New Seasons Workers Welcome

UFCW 21 is welcoming some of our newest members—grocery workers displaced by the December closure of New Seasons Market’s Ballard store.

New Seasons announced in December that it would close the Ballard store and leave the Seattle market, where it had previously committed to open two to three stores per year. The good news is many New Seasons workers are moving over to union stores, including Metropolitan Market and PCC. In fact, the company’s Mercer Island store will transition to Metropolitan Market in the spring. Later this year, PCC will open at the Central District location that New Seasons leased and furnished but never opened.

New Seasons is a Portland-based natural foods grocery chain with a record of anti-union activity. Naturally, UFCW 21 members were concerned when the company announced an ambitious Puget Sound expansion in 2015.

Our concerns intensified when New Seasons competed aggressively with Metropolitan Market for the Mercer Island location, a former Albertsons store. At the time, unionized Metropolitan Market and anti-union New Seasons were both owned by the same private equity firm—Endeavour Capital. So New Seasons’ competition with Met Market looked to us like an attempt by Endeavour Capital to weaken the union and undercut our contracts.

Over the past four years, UFCW 21 and our community partners repeatedly advised New Seasons that it would be welcomed in Seattle if it committed to respect workers’ rights, meet area standards, and address concerns about its role in gentrification and displacement in the Central District. The company dismissed our advice and even hired an aggressive union buster to counter worker organizing in Portland.

UFCW 21 is committed to doing everything we can to support a successful transition for all New Seasons workers. And we are also encouraging PCC to work with Central District community leaders to ensure the 23rd and Union store reflects and respects the historic African American population of the Central District.

Are you a New Seasons worker with questions about moving over to a union store, or need help with job transition? Please call Marc Auerbach at (206) 436-6519.

UFCW 21 Endorses Medicare For All

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 30, 2020
Contact: Joe Mizrahi, jmizrahi@ufcw21.org

UFCW 21 Endorses Medicare For All

WASHINGTON— United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 21 (UFCW 21), the largest private-sector union in the state and the largest UFCW local in the country, is announcing the endorsement of a comprehensive Medicare for All health care plan. Medicare for All legislation has been introduced in the House (H.R. 1384) by U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and in the Senate (S. 1129) by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). 

UFCW 21 has long been at the forefront of advancing the rights and dignity of working people, and our democratically elected member executive board voted Tuesday night to make this endorsement.

“All our members and their families deserve access to high-quality comprehensive health care they can actually afford to use, said Faye Guenther, President of UFCW 21. “While we have fought hard to protect and improve our union health care plans over the years, Medicare for All would cover everyone in our communities, help address the current racial inequities in access to health care, and give our members the flexibility to bargain for other improvements to their benefits and working conditions. We are so proud that our very own Congresswoman Jayapal is leading the way on this important issue for our members.”

 “As someone who works in an ER, I see the effects of our broken health care system every day, as patients skip getting the care they need because they can’t afford it, leading to worse health outcomes and higher costs for everyone. And as a union member, Medicare for All relieves us of the burden of long, drawn-out fights to maintain our health care plans, freeing working people from the crushing consequences of getting sick and opening doors for wage increases and other benefits,” said Jose Hernandez, UFCW 21 executive board member and emergency department assistant at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. “Even health care workers don’t always have good health care plans.”

This election cycle, issues and candidates on the ballot will determine the long-term health and future of the labor movement. UFCW 21 is committed to supporting candidates and policies that further strengthen workers’ voices, both at the federal level and here at home.

###

ABOUT UFCW 21

UFCW 21 is working to build a powerful union that fights for economic, political and social justice in our workplaces and our communities. We represent over 46,000 workers in retail, grocery stores, health care, cannabis, and other industries in Washington State.

UFCW 21 Endorses Bernie Sanders and Medicare For All

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 29, 2020
Contact: Joe Mizrahi, jmizrahi@ufcw21.org , 619-955-2970

UFCW 21 Endorses Bernie Sanders and Medicare For All

WASHINGTON— United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 21 (UFCW 21), the largest private-sector union in the state and the largest UFCW local in the country, is announcing endorsements of Bernie Sanders for President and Medicare for All. UFCW 21 has long been at the forefront of advancing the rights and dignity of working people, and our democratically elected member executive board voted Tuesday night (1/28) to make these endorsements because our members understand what is at stake for workers in the upcoming election.

