Deep Roots - Deep Roots Sale

We received notice last week that Deep Roots has sold their studios to The Best Studio Ever effective August 5, 2024. We know that there are likely many emotions about the unknown and want to share that the Union has reached out to the new owners to have a conversation and determine next steps regarding the collective bargaining agreement and their plans after August 5. As soon as we have more information, we will send out communication to all members.

In the meantime, Deep Roots current management will continue to pay all employees for all wages, commissions, any overtime, and all accrued paid time off earned up to the sale date. If you have questions about any of the compensation listed, please connect with Deep Roots management and let us know if there is support needed. If you have made contributions to the Retirement IRA, you can access your account here.

Now is the time to get involved as a Union steward, helping to support coworkers and organize as needed. Please reach out to Union Representative Dominick Ojeda, (206) 436-6586, if you'd like to get involved, have questions, or if you have helpful information to share as we work through this transition together.

REI - Temperatures Are Rising And So Is The Employer’s Tone

Our negotiations with REI’s attorneys on June 24 and 25 reiterated how important our first contract will be. One of REI’s proposals included removing all past practices from our store, including REDI meetings and Let’s Talks. We know how important these meetings have been to our coworkers, and REI’s attorneys are out of touch with what helps our store run well.

Throughout negotiations these past two days, REI’s attorneys’ questioning about proposals became an opportunity to grandstand against the union, raising their voices and badgering our negotiating committee with hypothetical questions. This is not the tone we want to set with our management team in the Bellingham store, but it is the tone REI’s corporate wants to set with their workers.

After refusing to respond to three proposals and asking for our committee to bargain against itself, we reintroduced a few proposals that have been blanket rejected before. Progress was made on the Anti-Discrimination & Harassment article, and we came to a tentative agreement on the Safety Committee article. Bottom line—we will reach a first contract with REI and bring democracy back to the co-op for customers and our coworkers.

We know progress at the bargaining table is tough, so the way that we move REI is through collective action! Join our meeting on July 21 via Zoom to discuss our plan to put REI through a Summer of Stress until they agree to join the table in good faith.

If you have any questions, reach out to your union rep Dominick Ojeda at (360) 409-0595.

Our Bargaining Committee,
Left to Right: Sharon, Alex,
Not Pictured: Sue, Tini, Dan

Bartell Drugs contract ratified!

Bartell Drugs members unanimously voted to ratify their new contract yesterday! We’ll carry our momentum into our next negotiations with our fellow Rite Aid members in the fall and enforcing our contract every day at work. Physical and electronic copies of the signed agreement will be available soon. If you have any questions about the new contract, please reach out to union Rep Tae Abraham at 360-409-0603.

“Negotiations were often frustrating, but we’re doing everything we can to ensure a better future for our members. I’m proud of how we’ve supported each other through the bankruptcy and I’m hopeful for what’s to come.” – Dani Fisher, Service Associate & Bargaining Team Member

Soon after we started renegotiating our union contract, Rite Aid declared bankruptcy. While we navigated store closures and reduced hours, our bargaining team worked to reach a 1-year agreement for Bartell Drugs members that maintains our benefits, improves our grievance procedures, and includes raises for those that didn’t qualify for 2024 minimum wage increases. The short-term contract aligns our expiration date with our fellow UFCW 3000 Rite Aid members and lets us go back to the table together after the bankruptcy is settled to continue fighting for the better wages, benefits, and in-store safety we need.

Becoming a union steward is a great way to support your coworkers and enforce your rights on the job. Interested in going through the shop steward training? Reach out to your union Rep!

UFCW 3000 Member Days at the Park! Tickets on Sale NOW!

Each year we gather together with fellow UFCW 3000 members across the region for summer days at the park, an opportunity for some union-sponsored family fun and a great chance to meet and talk with other union members.

This year we're excited to add a new summer event for members, supporting our longtime community partner Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Game Day for Domestic Violence Prevention at T-Mobile Park!

Refuse to Abuse Game Day is Sunday, June 16, and for every ticket sold our longtime community partner the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV) receives an $18 donation and attendees get a free Mariners-themed Refuse to Abuse® Dri-fit T-shirt. Tickets are View Level for the Mariners vs. Texas Rangers game and cost $35. WSCADV has shown up for our members in many ways over the years and we look forward to this fundraiser and opportunity to share the belief that domestic violence is 100% preventable!

In addition, our other summer fun events have been popular each year and continue to be a great way to celebrate with family and union friends:

Sunday, June 16: Refuse to Abuse Mariners Game Day (Seattle, WA)
Mariners tickets on sale now through Friday, June 14 at 5pm >>
$35

​Tuesday, August 6: UFCW 3000 Day at Silverwood Theme Park (Athol, ID)
Tickets on sale now through July 19, while supplies last! >>
$40.00 adult/$25.00 youth or senior
Ticket includes:

• all day access to Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Water Park

• all you can eat buffet picnic-style lunch @ the banquet pavilion (starting at 12pm noon)

• unlimited drink refill wristband

Thursday, August 8: UFCW 3000 Day at Wild Waves Theme & Water Park (Federal Way, WA)
Tickets on sale now through July 19, while supplies last! >>
$20.00 adult/$15.00 youth or senior

Friday, September 13: UFCW 3000 Day at the Pendleton Round Up (Pendleton, OR)
Tickets on sale soon

Deep Roots First Contract!

