Monday, June 5 @ 12—3PM
Southcenter Mall - Food Court, 2800 Southcenter Mall, Seattle
Tuesday, June 6 @ 3—4PM
Alderwood Mall - Elemental Pizza, 3000 184th St SW #948, Lynnwood
Join your coworkers to prepare for upcoming negotiations and how to win a fair contract! If you have any questions, please contact a Bargaining Team member or Union Rep.
“Our Union Bargaining Team is disappointed and outraged by the employer’s insulting initial economic proposal, which blatantly disregards the skyrocketing cost of living and the value of long-term employees.”
— Curtisy Bryant
Bargaining Team: Azia Domingo, Curtisy Bryant, Emily Hunter, Liisa Luick.
Our Union Bargaining Team met with the employer on May 31, 2023 to receive their initial economic proposal.
Macy’s initial proposal included:
An insulting $0.35 wage increase per year
Elimination of all wage progressions/scales
Rejection of all the Union’s commission proposals
Plan to replace our holiday language with the employer’s non-union holiday program
The Employer’s proposal for a lousy $0.35 wage increase is totally unacceptable and insulting. And to make matters worse, they don’t seem to care about our years of service by wanting to scrap wage progressions altogether. It’s a slap in the face to long-term employees who won’t be able to move up the ladder compared to new hires. This is already a big problem, and their proposal would only make it worse, making it clear they don’t value our experience and dedication.
To make matters worse, the Employer intends to replace our holiday language with their non-union program. Under this program, holiday pay (1.5x pay) would only be provided on Thanksgiving and Christmas (one of which we are already been closed), and potentially on “Key Business Days” that will be determined solely by management.
The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that the Employer’s holiday proposal includes loopholes that would possibly allow them to schedule no Key Business Days or even completely eliminate the holiday program. It is worth noting that the employer scheduled four Key Business Days last year, but there is no guarantee that they will continue to do so in the future. Our Union Bargaining Team firmly stands against any language that grants the employer the discretionary power to cease the holiday program at their own whim.
Take action for a fair contract NOW! Sign the strike pledge card today in solidarity against the employer’s insulting initial economic offer.
We, the workers at Macy’s, demand that Management agrees to a fair contract that offers:
Fair wage increases that keep up with skyrocketing inflation,
High quality affordable healthcare,
Significant safety improvements for both workers and customers.
Bargaining Team: Azia Domingo, Curtisy Bryant, Emily Hunter, Liisa Luick
Our Union Bargaining Team met with management again on May 11 to continue negotiations for our next contract. After winning stronger safety language earlier in the week, our Bargaining Team decided it was finally time to submit our initial economic proposal.
Workers at the furniture galleries have reported concerns about the effect of minimum wage on sales associates draws, longer operating hours during times when customers are not shopping, and frustration with the current deficit wipe off process.
In response, our Bargaining Team proposed:
New language that establishes a cap on sales associates draw rate, regardless of the actual wage rate.
...A significant wage scale revamp for non-sales associates that ensures wages keep up with the cost of living and honors our years of service,
...Commission increases to each tier (i.e. standard, premier, elite),
...Bimonthly deficit wipe-offs for all sales associates,
...and a new high-quality and affordable Union healthcare option.
We know that Macy’s will not give into any of our demands without a serious fight, but we are willing to do what it takes to earn the respect that we deserve from our employer.
Show Macy’s that you are willing to join the fight and do whatever it takes to win a fair contract by SIGNING THE STRIKE PLEDGE CARD!
We, the workers at Macy’s, demand that Management agrees to a fair contract that offers:
Fair wage increases that keep up with skyrocketing inflation,
High quality affordable healthcare,
Significant safety improvements for both workers and customers.
Bargaining Team: Azia Domingo, Curtisy Bryant, Emily Hunter, Liisa Luick
Our Union Bargaining Team met with management again on May 11 to continue negotiations for our next contract. After winning stronger safety language earlier in the week, our Bargaining Team decided it was finally time to submit our initial economic proposal.
Workers reported on the bargaining survey that new hires are being paid nearly the same as long term employees, draw vs. commission deficits are pilling up, and our current healthcare options are eating away at our paychecks.
In response, our Bargaining Team proposed:
A significant wage scale revamp that ensures our wages keep up with the cost of living and honors our years of service,
...Increases to all commissions,
...Bimonthly deficit wipe-offs for all draw vs. commission associates,
...and a new high-quality and affordable Union healthcare option.