“Bernie Sanders has by far the most pro-worker labor agenda of any candidate, and we have already seen him use his platform during this campaign to support organizing in the industries we represent,” said Faye Guenther, president of UFCW 21. “As a union, our fundamental goal is to expand worker democracy and power. We are so excited to see a candidate committed to expanding the electorate and inspiring even more people to engage with the democratic process, both in their workplaces and in this election.”

“Bernie understands that even health care workers don’t always have good health care plans,” said Jose Hernandez, UFCW 21 executive board member and emergency department assistant at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. “As someone who works in an ER, I see the effects of our broken health care system every day, as patients skip getting the care they need because they can’t afford it, leading to worse health outcomes and higher costs for everyone. And as a union member, Medicare for All relieves us of the burden of long, drawn-out fights to maintain our health care plans, freeing working people from the crushing consequences of getting sick and opening doors for wage increases and other benefits.”

“We know what it’s like to go up against big corporations and win—and we know Bernie doesn’t back down from a fight,” said Kyong Barry, UFCW 21 executive board member and front-end supervisor at Albertsons in Auburn. “Union workers are facing an uphill battle at the federal level as corporations are attempting to systematically dismantle the protections the union movement has fought for. We’re supporting a candidate who understands the structural change needed to rebuild the union movement.”

This election cycle, issues and candidates on the ballot will determine the long-term health and future of the labor movement. We also see Senator Warren as another strong candidate. In the Washington Primary, you can only vote for one person and we feel that Sanders has a strong track record and set of policy proposals to support union and not-yet-union workers.

###

ABOUT UFCW 21

UFCW 21 is working to build a powerful union that fights for economic, political and social justice in our workplaces and our communities. We represent over 46,000 workers in retail, grocery stores, health care, cannabis, and other industries in Washington State.

Winter 2020 General Membership Meeting

This General Membership Meeting session, we are expanding our Townhall Calls. If there is a Townhall Call in your location, the day and time will be noted in this notice. Townhall Calls are an effort to make meetings more accessible to members and save member resources.

Aberdeen
Monday, February 10
6:00pm
Grays Harbor Hospital
West Campus
915 Anderson Drive
Conference Room E - 1st Floor

Auburn (New)
Wednesday, February 12
*Townhall Call 5:30pm

Bellevue (New)
Thursday, February 13
9:00am & 7:00pm
Red Lion Hotel
11211 Main St
Ravenna Room

Bellingham
Wednesday, February 12 7:00pm
Quality Inn Grand Suites
100 E Kellogg Rd
Olympus Room

Bremerton (New)
Monday, February 10
11:00am
Harrison Medical Center
2520 Cherry Ave
Aspen Room

Brewster (New)
Wednesday, February 12
*Townhall Call 5:30pm

Centralia (New)
Wednesday, February 12
10:00am
Providence Centralia Hospital
914 S Scheuber Rd
Cafeteria

Wednesday, February 12
*Townhall Call 5:30pm

Colville/Chewelah (New)
Wednesday, February 12
*Townhall Call 5:30pm

Coupeville (New)
Wednesday, February 12
3:15pm
WhidbeyHealth Medical Center
101 N Main St
Conference Room AB

Enumclaw (New)
Wednesday, February 12
*Townhall Call 5:30pm

Everett (New)
Tuesday, February 11
9:00am & 7:00pm
Snohomish County PUD
2320 California St Room
TC2-A

Federal Way (New)
Wednesday, February 12
*Townhall Call 5:30pm

Forks
Monday, February 10
2:00pm
Forks Community Hospital
530 Bogachiel Way
Main Conference Room

Republic (New)
Wednesday, February 12
*Townhall Call 5:30pm

Sea-Tac (New)
Thursday, February 13
7:00pm
Angle Lake Family Resource Center 4040 S 188th St, STE 100
Meeting Room

Seattle
Tuesday, February 11
9:30am & 7:00pm
Phinney Neighborhood Center
6532 Phinney Ave N
Room 6 - Blue Bldg.