Congratulations winning our first contract at Deep Roots!

After over a year of fighting, last night Deep Roots workers ratified their first contract and the first first contract in the piercing and tattoo industry in WA state! Our momentum should lead us to win even more in our next negotiations and enforce our contract every single day at work. Becoming a union steward is a great way to support your coworkers and enforce your rights on the job. Interested in going through the shop steward training? Reach out to your union rep Dominick Ojeda at 360-409-0595. 

Some physical copies of your contract should be out in the workplace already, but signed agreements will be available online and in person soon. Starting this upcoming Monday, May 13, many of the economic benefits in your contract should start. If you have any questions or see a discrepancy, reach out to your union rep immediately.  

We are all stronger when threaded together! 

"If there are others who feel as we do–that they are overlooked, disrespected, considered replaceable, and underpaid–we encourage them to contact a union. We are all stronger when threaded together!"

Sign the UFCW 3000 Membership Application here! >>

Bartell Drugs TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED!

Bargaining Team: Dani Fisher, Trevor Peterson (former), MaryGrace Diaz (former)

“Negotiations were often frustrating, but we’re doing everything we can to ensure a better future for our members. I’m proud of how we’ve supported each other through the bankruptcy and I’m hopeful for what’s to come.” —Dani Fisher, Service Associate & Bargaining Team Member

Soon after we started renegotiating our union contract, Rite Aid declared bankruptcy. While we navigated store closures and reduced hours, our bargaining team has worked to reach a 1-year agreement for Bartell Drugs members that maintains our benefits, improves our grievance procedures, and includes raises for those that didn’t qualify for 2024 minimum wage increases. The short-term contract aligns our expiration date with our fellow UFCW 3000 Rite Aid members and lets us go back to the table together after the bankruptcy is settled to continue fighting for the better wages, benefits, and in-store safety we need. Our Bartell Bargaining Team unanimously recommends a YES vote!

Secure online vote scheduled for May 20-21, 2024

Voting will be done via secure online balloting beginning Monday, May 20 at 6:00PM to Tuesday, May 21 at 6:00PM. You will need to have a you personal email address up to date with the union in order to get the email with your unique link to vote on the agreement. Make sure you update your contact information at: ufcw3000.org/update-your-information >>

Vote documents including the Highlights summary and full redline will be available for you to review. If you have questions or would like to talk more about the details of the agreement, please reach out to a Bargaining Team member or our Union Representative, Tae Abraham, at 360-409-0603.

Deep Roots - Did You Hear? Tentative Agreement Reached! Vote Scheduled!

After a year of bargaining, we have reached a fully recommended tentative agreement on our first union contract and will hold an in-person meeting the evening of Wednesday, May 8 to review a presentation of the recommended offer and vote. 

We organized our Union to address workplace safety and the reality that many of us struggle paycheck to paycheck to pay rent and other rising costs. This is historic—we are the first retail piercing and tattoo studios to unionize in Washington and possibly the first in the country! We are joining thousands of other workers with UFCW 3000 to set higher standards within our industry and ensure worker’s voices are centered in the future of Retail.

Our bargaining team is unanimously recommending a “YES” vote. 

• Highlights of the tentative agreement include:

• 6-Step Wage Scale with premium differentials for JGS certification and Co- Leads

• Guaranteed wage increases every year on anniversary of employment and January 1

• Commission on ALL Jewelry

• Tips and Employee Discounts

• Continued Healthcare benefit options with process to explore Dental coverage in 2025

• Recognition of Holidays Juneteenth, Labor Day, and Christmas Eve… with time and a half pay

• Paid Time Off

• Workplace Safety language

• Labor Management Committee

• Just Cause Protections and Grievance Procedure to protect from disparate treatment

• … and more!

CONTRACT VOTE SCHEDULED
Wednesday, May 8 at 8:00 PM

“Join us on May 8 to review the agreement with our team, ask questions, and learn about our new rights and benefits. We are excited to talk to everyone about how the contract will benefit us collectively and how we can build on it in the future!”

—Your Bargaining Team, Lexi Otway and Jude Manning 

Questions? Please contact your bargaining team or Union Representative Dominick Ojeda, 206-436-6586.

Downtown Dog Lounge Contract Ratified

A week before our one-year union election victory anniversary, Downtown Dog Lounge workers overwhelmingly voted in our first union contract!

