected leaders and our communities need to know about what it's really like for working people during this crisis?

We'll be sharing these quotes on our website and/or social media to get the word out and build support for the changes we need.

Tell your story