Thursday, February 13
9:00am & 7:00 pm
UFCW 21 Office
5030 1st Ave S
Joe Crump Hall

Sequim
Wednesday, February 12
7:00pm Quality Inn
134 River Rd
Breakfast Room

Shelton
Tuesday, February 11
12:00pm
Mason General Hospital
901 Mountain View Dr
Washington Room

Silverdale
Wednesday, February 12
9:00am & 5:30 pm
UFCW 21 Office
3888 NW Randall Way #105 Conference Room

South Bend (New)
Wednesday, February 12
*Townhall Call 5:30pm

Spokane
Thursday, February 13
8:00am, 1:00pm & 4:00pm
UFCW 21 Office
2805 N Market St
Conference Room

Tacoma (New)
Tuesday, February 11
2:15pm & 5:00pm
Tacoma General Hospital
315 MLK Jr Way
Commencement Wing, 5th Floor MMC

Tonasket (New)
Wednesday, February 12
*Townhall Call 5:30pm

Walla Walla
Monday, February 10
1:00pm
Providence St. Mary’s Medical Center 401 W Poplar St
Vincentian Room

Wenatchee (New)
Wednesday, February 12
*Townhall Call 5:30pm

Kennewick (New)
Wednesday, February 12
*Townhall Call 5:30pm

Kent
Monday, February 10
9:00am & 5:30pm
Kent Commons
525 4th Ave N
Mill Creek Room

Lynnwood
Monday, February 10
7:00pm
Snohomish County PUD
21014 63rd Ave W
Conference Room

Monroe
Thursday, February 13
3:30pm
EvergreenHealth Monroe
14701 179th Ave SE
The Cafe Corner

Moses Lake (New)
Wednesday, February 12
*Townhall Call 5:30pm

Mount Vernon
Thursday, February 13
7:00pm
UFCW 21 Office
1510 N 18th St
Conference Room

Oak Harbor (New)
Wednesday, February 12
*Townhall Call 5:30pm

Olympia (New)
Monday, February 10
12:00pm
Kaiser Permanente
700 Lily Rd NE
OLY A

Tuesday, February 11
3:30pm
Capital Medical Center
3900 Capital Mall Dr SW
Cafeteria

Wednesday, February 12
New Time and Location
1:30pm
Providence St. Peter Hospital
413 Lily Rd NE
Room 201

Omak (New)
Wednesday, February 12
*Townhall Call 5:30pm

Port Angeles (New)
Wednesday, February 12
4:30pm
Olympic Medical Center
939 Caroline St
Fairshter Hall

Port Townsend
Tuesday, February 11
12:00pm & 5:15pm
Pt. Townsend Senior Center
620 Tyler St
Board Room

TOWN HALL CALL meeting

This General Membership Meeting session, we are expanding our Town hall Calls. If there is a Town hall Call in your location, the day and time will be noted on this notice. Town hall Calls are an effort to make meetings more accessible to members and save member resources.

All you need to do is pick up your phone when we call, and you will be connected to the live Town hall Call meeting. You will have the opportunity to ask questions on this call.

To make sure we have your correct phone number go to: UFCW21.org/update-your-information by February 5.

If you would like your location to have a Town hall Call in the future, please go to: UFCW21.org/gmmcall.

We look forward to talking to you!

Working on Wage Increases: Contract Proposal Meeting Scheduled

WSNA, UFCW 21 Support Providence Swedish Workers

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT – Jan. 17, 2019

WSNA, UFCW 21 Support Providence Swedish workers

As members of the Providence Union Coalition, which has fought for months to secure fair contracts for our members, the Washington State Nurses Association and UFCW 21 fully support Providence Swedish workers represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW as they serve 10-day notice to the hospital of their intention to strike for patient care and safety at multiple campuses.