We know that Macy’s will not give into any of our demands without a serious fight, but we are willing to do what it takes to earn the respect that we deserve from our employer.
Show Macy’s that you are willing to join the fight and do whatever it takes to win a fair contract by SIGNING THE STRIKE PLEDGE CARD!
We, the workers at Macy’s, demand that Management agrees to a fair contract that offers:
Fair wage increases that keep up with skyrocketing inflation,
High quality affordable healthcare,
Significant safety improvements for both workers and customers.
Our union Bargaining Team met with the Employer on May 16.
Our Bargaining Team member, Hannah Corprew, from the University Way location was representing her colleagues and coworkers at the bargaining table.
During a long and productive bargaining day, the Employer responded to our first proposal from April 21 with a counter proposal, including on noneconomic issues such as union recognition and representation, employment practice, and more.
Our Bargaining Team worked to draft proposals on holidays, seniority and hours of work and overtime.
We agreed to continue our bargaining meetings later this summer when the Employer will be available to meet again.
Meanwhile, our Bargaining Team will be working on drafting more bargaining proposals, including our opening economic proposal.
“As we complete our first full day of bargaining with Deep Roots I feel hopeful that we will be able to win a good first contract that respects all parties and helps make Deep Roots a better company.”
- Hannah Corprew, Bargaining Team Member
Our Bargaining Team: Trevor Peterson, Dani Fisher, and Mary Grace Diaz
This week, our Bartell Bargaining Committee met to audit the contract and plan next steps for building power within our stores. The committee discussed the upcoming bargain with Bartell Drugs, now owned by Rite Aid. We reviewed the current contract and discussed language changes and article proposals, focusing on the top priorities that we identified last meeting, including winning better pay, increasing safety at the stores, keeping good affordable healthcare coverage, maintaining strong retirement, addressing scheduling issues and building more power in the drug store industry.
The committee will be meeting again in May to continue crafting bargaining proposals and discuss how we can best address safety concerns at our workplaces.
Do you have ideas for how to make our workplaces safer? If yes, contact your Union Representatives or stewards to share!
Need to update your contact info?
For questions or to get more involved, contact your Union Representatives Mohamed Bonah at 206-436-6514 and Dominic Ojeda at 206-436-6586.
Our Union will be holding an online New Member Meeting on May 17 at 4:30pm to inform members about the dues structure and timeline. This meeting will also give everyone an overview of our Union, your rights, and what’s going on with the parking and promotional giveaways grievance. If you have not yet done so, take a few minutes today to complete your Union application: join.ufcw.org/join/3000
If you cannot make it to the May 17 meeting, please call our Membership Services Representative Cassy Wolle at 360-662-1983 to learn more about your dues.
In response to the grievance meeting our union held with Mariners management in April, the Mariners responded stating that, “consistently throughout bargaining, the Mariners expressly rejected paying any retail employee parking expenses going forward.” They additionally stated that, “the Mariners had the management right to alter any parking practices and/or its Employee Handbook on this topic...[and] the Mariners had the management right to stop providing [promotional giveaways] without prior discussion or negotiation with the Union.”
The Mariners reiterated their misunderstanding of our grievance against their discrimination for Union activity by removing parking and promotional giveaway benefits. Also, the Mariners are contraindicating the understanding we had at the bargaining table that they will continue providing subsidized parking and promotional giveaway items in accordance with negotiations and their employee handbook.
Our Union is confident in our grievance and will continue this to the next step, arbitration. If you have any questions, reach out to our Union Rep Dominick Ojeda 206-436-6586.
What an amazing year for the for Kraken retail workers, first we won a union and are going to be fighting for our first contract, and now the Kraken are making a strong playoffs push!
Our Union is going to begin bargaining in June and we want to hit the ice with you all knowing what’s going on. Since it’s been a few weeks since our Union won recognition with the Kraken, here is an update about next steps. Our Union Bargaining Team, will meet together to finalize our first proposals before the first bargaining session with Management. As bargaining moves along in June and July, we will be sending regular updates about the bargaining progress and answering questions along the way.
This is our Union and your voice matters in how strong the first contract can be. If you have not yet completed the Union Bargaining Survey take a few minutes to fill out to tell our Bargaining Team what’s most important to you in a first contract – the things you want improved on and the things you want solidified.
Our Union is holding a Know Your Rights and Bargaining 101 session online on Tuesday, May 16 at 5pm. Where we will walk through the rights you already have as Union members and the typical contract bargaining process.
