Hudson Dufry Minimum wage increases mean our wages increases

Our Union was recently informed that many members were being underpaid per our union contract. Our contract stipulates that union Hudson News workers will be paid above minimum wage. In January, the minimum wage in SeaTac went up, so our minimum wage escalator scale in our contract for 2024 is:  

0-1 Years at Hudson: $19.87/hour
2-3 Years at Hudson: $19.97/hour 
4+ Years at Hudson: $20.40/hour 

On April 1, 2024, workers with 4+ years will be moved to $21.40/hour. Our union met with the Employer to discuss workers’ issues with being paid under the contract minimum, and we received an agreement that Hudson will correct the mistake, with back-pay, by the end of February. If you work at the Hudson Warehouse, your wage rates have not been affected by minimum wage and will not change until our negotiations in 2025.  

Our contract had an error regarding workers’ sick time carryover from year to year. Workers should receive 80 hours of sick time carryover, not 40 hours. We are working on resolving that issue with the Employer. 

If you have questions about sick time carryover or if you are you being paid less than what the contract requires, Call union representative Dominick Ojeda at 206-436-6586 with any questions. 

Make sure to review the contract regularly, enforcing our contract is an important aspect of union activity, and so that you know the other benefits our union contract guarantees ▸ 

Card Kingdom Forced PTO Memorandum of Understanding Vote

Card Kingdom

FORCED PTO MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING VOTE

Our union filed a grievance regarding disciplines that Card Kingdom issued after workers were forced to use PTO for missed time. Our Labor Management Committee has come to a fully recommended tentative agreement with Card Kingdom to amend the make-up time language.

This better aligns with the previous practice and addresses the issues our union originally filed the grievance about.

These changes should help workers retain more PTO to use when desired and help workers have greater peace of mind about their commute to and from work.

Our Labor Management Committee recommends a YES vote on the MOU.
All members in good standing are encouraged to vote.

Join your coworkers and vote on the new agreement!
Friday, February 16 @ 11am — 5pm
Card Kingdom 5105 Leary Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

If you have any questions, please call
Dominick Ojeda @ 206-436-6586

Deep Roots Stay Threaded Together

“The most powerful part of negotiations was sharing our experiences as retail workers- and the reality that many of us are living paycheck to paycheck and depend on our commission rates to help pay the rent and supplement our income. Our stories are what thread us together- and what will help us to fight at the table for the improvements we need to stay in the industry we love. Why do you love working in the piercing industry? How would having a higher wage and greater opportunities for commission change your life? Please share with us, and continue to wear your stickers at work!” — Our Union Bargaining Team, Cy Manning and Lexi Otway

On Monday we received our first economic proposal from Deep Roots which included a wage scale and the current practices around commission, Co-Lead pay, tips, and gratuity.

They also proposed new Holidays where employees would receive time and one half for working and paid days off on Christmas and Thanksgiving. Other big discussion topics of the day included industry standards, workplace safety, commuter stipends, and employee discounts.

We have waited a long time to have these important discussions around pay, time off, and benefits. Our team spent most of the day evaluating their proposals and thinking through strategies to reach an agreement that addresses our priorities. We return to the bargaining table on February 13 and 23.

Please reach out to our Union Rep Dominick Ojeda at 206-436-6586, if you have questions or need support.

Macy’s Workers Ratify Historic Contract

Our Agreement Contains Hard Fought Wins After Historic 9-Day ULP Strike and Consumer Boycott Campaign that followed a historic 3 day ULP strike over Black Friday Weekend.  

Macy’s worker sent a strong message: We are united and fighting for better jobs for all retail workers 

The Newly ratified agreement with Macy’s ends our second ULP strike and consumer boycott campaign. Together, we won the largest ratification bonus in the nation for Macy’s workers. This agreement sets a new gold standard for retail workers across the country, both in the fight and in the outcome. 

Azia Domingo who has worked at Macy’s Southcenter Mall store for 21 years said:  “We’re on our feet for 8, 10, sometimes 12 hours a day making the store and our products shine and helping our customers. Pay is low, and understaffing has left us at higher risk when confronted with health and safety threats. Our union member workers told Macy’s, enough is enough. We were prepared to strike and support a consumer boycott as long as it took to get Macy’s to address our serious concerns. This tentative agreement shows Macy’s management is ready to recognize that we are essential to making Macy’s a profitable business.” 