WSNA and UFCW 21 have reached Tentative Agreements and have already or will soon vote on these for new contracts at Providence-run hospitals across the state. Now, it’s time for Providence to cease its Unfair Labor Practices against Swedish workers and seriously address SEIU 1199NW proposals that lay out a roadmap for success in safe staffing, workplace safety, recruitment and retention, racial equity and inclusion for all, and provide for the needs of environmental service workers, social workers, counselors and caregivers who provide standby and call. It is time for Providence to bargain in good faith and reach a fair contract settlement with the 8,000 nurses and other health care workers who provide excellent care to patients across the Swedish system.

WSNA and UFCW 21 remain committed to the coalition that helped us reach agreements that advance improvements for patient care and safety and supports SEIU 1199NW in their continued fight. When you take on one of us, you take on all of us. When union workers, patients and community come together we can take on large employers like Providence and make sure they treat workers fairly. This helps improve the well-being of our communities and the safety and care we provide in our hospitals.

tentative agreement reached with the Sequim school district: Contract Vote Scheduled

The bargaining committee is fully recommending this tentative agreement, which includes improvements to the contract and no take-aways! Thursday, January 30 2pm to 4pm Sequim School District Office in the Board Room 503 N Sequim Ave, Sequim, WA 98382

UFCW 21 Providence Workers’ Votes Announced

For Immediate Release:
January 15, 2020
Contact: Tom Geiger, 206-604-3421 

UFCW 21 Providence Workers’ Votes Announced

 “We showed that through unity, and a commitment to our patients and each other that we could win a fair contract that is better for patient care and safety, better for staffing and better for the future of our hospitals.”

*The changes are reflective of wins across our union’s Providence bargaining units. Specifics may vary by location.                                                                      

The Tentative Agreement reached held the line on every one of the employer’s takeaways including: 

• NO cuts to our paid time off/sick leave that would have taken millions of dollars from years of our earned benefits

• ONLY accepting the new leave system after significant improvements and where it benefits us—at Holy Family and St. Mary’s

• NO changes to our health care

We fought for and won: 

• Improved safety standards for workers so we can be safe at work

• Improved staffing levels so we can take care of our patients with enough co-workers on shift

• Significant wage increases for every scale so we can better recruit and retain high quality staff at all our hospitals 

• Ratification bonus payments  

• Many market adjustments and increases to premiums to make sure we are fairly compensated and our workplaces remain competitive

• Better language in our contract to increase our power as unionized workers so we can stand up to Providence in the future and push back against their attempts to intimidate

• Lines up contract expirations in a way that will allow us to take action together in greater numbers in the next round of negotiations

Now the time has come for members at each location to vote. At their vote meeting, members will review the full details of the proposed new contract, get questions answered and vote.

Pro-Tech in Everett

DATE: 01/21/20

TIMES: 6:00am – 9:00am, 11:00am – 2:00pm, 5:00pm – 9:00pm

LOCATION: Colby Campus  Olympic, Conference Room, 1700 13th St, Everett, WA 98201

DATE: 01/21/20

TIMES: 6:00am – 9:00am, 11:00am – 2:00pm

LOCATION: Everett Labor Temple Room 106, 2810 Lombard Ave Everett, WA 98201

Centralia RN

DATE: 01/22/20

TIMES: 6:00am – 9:00am, 11:00am – 2:00pm, 5:00pm – 9:00pm

LOCATION: Koreski Conference Room 914, S Scheuber Rd, Centralia, WA 98531

St. Peter’s RN

DATE: 01/23/20

TIMES: 6:00am – 9:00am, 11:00am – 2:00pm, 5:00pm – 9:00pm

LOCATION: Nisqually Conference Room, 413 Lilly Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98506

St. Mary’s RN

DATE: 01/23/20

TIME: 5:30pm – 8:30pm

LOCATION: Mother Joseph Room A & B, 401 W Poplar St, Walla Walla, WA 99362

DATE: 01/24/20

TIME: 11:00am – 2:00pm, 4:00pm-6:00pm

LOCATION: Mother Joseph Room A & B, 401 W Poplar St, Walla Walla, WA 99362

BACKGROUND:

We started out as nine different negotiations across our one union. For months we got essentially nowhere and we were suffering from an increasing number of Unfair Labor Practices. Then we started to turn that around. We coordinated actions across our union, took strike authorization votes and developed a Unity commitment with SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW and WSNA. We worked together and ramped up the pressure on Providence to change. They still didn’t move. And then just hours before we collectively would have issued our 10-day notices to strike, we had a breakthrough. Together. This was followed by around the clock negotiations and ongoing unity that resulted in historic Tentative Agreements being reached across all of our bargaining units. We did it together. We remain committed to supporting SEIU healthcare 1199 NW until they reach a Tentative Agreement. And we are committed to keeping up with this collective spirit to enforce our contracts and negotiate together again in years ahead.

Tentative Agreement Reached contract votes scheduled: Providence PRMCE • Centralia • St. Peter • St. Mary

Providence PRMCE • Centralia • St. Peter • St. Mary

Tentative Agreement Reached

contract votes scheduled

After months of negotiations working in coalition with UFCW 21, SEIU 1199NW and WSNA, dozens of actions across the state and connecting with our communities about our issues, our Bargaining Team has reached a tentative agreement and recommends a YES VOTE! Now the time has come to make your voices heard again. Come to a vote meeting to review the full details of your proposed new contract, get questions answered, and vote.

PRMCE Pro-Tech
01/21/20
6:00am – 9:00am 11:00am – 2:00pm 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Colby Campus Olympic Conference Room
1700 13th St, Everett, WA 98201

01/21/20
6:00am – 9:00am 11:00am – 2:00pm
Everett Labor Temple Room 106
2810 Lombard Ave Everett, WA 98201

St. Peter’s RN
01/23/20
6:00a – 9:00a 11:00a – 2:00p 5:00p – 9:00p
Nisqually Conference Room 413
Lilly Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98506

Centralia RN
01/22/20
6:00a – 9:00a 11:00a – 2:00p 5:00p – 9:00p
Koreski Conference Room
914 S Scheuber Rd, Centralia, WA 98531

St. Mary’s RN
01/23/20
5:30pm – 8:30pm

01/24/20
11:00am – 2:00pm 4:00pm-6:00pm
Mother Joseph Room A & B
401 W Poplar St, Walla Walla, WA 99362

*These votes are open to all active-member UFCW 21 Providence Workers. Active members are eligible to vote at whatever time is most convenient.

Providence Sacred Heart & Holy Family - Contract Vote Scheduled

UFCW 21 RNs at St Mary’s, St Peters and Centralia Reach Tentative Agreements early this morning

News Update: January 10, 2020 – 8:00 AM
Contact: Tom Geiger, UFCW 21: 206-604-3421

UFCW 21 RNs at St Mary’s, St Peters and Centralia Reach Tentative Agreements Early This Morning

This morning we are announcing that over the night, UFCW 21 RNs from St Mary’s in Walla Walla and then our RNs at St Peters from Olympia and Centralia all reached Tentative Agreements.

Just over one week ago 13,000 nurses and health care workers at UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW and WSNA were all prepared to begin the final 10-day countdown for a large-scale strike at Providence for patient care and safety. A January 2nd joint bargaining session with all three unions and the employer resulted in the first significant progress in months and that breakthrough led to the postponing of the strike notice. This week started with a Tentative Agreement (TA) being reached by RNs from WSNA at Sacred Heart. Within 24 hours UFCW 21 service and maintenance workers at Sacred Heart also reached a TA, followed another 24 hours later by TAs with service and maintenance workers at Holy Family and two more bargaining units (Professional and Technical workers) at Providence Medical Center in Everett.

These TAs represent advances for patient care and safety and improvement of workplace conditions and they have been made possible by the unity of SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW, WSNA and UFCW 21. These three unions represent over 13,000 health care workers and nurses at 13 facilities across the state in this current round of negotiations with Providence.

At the timing of this release, ongoing intensive negotiations are taking place today with SEIU healthcare 1199 NW and Providence and it is hoped that a tentative agreement will be reached there soon.