May 16, 2023 @ 5:00PM via Zoom Meeting
Our Union Bargaining Team met with Management last on March 23, more than an entire month ago. We tried to work with the Employer to get dates in April, but they were not quick to respond to our proposed dates until it was too late. Now that we finally have confirmed four bargaining sessions in the month of May with more scheduled in June.
Workers have been ramping up the pressure in the meantime by wearing our “Respect, Protect, Pay” buttons while at work. Wearing your button has shown both customers and Management that we deserve a fair union contract, and this is just the beginning!
Learn more about what you can do to win a fair contract by attending your Contract Action Team Meeting next week:
Alderwood: Wednesday, May 10 @ 3PM—4PM
Elemental Pizza, 3000 184th St SW #948, Lynnwood, WA
Southcenter: Tuesday May 9 @ 11AM – 2PM
Southcenter Mall Food Court, 2800 Southcenter Mall, Seattle, WA
Our Union Bargaining Team met with Management last on March 23, more than an entire month ago. We tried to work with the Employer to get dates in April, but they were not quick to respond to our proposed dates until it was too late. Now that we finally have confirmed four bargaining sessions in the month of May with more scheduled in June.
Workers have been ramping up the pressure in the meantime by wearing our “Respect, Protect, Pay” buttons while at work. Wearing your button has shown both customers and Management that we deserve a fair union contract, and this is just the beginning!
Learn more about what you can do to win a fair contract by attending your Contract Action Team Meeting next week:
Southcenter Gallery and Furniture Store
Monday, May 8 @ 10AM—11am
For Zoom meeting details, contact Union Rep Dominick Ojeda @ 206-436-6586
Mariners Retail Grievance Update
On Tuesday, April 25, we met with the Management and Human Resources team from the Mariners for our Step 2 grievance meeting. Mariners bargaining unit members sat in on the meeting to hear directly from Management as to why they took away subsidized parking and promotional benefits.
Our grievance states that the Employer removed subsidized parking and promotional benefits in violation of Article 4 Section 4.1 of the contract: removing such benefits in retaliation for Union activity and discriminating against union employees.
The Management team from the Mariners behaved in a way that was not conducive to coming to a resolution about the grievance meeting. Our Union reiterated that the Employer should restore subsidized parking, distribute promotional giveaways members lost out on, and reimburse members for costs incurred while the subsidized parking was taken away.
Per the contract, the Management team has 14 days to respond in writing to the Union’s grievance after the meeting. We hope the Mariners honor their commitment to their employees and reinstate the subsidized parking and promotional giveaways benefits as outlined in the Employee handbook.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Union Reps: Dominick Ojeda 206-436-6586 or Mohamed Bonah 206-436-6514. You can find a digital copy of our Mariners Team Store Contract online at ufcw3000.or/find-a-contract
Shortly after the ratification of our first union contract on March 18 we learned that the Mariners Club intended to take away long established subsidies for parking and promotional items for UFCW 3000 Members at the Mariners retail stores and kiosk. During contract bargaining our Bargaining Committee proposed that the Mariners Club provide free parking to all employees at the retail and kiosk locations when scheduled to work. Ultimately the committee withdrew the proposal with the understanding that the Mariners intended to maintain the subsidized parking and promotional items as outlined in the employee handbook. Unfortunately, we have heard Management may have made the unilateral decision to revise the employee handbook removing the subsidized parking and promotional items for retail and kiosk workers.
Our Union filed a grievance on April 5 against the Mariners for removing the subsidized parking and promotional items, alleging that Management is violating our Union contract article 4 section 4.1 by removing such benefits in retaliation for Union activity. On Tuesday April 25 we will be meeting with Management in a Step 2 grievance meeting in an attempt to resolve the issue. The contract allows for up to 5 Members to participate in the meeting. If you are interested in participating, please contact one of your union representatives.
In addition to filing a grievance alleging retaliation for union activity, our Union has filed a charge with the National Labor Relation Board on April 13 alleging Management bargained with our Union in bad faith and discriminated against UFCW 3000 Members for their union activity in violation of National Labor Relations Act.
The events that have occurred since ratifying our contract around subsidized parking and promotional items are regrettable and do not reflect the type of relationship we were hoping to have with Mariners’ Management. Mariners retail workers deserve to have the same benefits we have enjoyed in previous seasons and that we believe are still offered to other non UFCW 3000 Members. We hope that during the Step 2 meeting we will be able to find common ground with the Management and restore these benefits.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our Union Reps: Mohamed Bonah (206) 436-6514 or Dominick Ojeda (206) 436-6586.