The agreement approved today by a vote of Macy’s UFCW 3000 members, will provide workers covered by the contract with: 

• The largest ratification bonus in the country, 20% higher than before the strike. 

• Increased safety protections, including the right for workers to bring up safety issues without fear of retaliation, one of the key unfair labor practices that caused workers to strike.  

• A new and improved wage scale for new hires. Increases in minimum wage escalators to .35 for workers after one year and .50 for workers after two years. 

• Protection of a prized worker benefit, Martin Luther King Jr Day flex paid time off for current employees, that Macy’s had threatened to take away. 

Union Reps and Stewards will have copies of the “red-lined” contract in stores and new contract booklets as soon as possible. 

This strike has reset the balance of power between workers and Macy’s. Let’s keep the pressure on by enforcing our contract, getting involved in our safety committees, joining steward trainings, and getting our coworkers and community ready for the next fight! 

UFCW 3000 Podcast Episode 11: Our Union and Politics

How and why does a union engage with politics? What's the "people power" we talk about in "people-powered politics"? Michaela talks with UFCW 3000 political organizer Derrick about the power of union members taking an active role in local and state elections and in politics beyond elections. Washington State legislature is now in session, and while this was recorded before the recent elections, it's also about all the work that UFCW 3000 members will now be doing to hold those elected lawmakers accountable! They discuss the potential corporate grocery mega-merger that our local is fighting against, and at the end of the episode you'll hear from longtime grocery worker and UFCW 3000 member Naomi speaking out at a press conference about that merger. Learn more about our political advocacy work, our 2024 legislative agenda, how to register to vote, and more at our website: https://ufcw3000.org/people-powered-politics Our Winter General Membership Meetings, also discussed here, are also coming up! Find your local quarterly meeting at: https://ufcw3000.org/gmmcall

UFCW 3000 union shop steward Michaela is always ready to answer fellow members’ questions about their union. She’s also a devoted murder podcast listener. Put those interests together, and she decided to start a union podcast to get all her coworkers’ questions and her own questions answered, and to meet as many people as possible who could share what it means to be a part of UFCW 3000. (No murder on this podcast, only solidarity!)

*The information shared on this podcast is offered by rank and file union member leaders of UFCW 3000. There may be inaccuracies or misstatements shared, as members will be speaking from the lenses of their perspectives and life experiences. While members are doing their best to share good information, we can make no claims to 100% accuracy and this podcast should not be construed as legal advice.

Downtown Dog Lounge Another week another tough negotiation session

Our Downtown Dog Lounge Bargaining Team met with Elise, Kelly and their lawyer again this Wednesday and had another long session. Progress was made on multiple important issues, such as workplace safety and standards for employee rest areas. However, DDL is still holding out on their unreasonable proposals on union’s staff ability to support workers onsite and be present in the worksites.

More negotiation sessions to come in February! As always the best information on negotiations is from your coworker at the table. Talk to a Team member today if you have any questions.

Macy's Contract Votes Scheduled! Bargaining team recommends a YES vote

After not one but two powerful strikes in the middle of winter, our union bargaining team has reached a fully recommended tentative agreement with Macy’s that goes a long way toward respecting our work and protecting our wages and benefits. While we didn’t win everything we wanted, we were able to achieve the best Macy’s contract in the nation, with agreement on items that were at the top of our priorities list, including: 

• The largest ratification bonus in the country, 20% higher than where Macy’s offer was pre-strike 

• Protection of the MLK Day paid holiday for all current employees that Macy’s had threatened to take away with no replacement 

• Increased safety protections, including the right for workers to bring up safety issues or call for help without fear of discipline or retaliation 

• Not just protecting but increasing our wage escalators that guarantee wages stay above minimum wage even as it rises to keep up with inflation 

This was a long fight for all of us, and your bargaining team is excited to review the full offer with all members at our vote meetings. The most important thing you can do now is show up to a vote meeting near you so you can get all your questions answered and cast your vote on the contract!