Holy Family Tentative Agreement Reached

News Update: January 9, 2020 – early AM
Contact: Tom Geiger, UFCW 21: 206-604-3421

Holy Family Tentative Agreement Reached

In a continuation of Tentative Agreements reached in the last 72 hours at Providence Hospitals, the UFCW 21 Service and Maintenance members at Holy Family reached a Tentative Agreement last night. Also yesterday, Tentative Agreements were reached at UFCW 21’s Sacred Heart Service and Maintenance unit, as well as two bargaining units (Professional and Technical) at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett. These advances for patient care and safety and improvement of workplace conditions achieved so far have been the result of the unity of SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW, WSNA and UFCW 21. These three unions represent over 13,000 health care workers and nurses at 13 facilities across the state in this current round of negotiations.

Ongoing negotiations are taking place today with UFCW 21 RNs at Providence Hospitals of St Peters, Centralia and St Mary’s.

UPDATE – 2nd and 3rd Tentative Agreements of the Day Reached with UFCW 21 at Providence Everett Medical Center, other Tables Continue Talks

For Immediate Release: January 8, 2020 - 1:00 PM
Contact: Tom Geiger, UFCW 21 Cell: 206-604-3421

UPDATE – 2nd and 3rd Tentative Agreements of the Day Reached with UFCW 21 at Providence Everett Medical Center, other Tables Continue Talks

After months of contract negotiations, the UFCW 21 Professional and the Technical units at Providence Everett have both reached a fully recommended Tentative Agreement for new contracts. This resolution came within hours of the Tentative Agreement reached with UFCW 21’s Service and Maintenance workers at Sacred Heart in Spokane. These wins are a result of the strong unity between UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW and WSNA.

Negotiations with UFCW 21 service and maintenance workers at Holy Family have resumed today, and our RNs from Centralia and St Peter Hospitals are gathering to return to negotiations later today as well. Our RNs at St Mary’s in Walla Walla are planned to be in negotiations tomorrow.

Tentative Agreement Reached with UFCW 21 at Providence Sacred Heart, other Tables Continue Talks

For Immediate Release: January 8, 2020 -   9:30 AM
Contact: Tom Geiger, UFCW 21 Cell: 206-604-3421

Tentative Agreement Reached with UFCW 21 at Providence Sacred Heart, other Tables Continue Talks

After months of contract negotiations, the service and maintenance workers at Sacred Heart reached a fully recommended Tentative Agreement in the early morning hours on January 8th. This win was a result of the strong unity between UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW and WSNA.

Negotiations between UFCW 21 Pro and Tech members at Everett Medical Center have been ongoing over the night and into this morning. Additionally, UFCW 21 will go into another round of negotiations with Service and Maintenance workers at Holy Family in Spokane later today, and then our RNs from Centralia and St Peter Hospitals are gathering for returning to negotiations later today as well. Our RNs at St Mary’s in Walla Walla are planned to be in negotiations tomorrow.

Unity of Unions Leads to Tentative Agreement for WSNA – coalition continues push for Agreements at all Providence Hospitals

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 7, 2020

SEIU Healthcare 1199NW
UFCW 21
WSNA

Unity of Unions Leads to Tentative Agreement for WSNA – coalition continues push for Agreements at all Providence Hospitals

This morning the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) announced the reaching of a Tentative Agreement in contract negotiations with Providence at Sacred Heart in Spokane. Over 13,000 nurses and health care workers of our three unions have been in contract negotiations with Providence for months to protect patient care and safety. SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW, UFCW 21, and WSNA stand united for patient care and safety and our unity has made us strong. This was the key to reaching the Tentative Agreement at Sacred Heart with WSNA. Now we will continue our hard work and unity to ensure that every worker at Providence gets a fair contract that helps protect patient care and safety and improves the working conditions at all these Providence hospitals across Washington.

Providence Can Do Better Candle light vigils: January 8

Providence Can Do Better
Candle light vigils
Join us Jan. 8

St. Peter – Olympia / 5pm Corner of Lilly Rd NE & Ensign Rd NE

Centralia / 5pm Corner of S Scheuber Rd & Cooks Hill Rd

Sacred Heart– Spokane / 5pm Cowley Park W 7th Ave & S Division St.

