Sea Wolf Bakers - Bargaining Update

On Tuesday, June 17 our bargaining team met with management for another joint session. After the last few sessions of discussion around economic proposals, they were able to provide us with their initial comprehensive economic proposal. The highlight of their proposal was a wage scale that would guarantee increases in pay based on months of service, with the seventh tier being the top of the scale after 60 months. We also had lengthy conversations about our tipping proposal and the concept of a surcharge, but have not yet come to agreement on these subjects.

In our counterproposal, which we passed at the end of the day, we addressed retirement, sick leave, paid time off, wages, scheduling, holidays, breaks, and other benefits.

We look forward to coming closer to an agreement next Tuesday, June 24 when we will receive another counterproposal from management, and another update will be forthcoming after that session!

Our Bargaining Team (Left to Right): Frankie Hull, Delivery Driver; Sophia Cerreta, Savory & Bread Departments; Miller Hammond, Barista; [Not pictured]: Haley Rydberg, Bread & Pastry Departments

Sea Wolf Bakers - Bargaining Update

Our bargaining team met with Sea Wolf management on June 3. Progress continued at a rapid clip as we reached Tentative Agreement on:

• Our Recognition clause firmly establishing our union as the sole and exclusive representative of the non-supervisory workers at Sea Wolf Bakers

• The employer's proposed Management Rights clause outlining their right to direct work and operations as long as it is within the parameters of the union contract

• The 90-day introductory period for new hires

• Successorship language, which details the process of the employer's responsibilities under the contract if Sea Wolf is sold to another owner

We also have come very close to agreed-upon language for a clear attendance policy, which will hold management to a defined process for treating us all equally. Last (but not least) we continued an open conversation with management about the structure of a potential wage scale and compensation overall.

Our next bargaining session will be June 10; after next week's session we will share details of another all-worker meeting to keep everyone updated and discuss next steps!

"We got a lot done and started an important discussion about compensation, though some of the conversations were more difficult than others."

— Miller

Bargaining Team: Frankie Hull, Delivery Driver; Sophia Cerreta, Savory & Bread Departments; Miller Hammond, Barista

Bartell Drugs & Rite Aid - Severance Pay & Store Closure Information

On May 5, our union, along with other UFCW locals across the country, received notice that Rite Aid is filing for bankruptcy again and plans to close all store locations in the coming months. They aim to sell all their stores by August 2025. As we learn more information, we will send communications out through email and through our website.

While we do not yet know the timeline, it is important for all our members at Rite Aid and Bartell Drug stores to know their rights under our current contract.

If you have any questions about the closures or if you’re considering retirement, please call your union representative, Aaron Bailey, at (206) 436-6631.

• Members have severance pay rights if their store is closed (see enclosed)

• Your pension is still available and will not be affected by Rite Aid’s closure. For any pension questions, please call our pension office, Sound Retirement Trust, directly at (206) 282-4500.

• For Bartell Drug members’ healthcare related questions, please call Sound Health and Wellness at (206) 282-4500.

• King County Labor Council also has an online union hiring hall to see other union job openings in our area at www.unionhiringhall.org

• If you have any questions about the closures or if you’re considering retirement, please call your union representative, Aaron Bailey, at (206) 436-6631.

Our contracts at Bartell Drugs and Rite Aid have strong language in Article 6.9 (2) around you receiving severance if you are laid off due to a store closure:

Years of Service Severance Amount Two (2) through four (4) years 1 week severance Five (5) through six (6) years 2 weeks severance Seven (7) through eight (8) years 3 weeks severance Nine (9) through ten (10) years 4 weeks severance Ten (10) years or more 5 weeks severance

Article 6.9 (3) — Severance pay will equate to the average hours paid in the fourteen (14) weeks, Sunday through Saturday, preceding separation, not to exceed forty (40) hours straight time pay.

Article 6.9 (4) — Workers who receive severance pay shall be paid accrued, unused personal holidays and accrued, unused vacation.

As union members at Rite Aid and Bartell, we have the right to be transferred to a union store in order of seniority. Work with your union rep and Rite Aid HR on relocating to a store nearby.

If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to your Union Reps, Aaron Bailey (206) 436-6631, or our Member Resource Center (866) 210-3000.

We have gotten reports that Bartell Drugs has told members to put in their two weeks’ notice if workers are leaving the company or moving to a non-union store—you will not receive severance pay if you put in your two weeks’ notice instead of being laid off! In order to receive the severance as outlined in our contract, you will need to be laid off by Bartell Drugs/Rite Aid.

Read your Contracts:

Bartell Drugs Contract

https://ufcw3000.org/find-your-contract/2015/2/4/bartell-drugs-contract

Rite Aid Contract

https://ufcw3000.org/find-your-contract/2015/2/25/rite-aid-contract

Resources:

The Unemployment Law Project: a free service that supports workers receiving their unemployment benefits at (206) 441-9178 or online:

unemploymentlawproject.org

UFCW Represented Work Locations: Stay protected through a union contract at our other represented locations—on our website find “Who We Represent”:

ufcw3000.org/shop-union

If you are laid off, you should qualify for unemployment benefits through the Washington State Employment Security Department if all have worked at least 680 hours within the last year. You can file a claim for benefits at 800-318-6022 or online:

esd.wa.gov/unemployment