Contract Votes: Monday, January 29, 8AM—11AM & 3PM—6PM

ALDERWOOD: Residence Inn by Marriott Seattle North/Lynnwood Everett, 18200 Alderwood Mall Pkwy, Lynnwood, WA 98037 (Olympic Room) 
SOUTHCENTER: Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel, 16500 Southcenter Pkwy, Seattle, WA 98188 (Summit Ballroom) 
BELLINGHAM: Four Points by Sheraton, Mt. Baker Room 714 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, WA 98229 
UFCW 3000 members in good standing are encouraged to attend a meeting, ask questions, and vote on the contract. Contact a Bargaining Team member or your Union Representative for any questions! 
OUR BARGAINING TEAM UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A YES VOTE!

National Press Conference on Opposition to Kroger and Albertsons’ Proposed Mega-Merger

For Immediate Release – Wednesday January 24th, 2024

PRESS ADVISORY for Friday, January 26th, 2024 (9AM PST, 12 noon EST)

Virtual Press Conference. Register HERE in advance

Grocery Store Workers and their UFCW Local Unions Hold National Press Conference on Ongoing Efforts to Oppose Kroger and Albertsons’ Proposed Mega-Merger

What: A national press conference to update media and expose many of the troubling details underlying the proposed merger as well as debunking the claims being made by the companies about themselves, the reasons for the proposed merger in the 1st place, the troubling picture of C&S as the proposed divestiture company, and more. Short informational session will be followed by a Q and A session for the media.

Who: 

• Faye Guenther, President, UFCW 3000 (WA)

• Tom Olson, Grocery store worker and UFCW 7 member (CO)

• John Marshall, CFA, Capital Strategies Director, UFCW 324 (CA) and UFCW 3000 (WA)

Upon request, post event interviews can be arranged for media with local grocery store workers in Washington State. And interviews with grocery store members at UFCW locals in CA, WA, CO and the Washington DC/surrounding states areas can also be arranged.

When: Friday January 26, 2024: 9 AM PST, 12 Noon EST

Where: Pre-register here in advance of the press conference HERE >>

Contact: Tom Geiger, UFCW 3000, 206-604-3421

Macy's Update: Strike Ends, Fully Recommended Tentative Agreement Reached!

Union Siblings,

Your Union Bargaining Team is happy to announce that our STRIKE AGAINST MACY’S IS OVER!

We have reached a Tentative Agreement with Macy’s management for a BEST IN THE NATION union contract, addressing members’ top issues and protecting our rights. The Bargaining Team unanimously recommends a yes vote to ratify this historic contract.

We won a deal like this because UFCW 3000 members took bold action by going on strike! First we struck over the busy Black Friday weekend, forcing Macy’s to slash their holiday shopping hours at the peak of the season and calling attention to the way our work is essential to the company’s success. When that wasn’t enough, union workers at the Alderwood location took further action and went out on strike for the past 9 days in freezing winter weather, vowing to strike for as long as it takes and publicly calling for a Macy’s boycott.

We are ending the strike at Alderwood effective immediately and informing Macy’s of our unconditional offer to return to work beginning Thursday, January 25.

Details will come shortly regarding the ratification votes for the fully recommended agreement. We are working to get the vote documents ready for your review as quickly as possible and members will have the opportunity to review the agreement and get any questions answered before voting.

For Alderwood strikers and those respecting the line: 

• Work with your manager to get back on the schedule. Reach out to your union stewards, Rep, or UFCW 3000 Member Resource Center (1-866-210-3000) if you experience any issues.

• UFCW 3000 staff will still be onsite at Alderwood Macy’s this Friday, January 26, distributing strike benefits to eligible members who have been on strike.

We also want to thank the 20,000+ customers and hundreds if not thousands of union allies and community supporters who stood in solidarity with us, vowing not to cross our picket lines, showing up to march alongside us, and providing a clear message to Macy’s management that our customers and our community value our work. The dignity and respect we get from a fair union contract is hard-won, and we look forward to getting back to what we do best: serving our loyal customers and making Macy’s a great place to shop.

Macy's Strike Update: Workers Continue ULP Strike as Boycott Gains Strength

Macy’s workers, community partners and customers have been joining our picket lines. We plan to maintain our strike and expand our boycott until we win a fair contract. We continue to prepare the Bellingham and Southcenter Mall stores to join the strike, so sign up for your strike shift and keep warm clothes and waterproof shoes in your car.