Holy Family -Spokane / 5pm Corner of N. Lidgerwood St & E Rowan Ave

Everett / 5pm Corner of Colby Ave & 13th St.

St. Mary’s – Walla Walla / 5pm Corner of S 7th Ave & W Poplar St.

Vigils are being held all across the state.

Tell Macy's Management not to abandon their downtown Seattle workers

Macy’s management is shutting-down their flagship store and shutting-out their career employees from the severance and health care they have earned.

Macy’s is still not offering a fair severance package to their most senior, and loyal members.  Macy’s is also trying to shove the costs of continued medical coverage on to laid-off workers.  This is much less than laid off workers from the recently closed Northgate store who had their medical insurance covered for 3 months, and were offered fair severance packages.

Here’ is some sample text that you can use in your message to Macy’s:

“Macy's shouldn't abandon its most senior and loyal employees. You should offer associates a severance package that honors all associates' total time dedicated to your company. Shame on you for offering a lesser healthcare transition than other displaced Macy's employees have received in the past. Macy’s should treat their workers equally and with respect.”

Send you message to Macy’s Management by pressing the button below.

Macy’s workers need your help, please go to https://survey.medallia.com/?mcy-tuwyt-store, choose Washington State, Seattle Downtown, and click “next.”  Then choose Complaint and General Feedback, and let Macy’s know you feel about their substandard proposal. 

Progress in Negotiations Results in Postponement of Strike Date

(Jan. 3, 2020)

—After ongoing discussions, the three unions representing 13,000 health care workers at 13 Providence hospitals statewide have agreed to pause plans to announce a strike. The parties have made significant progress on key issues. The parties will go back to the table to continue bargaining their respective contracts. We are committed to working through outstanding shared interests regarding patient safety, workplace violence prevention, and recruitment and retention.

For many months, and in some cases more than a year, health care workers and nurses at Providence Hospitals across Washington have been in contract negotiations. Because of ongoing challenges and a lack of progress to protect patient care and safety, these workers passed strike authorization votes in October. Negotiations in November and December did not produce adequate progress. However, over the last 24 hours joint discussions with all three unions – UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW and WSNA – and Providence have resulted in the most significant progress to date. As a result of this progress, and the commitment to hold ongoing negotiations during the coming days, the unions have agreed to pause today’s filing of the 10-day notice of a strike.

A message to the membership of UFCW 21

A message to the membership of UFCW 21

 The decade has come to a close. We are grateful for all the struggles we have had together and for the successes of making the lives of working people better here locally, around the nation, and the world. We have advocated for and won advances that have improved the working conditions and communities for millions with higher wages, paid sick leave, paid family leave, improved scheduling, better workplace safety, and protected the voice of workers at work. We have improved voting access, health care coverage, helped pass climate change reforms and the list goes on and on.
 
And yet, we as a society are threatened by a shrill sense of hatred and intolerance that has been spreading. This rise in hatred and intolerance, including but not only limited to racism, sexism, xenophobia, and antisemitism is a threat to the social fabric of our country and undermines our efforts to build worker power. As recently as the days leading up to New Year’s, there were attacks on the Jewish community that were based on terror and anti-Semitism. And attacks on people of color are a daily tragedy. Through our work within our union and across our society, we have been highlighting and seeking to address at a fundamental level the racist policies and attacks on women, people of color, immigrants, the LGBTQ community, and many others in our nation.
 
The reality is that we are all better off when we stand together against intolerance, indifference, and bigotry. It is our hope that with united action, together, we can make headway in the next decade, much like we made in the last and at the same time achieve a major shift in the causes of racism, violence, and economic, social and political injustice.
 
Peace be with you,
 
Faye Guenther, President and Joe Mizrahi, Secretary Treasurer

When we stand together, we win! Thank you!