Last week, our Bargaining Committee met together for the first time. The Committee discussed the upcoming contract negotiation with Bartell Drugs, now owned by Rite Aid. We reviewed the submitted Union Bargaining Survey results and discussed the top priorities outlined by Bartell workers including: winning better pay, increasing safety at our stores, keeping good affordable healthcare coverage, maintaining strong retirement, addressing scheduling issues and building more power in the drug store industry.
Bartell workers throughout the Puget Sound continue to show solidarity by taking photos together with messages about the issues that matter most to us and our stores. Talk to our Rep or Union Steward and share your message!
Don’t miss out on future updates from our Bargaining Committee, union benefits, action alerts, and contract vote information. Keep your personal contact information up-to-date! ufcw3000.org/update-your-information
Our Union Bargaining Committee will be meeting again in May to begin crafting bargaining proposals. If you have questions or to get more involved contact your Union Representatives Mohamed Bonah 206-436-6514 and Dominic Ojeda 206-436-6586.
Crossroads Trading Company CONTRACT RATIFIED!
We’re excited to announce that UFCW 3000 members at Crossroads Trading Company voted to ratify our first Union contract on April 5, 2023!
Our new Union contract includes many new benefits and protections such as:
$0.75/hr wage increase with a $350 ratification bonus, both effective later this month.
FREE ORCA PASSPORT! All bargaining unit employees will be provided with an Orca Business Passport at no cost to employees while covered under the bargaining unit. This exciting new benefit provides UNLIMITED public transit use throughout Puget Sound! Employees should receive this pass sometime in May.
Fair Discipline Process: Our contract includes some of the best Union discipline and discharge language, with (1) a clear and consistent discipline procedure, (2) automatic removal of discipline from employee’s files, and (3) a grievance and arbitration process that allows employees to challenge their discipline.
Workplace Safety: The employer must provide onsite security personnel to protect employees anytime an employee is onsite. They are also required to provide all employees with anti-bias and de-escalation training.
Schedule Posting: The Employer must post work schedules at least 14 days ahead of the start of the schedule.
Paid Holidays: Any employee working on New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Martin Luther King Jr Day, and Labor Day will be paid time and one-half (1-½) their regular rate of pay.
And much more!
You can find our new contract, learn about your rights as a Union member, sign-up for a training, and hear other exciting news at ufcw3000.org
Please reach out to our Rep Dominick Ojeda at 206-436-6586 with any questions.
After months of negotiations, our Bargaining Team is excited to announce that we’ve reached a tentative agreement on our first Union contract at Crossroads Trading Company!
The proposed two-year agreement includes:
• Wage increases at ratification with another guaranteed increase next year,
• Free ORCA transit cards that include unlimited public transit, even when not working!
• Fair and transparent discipline process with grievance rights,
• Work schedules must be posted at least 14 days before the start of the schedule,
• Separate vacation and sick leave banks,
• Strong workplace safety language,
• New labor and management committee to work through workplace issues on a regular basis,
• And much more!
All collective bargaining agreements and subsequent amendments (if applicable) must be voted on and ratified by bargaining unit employees. We encourage everyone to come on a break, lunch, or on their day off to participate in our first vote!
Please reach out to Union Rep Dominick Ojeda at (206) 436-6586 with any questions regarding the vote.
Liisa Luick shop steward and Bargaining Team member from Alderwood Macy’s!
Liisa Luick is a dedicated shop steward from Macy's at the Alderwood Mall where she has worked since 2008. She loves advocating for her coworkers and fellow union members, knows her contract, and makes sure that store management knows it too.
When Macy’s reopened after the COVID-19 lockdown ended, Liisa also stepped up to make sure that safety issues with the ongoing pandemic and short staffing coupled with the ever-increasing problem of unruly customers and organized retail theft were being addressed. She went on to be featured as a spokesperson for her coworkers in the local press and the New York Times to highlight these important safety issues.
Recently she helped organize leaflets at her store in support of members of UFCW Local 5 working at the San Francisco Macy's, who had been negotiating their contract for over 8 months! Liisa also flew to the Bay Area to join UFCW 5 members at the bargaining table in a show of solidarity at what would be the final negotiation session where Local 5 reached a tentative agreement.
Liisa brought her experience back to her coworkers and joined the bargaining committee for the Macy’s contract negotiations that have gotten underway. As a member of the committee, she knows that the Union’s power starts and ends with what members are willing to do to fight for a fair contract. Liisa and all the Macy’s stewards and leaders keep their coworkers organized and out at every action. Way to go Liisa!