The Mediator for FMCS has circulated potential bargaining dates for Macy’s and our union to get back to the bargaining table. No date is set at this moment. We remain willing to bargain with Macy’s at any time.

As a reminder, Macy’s most recent “Last Best and Final” offer just isn’t enough: 

• The elimination of our personal day in honor of MLK day, reducing our amount of paid time off and disrespecting an important holiday. (Which they left off their last update, and store managers indicated that MLK was not being taken away. This dishonesty about their own proposal is likely a violation of labor law.)

• Eliminating our hard-won wage scale—and without any guarantee that experienced workers will maintain wages above the applicable minimum wage.

• A rejection of our proposed safety language that would protect workers from discipline if we call mall security or the police in response to a violent situation.

• Just $0.50 per year in General Wage Increases (GWI) to current workers, with lower ratification bonuses than previously offered of $300 for part-time workers and $600 for full-time workers.

• Check out management’s Last Best and Final offer here >>

Macy’s can afford to do better. This offer was made by a company that has recorded more than a billion-dollar annual profit margin, a company made profitable off the work of the people now walking the strike line.

Our rank-and-file worker-led Executive Board approved more comprehensive strike benefits of:

• $500/week for striking members who work 20 hours on the strike line.

• $800/week for striking members who work 32+ hours on the strike line.

• $200/week Respect the Line Benefit for striking members who cannot join their coworkers on the strike line but respect the strike line and do not cross (for a maximum of 4 weeks). 

To receive your strike benefit, sign in and out of your shift on the strike line, or if you are respecting the line, email Strike@UFCW3000.org to notify our union that you will be respecting the line but not walking the line. All members receiving any type of Strike Benefit must have a completed W-9 on file.

• If you haven’t already done so, please sign a W9 here >>

• Check out the Strike FAQ for some basic information >>

• Please share the pledge to boycott with your friends and family >>

See you on the strike line soon, stay warm!

Macy's Workers Continue Strike and Launch Boycott

Despite the cold and rain, Macy’s workers, community partners and customers have been joining our picket lines. More than 20,000 customers have pledged to shop elsewhere while workers are on strike at Macy’s. The strike and boycott will continue to expand until we win a fair contract. 
If you are in the Bellingham or Southcenter Mall locations, sign up for your strike shift and keep warm clothes and water proof shoes in your car as we continue to prepare for your stores to join the strike. 

We have informed Macy’s we are ready and willing to bargain at any time.

As a reminder, Macy’s most recent Last Best and Final offer just isn’t enough: 

• The elimination of our personal day in honor of MLK day, reducing our amount of paid time off and disrespecting an important holiday. (Which they left off their last update and store managers indicated that MLK was not being taken away. We are filing a new Unfair Labor Practice). 

• Eliminating our hard-won wage scale—and eliminating the guarantee that experienced workers will be paid a certain amount above the minimum wage.

• A rejection of our proposed safety language that would protect workers from discipline if we call mall security or the police in response to a violent situation. 

• Just $0.50 per year in General Wage Increases (GWI) to current workers, with low ratification bonuses of $300 for part-time workers and $600 for full-time workers. 

• Check out management’s Last Best and Final offer here >>

This insulting offer was made by a company that has recorded more than a billion-dollar annual profit margin. 

We must continue to prepare to go on strike at the other Macy’s locations, Bellis Fair Mall, Southcenter Mall and the Alderwood and Tukwila Furniture Galleries. Workers could strike any day at any of these locations, joining workers at Alderwood ON STRIKE!
 
In anticipation of a longer strike, our rank-and-file worker-led Executive Board approved more comprehensive strike benefits of:

• $500/week for striking members who work 20 hours on the strike line.

• $800/week for striking members who work 32+ hours on the strike.

• $200/week Respect the Line Benefit for striking members who cannot join their coworkers on the strike line but respect the strike line and do not cross (for a maximum of 4 weeks). 