Benefits include:

• One additional paid holiday

• Across the board wage increases

• A grievance process

• A Labor/Management Committee (LMC)

• that will meet quarterly to discuss issues at work

• $15 more toward employer healthcare coverage

Make sure you have completed your membership application! join.ufcw.org/join/3000

Franz Bakeries Strike Authorized

On Friday April 19, UFCW Local 3000 members working at Franz Bakery Outlets voted unanimously to reject the Employer’s offer and to authorize a strike. Our Union Negotiating Committee now heads into federal mediation next week with a clear mandate to demand more from Franz. It should now be evident to Management that their offer is insufficient, and they must increase it to align more closely with the wages of bakery clerks at neighboring Union grocery stores.

We will resume negotiations with the employer and a federal mediator on Tuesday, April 30. Further updates will follow.

Downtown Dog Lounge - Vote scheduled

After eight months of negotiations, our union Bargaining Team fully recommends a “YES” vote on our tentative agreement! Drop in to view the proposal and vote to have your voice heard.

South Lake Union
Friday, April 26 @ 2pm—5pm
1011 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98102

Ballard
Friday, April 26 @ 8am—12pm
824 NW 46th St, Seattle, 98107

Macy’s - Tukwila Minimum Wage Increase Grievance

Macy’s
Tukwila Minimum Wage Increase Grievance

Our union is filing a grievance against Macy’s for their failure to pay workers what they fought for and won earlier this year. Macy’s workers in Tukwila reported that they did not see their wages increase to what they should have above the city’s minimum wage. We gave Macy’s the chance to fix this problem on their own, but they refused. Our union will continue to enforce our contract through the grievance procedure.

If you have any questions, your pay has been fixed, or another economic piece of our new contract isn’t being followed, please reach out to Union Rep Tae Abraham @ 206-436-6631.

Downtown Dog Lounge Bargaining Update: Tentative Agreement Reached!

After 8 long months of bargaining with Downtown Dog Lounge, we have finally reached a tentative agreement fully recommend by our union worker bargaining team!

Bargaining began in September 2023 and your bargaining team has been working hard and focusing on our core issues: safety for dogs and humans, a livable wage, and regular maintenance to the facilities. While it has been a fight, DDL workers have remained strong knowing that winning this first contract is the first step in changing standards in the animal care industry.

This tentative agreement includes:

• Additional holiday with pay

• Grievance procedure

• Just cause language

• And much more…

Details will be sent out soon on voting times and locations. If you have any questions, contact your bargaining team or Union Representative.

The union bargaining team fully recommends a YES vote!

Bargaining team includes: Maribeth Fletcher, Ayla Gersdorf-Duncan, Judy Coy, and Elsie Hedberg.

Card Kingdom - Defend our contract

Card Kingdom
Defend our contract

After workers came together to discuss a broken PTO system, we came to an agreement with Card Kingdom that benefited both the Employer and union members. There has not been the same movement on our grievance against the Employer’s current practice of giving only one raise a year. We’ve provided numerous opportunities for Card Kingdom to fulfill the raises they agreed to during negotiations, but unfortunately, they have decided to maintain their position contrary to the contract.

Contracts that have two raises a year are standard in many of the industries our union represents. Workers on these scales earn a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and receive a raise on their anniversary date until they reach the top of the scale. This is the wage scale we fought for and gained at the table. Our contract must be followed as negotiated.

During the Union’s most recent conversation with the Employer’s legal counsel, they denied any wrongdoing, falsely accused the union of deception, and indicated they had no interest in a reasonable settlement short of an arbitrator’s order.

We cannot rely on arbitration to be the only mechanism to ensure our contract is followed. Becoming a shop steward is a great way to help build union power and as we head towards arbitration, we will be holding regular union meetings to discuss how to help enforce our union contract.

Kraken (Retail) - Tentative Agreement Reached

Kraken (Retail)
Tentative Agreement Reached
Our Bargaining Team recommends a “YES” Vote!

After months of bargaining, our Bargaining Team has reached a new tentative settlement agreement with BDA. The outstanding result of the final agreement reflects everyone’s hard work and commitment. Our union is driven by members coming together to fight for better working conditions and here are some of the things in our tentative agreement:

• *NEW* Ratification Bonus of $125

• Retroactive pay for workers making under $21/hr and for Keyholder premiums starting September 25, 2023

• Increased base wage for all workers and guaranteed retention bonus

• ORCA and parking benefits

• Workplace protections including just cause for disciplines

• Meals provided at every game

• Improvement on merch options for members

• Increased tuition assistance

• And more!

Members will be able to review the full collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and cast a vote on whether to approve it at our vote meeting.

Vote Details

Workers may only vote during the designated vote window and must attend in person. Complete a union application, review the agreement, ask questions, and cast your ballot!

Tuesday, April 9 @ 3pm—5pm
Climate Pledge Arena - Kraken Team Store, 334 1st Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Questions? Contact Union Rep Dominick Ojeda @ 206-436-6586.