Congratulations, Mariners retail workers! You have ratified your first contract and can expect new wages to go into effect on Friday, April 14.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Fill out your UFCW 3000 membership application if you haven’t done so already.
Scan or go to: https://join.ufcw.org/join/3000
YOUR WEINGARTEN RIGHTS
If you’re called into a meeting that you think could lead to discipline, STOP! Ask for union representation.
“I request a union representative during this meeting. If you accuse me or ask me questions I believe may lead to my discipline, I have a right not to answer those questions and will continue to ask for a union representative until you comply with my request.”
For questions or issues, please reach out to Union Rep Mohamed Bonah at 206-436-6514.
Our Union Bargaining Team: Azia Domingo, Curtesy Bryant, Emily Hunter, Liisa Luick, Nichole Hardin.
Our Union Bargaining Team began contract negotiations with Macy’s shortly after UFCW Local 5 settled their contentious negotiations with the Employer in San Francisco.
Our siblings in California fought hard for their contract after Macy’s played hardball until the Members went on strike during the holiday season. Alderwood Member Lissa Luick joined their table towards the end to show our solidarity and to take what she learned back home as a member of our own Bargaining Team.
Unfortunately, Macy’s has brought their negative attitude to the Puget Sound. Our first few days of negotiations have led to very little progress with the employer unwilling to meaningfully address any of our issues. Initial talks have focused on safety, but the employer has showed little interest in accepting even the very same language they agreed to add to the San Francisco contract!
To make matters worse, Macy’s has once again proposed to implement their terrible “Reliability” attendance plan that the Union has rejected during previous negotiations. Many of us have heard from staff at non-union stores that the ”Reliability” attendance program is terrible. Hard to understand, difficult to track, and far too much power given to Management. Our Bargaining Team has once again rejected the employer’s proposal, opting instead to propose our own improvements to the existing attendance credit system.
We are severely disappointed (but not surprised) by Macy’s behavior. Their unwillingness to work with our team before even getting to the more difficult conversations about wages is not promising. But if it’s a fight they want, it’s a fight we’ll give them!
Attend our upcoming Contract Action Team (CAT) meetings to learn more about negotiations and what you can do to help our Bargaining Team win a fair contract!
Our Union Bargaining Team has proposed changes to our contract that address the serious safety issues that we face in the workplace. In order to pressure Macy’s into meaningful change, we are collecting member stories that show the employer the unsafe reality that their workers face every day. Please share your story by following the link to our safety survey. >>
Shukri Hashi works at SeaTac Airport in Hudson News retail stores, has been a longtime shop steward, and served on the bargaining committee representing her coworkers during negotiations for their union contract. Shukri’s activism also extends outside her job and includes fighting for better protections for renters with the Stay Housed, Stay Healthy Coalition.
As protections for keeping people housed during the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic have been brought to an end, it has pushed many vulnerable families into crisis and some have become unhoused. Shukri has seen that when this happens it ripples outward and disrupts our communities and neighborhoods. She recently testified at a SeaTac City Council meeting calling on the city to pass protections for renters like capping late fees, strong just cause requirements for evictions, and having rental assistance programs that will help prevent another public health crisis while we continue to deal with the ongoing pandemic.
Shukri wants union members to know that together we can fight for healthy communities and justice on and off the job.
Mariners Retail Workers
Our Union Bargaining Team has reached a tentative agreement with Seattle Mariners Management that includes 9.25%—11.13% pay increase! Additional gains includes:
Increased pay for special events
Higher discounts on Merchandise
Nine holidays that include holiday-pay when worked
Progressive discipline language that keeps our jobs protected
Complimentary game tickets
Orca passes and more!
Retail staff have an in-person staff training on March 18 that is scheduled to end at 1pm. After the training, please come to the Ellis Room at T-Mobile Park between 1PM and 2PM to vote on our contract, (accessible from the Lobby at the Third Base Entry). Union Representatives will be available to walk us through our contract and answer any questions we have on the new contract language! If you have questions contact our Union Rep Mohamed Bonah at 206-436-6514.
We are the Union. The members of UFCW 3000 are over 50,000 members working in grocery, retail, health care, meat packing, cannabis, & other industries across Washington state, north-east Oregon, and northern Idaho. UFCW 3000 is a chartered member of UFCW International with over 1.4 million workers in North America.
To build a powerful Union that fights for economic, political and social justice in our workplaces and in our communities.