To receive your strike benefit, sign in and out of your shift on the strike line, or if you are respecting the line, please email Strike@UFCW3000.org to notify our union that you will be respecting the line but not walking the line. All members receiving any type of Strike Benefit must have a completed W9 on file. If you haven’t already done so, please sign a W9 here >>

---

BALLOONS AND BBQ!

Join your coworkers on the Strike Line this Saturday, January 20, 2024 to pass out balloons to customers. There will be BBQ sliders and sides for lunch around 1:30pm.

Check out the Strike FAQ for some basic information >>
 
Please share the pledge to boycott with your friends and family >>

 See you on the strike line soon, stay warm!

Deep Roots Stay Threaded Together!

Today we came prepared to negotiate all day but shortened our session due to health reasons of the Deep Roots bargaining team. Nevertheless, we made meaningful progress on bereavement, inclement weather, and seniority! We won the inclusion of close friends, people residing with the employee, and pets in bereavement leave, and are continuing to push for more paid time. We also are proud to have reached a tentative agreement today on our Grievance Procedure which will allow us to have a process to challenge unfair discipline, pay discrepancies, and other violations of our Union contract.

Our team has reached tentative agreements on many articles of our first Union contract:

• Definition of who is included in our Union and protections in the event that Deep Roots were to sell in the future

• Recognition of Union stewards at each studio, access for our Union Rep to visit us at work, and Union bulletin boards to share information with each other

• Protections against discrimination, recognition of our gender identities, fair process for job postings and awarding new positions, standards of practice for covering shifts at other studios

• Just Cause! This is the heart of a Union contract. This protects us from unequal treatment and misapplication of company policies and discipline.

• Rights to leaves of absence under state and federal law, Union leave up to 3 days per year for Union stewards, leave for occupational injury up to 12 months

• Grievance Procedure with 30 day timeline to file grievances

We return to the bargaining table on January 29 to push towards the finish line! We expect at our next session a full economic response from Deep Roots that will include wages, commission, holidays, vacation, sick leave, healthcare, and retirement.

As we organize together, remember that we currently have the right to Union Representation if we are called into a meeting with HQ or management that could result in discipline. This is called our Weingarten right. We also have the right to wear our stickers at work- it is an unfair labor practice for Deep Roots to ask us to remove them if we are allowed to wear other buttons and stickers. Please reach out to our Union Rep Dominick Ojeda, 206-436-6586, if you have questions or need to request that he join you at a meeting.

“We are so close- let’s stay Threaded Together and show our solidarity! Please wear your stickers every day and share with your clients, friends, and other supporters of Deep Roots workers.”- Our Union Bargaining Team, Cy Manning & Lexi Otway

Macy's Workers Launch ULP Strike on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Early yesterday morning, Macy’s workers at the Alderwood Mall location began an Unfair Labor Practice strike. Despite frigid temperatures, we took to the picket lines this MLK Day to stand up for ourselves, our colleagues, our families and our customers in the face of management’s blatant disrespect.
 
As you know, we have been in negotiations with Macy’s for close to a year now. Instead of coming to the bargaining table with thoughtful proposals that honor our contribution to this company’s success, Macy’s continues to undermine the process by repeatedly committing unfair labor practices, including bargaining in bad faith, changing working conditions unilaterally, and engaging in direct dealing while misleading workers about the most recent contract offer.
 
As of right now we plan to stay off the job indefinitely, picketing every day during Macy’snormalbusiness hours. We hope Macy’s will come back to the bargaining table to begin working on an agreement that isn’t riddled with takeaways and concessions. Macy’s workers deserve an agreement that protects us when we are at work, respects our time with the company and is something we can be proud of.

Macy’s most recent Last Best and Final offer just isn’t enough, offering:

• The elimination of our personal day in honor of MLK day, reducing our amount of paid time off and disrespecting an important holiday.

• Eliminating our hard-won wage scale—and without any guarantee that experienced workers will be paid above what new hires receive.

• A rejection of our proposed safety language that would protect workers from discipline if we call mall security or the police in response to a violent situation.

• Just $0.50 per year in General Wage Increases (GWI) to current workers, with low ratification bonuses of $300 for part-time workers and $600 for full-time workers.

• Check out management’s Last Best and Final offer here >>

This insulting offer was made by a company that has recorded more than a billion-dollar annual profit margin. A company made profitable off the work of the people now walking the strike line.

We must continue to be prepared to go on strike at the other Macy’s locations, Bellis Fair Mall, Southcenter Mall and the Alderwood and Tukwila Furniture Galleries. Workers could strike any day at any of these locations, joining workers at Alderwood ON STRIKE!
 
In anticipation of a longer strike, our rank-and-file worker-led Executive Board approved more comprehensive strike benefits of:

• $500/week for striking members who work 20 hours on the strike line.

• $800/week for striking members who work 32+ hours on the strike.

• $200/week Respect the Line Benefit for striking members who cannot join their coworkers on the strike line but respect the strike line and do not cross (for a maximum of 4 weeks).

To receive your strike benefit, sign in and out of your shift on the strike line, or if you are respecting the line, please email strike@UFCW3000.org to notify our union that you will be respecting the line but not walking the line.  All members receiving any type of Strike Benefit must have a completed W9 on file. If you haven’t already done so, please sign a W9 here >>

Join our next All Macy’s Member Call this Wednesday, January 17 at 5pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88212637000 to discuss the strike and next steps.

Check out the Strike FAQ for some basic information >>

See you on the strike line soon, stay warm!

Macys: Important Update Meeting Tonight!

Our member led Bargaining Committee had another tough session with the Employer. We want to update all members about this status and discuss next steps. We will be holding a zoom meeting Tonight: Sunday, January 14 at 7pm!

Tonight at 7pm join us by using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87833799645

Important action: How do YOU feel about Macy’s management trying to take away MLK Day as a holiday?

Record a short video telling us how you feel! It's fast and easy and will help us send a message to Macy's Management >>

Macy's races to the bottom with takeaways and federal labor law violations

After 2 days of “so called” bargaining with Macy’s on January 4 and 9, Macy’s Management violated federal labor law yet again. It has become clear that Macy’s has no problem blatantly violating workers’ rights.

Macy’s once again refused to bargain in good faith over proposals to keep our co-workers and customers safe. This reckless disregard for basic respect and dignity at work is apparently the new Macy’s Management Plan. Macy’s entered these negotiations attempting to take away many secured benefits such as the attendance point system, MLK day, a guarantee above minimum wage, and a wage scale to address wage compression. In a chase to fix bad management, Macy’s seeks to gut its workers' wages, benefits, and safety to save a few dollars.

Yesterday, Macy’s sent another Last Best and Final offer after regressively bargaining between January 4 and January 9. Regressive bargaining is an illegal bargaining tactic when an Employer offers workers a worse proposal than what was previously on the table. We believe this is somewhere between the 3rd and 5th Last Best and Final offer from the employer, but who is counting?

In this Last Best and Final offer, the employer went backwards and put an offer on the table that is WORSE than what workers already rejected on October 7, 2023.

This newest version of the Last Best and Final includes:

• A lower ratification bonus than the previously offered $1000 ratification bonus, now only a $300 ratification bonus for part time workers and $600 for full time workers.

• Only $.50 per year General Wage Increases for the thereafter rate.

• Eliminating our guarantee of $0.20 above minimum wage for all workers and only offering modest protection to keep our wages above minimum wages going forward and only for New Hires

• A proposal which would result in an immediate pay cut for almost every Macy’s worker at South Center

• Eliminating our wage scales all together

• Eliminating MLK day

• Rejecting our proposal to call Security or the Police when confronted with violence or an emergency at work.

It looks like to us Macy’s believes that their own workers are only worth minimum wage (although would likely pay less if legally possible), do not deserve basic safety protections, do not deserve a meaningful wage scale, and should take major cuts with the elimination of our wage scale, MLK day, and lowering a guaranteed above minim wage starting rate.

Our bargaining Committee is meeting Friday, January 12, 2024, to discuss next steps and what our response to the employer should be. 

Help continue to prepare for a ULP strike and keep the pressure on Macy’s by signing up for your strike schedule, get picket captain trained and make sure you and your coworkers have completed a W9 form to receive strike pay.

Macy's - No Deal—New Date Scheduled

Late into the night on Thursday, January 4, our Union Bargaining Team met with Macy's at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service's (FMCS) office in downtown Seattle.

We were unable to reach an agreement with management on a new contract, but talks were very productive. The employer finally engaged in serious negotiations, with ideas being exchanged between the parties about what an agreement may look like—marking a departure from their behavior in recent months.

Unfortunately, negotiations hit a pause when key employer stakeholders became unavailable, prompting the parties to end for the day. To keep the momentum toward an agreement going, we have scheduled another bargaining date for next Tuesday, January 9, to continue talks with the employer.

While these developments are encouraging, it's important to understand that there is no guarantee of reaching an agreement next week. A strike may still be necessary to achieve a fair agreement, and we must be prepared for that possibility.

The upcoming Tuesday meeting will determine our next steps: either reaching an agreement and scheduling a ratification vote or, failing to do so, start signing-up for strike schedules.

We will keep everyone informed as this situation unfolds and as bargaining progresses.

Macy's - STRIKE AUTHORIZED (AGAIN)

BARGAINING TEAM: Azia Domingo, Curtisy Bryant, Emily Hunter, Liisa Luick, Nicole Hardin.

On December 21, Macy’s workers spoke loud and clear as we voted over 99% to authorize another strike, which is a stronger authorization than our first vote!! Our vote sends a strong message to Macy’s – we are not afraid to show our collective power again!

This happened after our Union Bargaining Team met with management on Monday December 18 and they showed very little movement on the key issues that we’re fighting for. Specifically, parties are still far apart on wages, the employer is still proposing to take away our wage scales and our MLK Day personal day.

However, that is not to say that no progress was made. While the employer only officially made movement on one of our safety proposals, we did have very productive conversations about where the possible deal could be. But until we have formal proposals that address our concerns, we still must be prepared to continue our fight.

As the parties continue to work on an agreement at our January 4 bargaining session, our vote showed Macy’s that we are ready to go out on strike again if they don’t come to terms with our value as workers. The significance of yesterday’s vote cannot be overstated, and the increased authorization strength from our previous vote empowers our Bargaining Team and instills a sense of urgency in Macy's to hopefully reach a resolution soon.

Card Kingdom - Defending our contract

Card Kingdom
Defending our contract

Our Labor Management Committee: Hans B. (Production), Rune S. (Shipping), Alex F. (Production)

Members on our Labor Management Committee (LMC) has been working hard to finalize the language a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Card Kingdom regarding forced use of PTO and our grievance department is continuing to fight through our wage grievance.

Here is an update on both:

PTO

We met with Card Kingdom Management again on December 13 to continue negotiations regarding forced use of PTO and how it relates to the unsatisfactory attendance section of your contract. LMC members proposed language that would protect our contractual rights and make sure no one is disciplined for missed time covered by PTO or make-up time.

Our LMC and Card Kingdom are not far apart on this agreement and we hope to have a MOU to vote on in the beginning of 2024.

WAGES

We have made clear that the Employer has a gross misinterpretation of Article 21 Wages. We have filed a grievance and after two grievance meetings, we are still in disagreement with the Employer. We will now be moving to arbitration to settle this grievance. If you believe you’re having any issues with your wages, please reach out to your Union Rep Dominick Ojeda @ 206-436-6586.

Crossroads Trading Co. - Vote Scheduled

Crossroads Trading Co.
Vote Scheduled

Last year, workers at Crossroads Trading Co. voted to ratify their first contract including job security, wage increases, safety language, and more. Now, workers have an opportunity to solidify their wage increases earlier and set a precedent for future negotiations.

Our wage scale was tied to Seattle minimum wage increases, and the contract wages increase was set to take effect the April following the minimum wage increase to ensure contract wages are not consumed by the minimum wage increase. Because of this memorandum of understanding (MOU), workers can vote on receiving the same wage increase in January instead of April.

This means many workers will receive about a $1.00 increase three months earlier.

Join the upcoming meeting

Tuesday, December 19 @ 9am
Ask questions about the wage increase and discuss other issues at work, like scheduling. Contact Union Rep Dominick Ojeda for Zoom meeting details. Details will also be sent to your email.

Online vote

Friday, December 22 @ 1pm-4pm
In order to vote and get your unique identifier sent to your email from SimplyVoting, make sure your information is updated at: ufcw3000.org/update-your-information