When we stand strong and stand together, we win. Over the last twelve months we built a successful campaign for a fair contract through our actions, our stories, and our unity. Back in November of 2018, a record number of members from stores all across the region participated in the bargaining survey which provided the focus, direction, and priorities for our member bargaining team. The next twelve months would see us come together for Contract Action Team meetings, community partner gatherings, leaflets, neighborhood canvasses, and then summer informational pickets. During it all we wore our buttons, united with other UFCW members up and down the West Coast, and shared 25,000 Better Jobs–Better Communities union grocery store bags with our customers and community allies.

Because of our shared strength and purpose we ratified the strongest grocery store contract in decades, with no takeaways. We did this together; every department, every store, every community. Together, we win.

A strong new contract means new language about our rights and wages to learn, be trained on, and enforce. Sign up for safety training, Steward training, member action teams, and more.

Here’s what UFCW 21 members are saying about our new contract:
(if you’re on your phone and don’t see the quotes, turn your phone sideways)

“I’ve been working in the deli for 21 years. I never thought I’d see these wages. I wore my union button the whole time, I went to both info pickets. I am so excited!” -Madeline, Safeway deli

“I was really surprised that there were no takeaways. I’m glad to be part of a union that gets stuff done.” -Stefanie, QFC Meat/Seafood

“This is outstanding. Look at the whole package.” -Dave, Safeway, 41 year member

“This is the best contract we’ve gotten in years.” -Dee (L), Fred Meyer

“We addressed the pension, which is important to me. I like the fact that there’s something in there for journey people. I’ve been here for 30 years.” -Susie, Fred Meyer Alderwood

“We’re very fortunate to have this health care. The cost of health care is skyrocketing.” -Harry, Issaquah Safeway, 12 years

“I think it’s a great contract! And we won’t have to worry about our pension.” -Angela, Fred Meyer

“We like the scheduling. You can get the days you want, and the days off you want.” -Honesta (R), Albertsons Renton

“Right now, my schedule is closing at 9pm, and coming back in at 7 in the morning. That’s not enough time to rest. I want to pick my day off.” -Keo (L), Albertsons Renton

“It’s good that the union looked at safety this time.” -Carson (R), U-District Safeway, UFCW member since 1973

“My husband lost his insurance & is on different insurance now, and we’re really learning how important our good health coverage is. I’ve been with QFC for 20 years, and you don’t realize until you lose it just how good the coverage is. When I go to the eye place, they say, ‘You have great insurance!’ I’m putting him back on mine as soon as I can. Nothing’s changing, and that’s great! You’re not going to get these benefits anywhere else.” -Patricia, QFC Pine Lake

“I worked at nonunion jobs for 15 years, and this is my first union contract vote. After talking to my coworkers, I feel really good about it.” -Caitlin (L), Lynnwood Fred Meyer

“I’m really impressed by this contract. There’s more work to be done, but I’m really pleased.” -Donna, Safeway

“We feel really good about this contract. Thanks for fighting for us!” -Maninder (R), Auburn FM

“I think you did awesome! Thanks for all your hard work, bargaining team.” -Rosie, Auburn Fred Meyer

Puget Sound Grocery Store Workers are proud of a contract that includes:

• Strongest journey wage increases in UFCW 21’s history.

• Full back pay to expiration .

• A long-term solution to our pension with projected improvements.

• Health care benefits that are projected to be fully-funded, include benefit improvements and NO increases to premiums or deductibles.

• First scheduling overhaul in decades, giving us more control over our schedules.

• Strong safety language for the first time ever in our contract.

• A plan for the future of technology and workforce training.

• Protections for our wage scales, so as minimum wage goes up, so do our wage steps.

• NOT ONE SINGLE CUT OR TAKEAWAY!

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Members have been reporting that they are receiving their retro-pay checks and journey pay increases, be sure to check your check!

Retro-pay:

• Journey persons under contracts that expired before contract ratification are entitled for retro-pay under the newly negotiated pay scale. Check with your Steward or call your Rep if you think you were eligible but have not received retro-pay.

New minimum wage:

• On January 1st, the state’s minimum wage goes to $13.50 an hour, and all wages by contract are at least 10¢ above minimum and each step at least 10¢ above the last step. Our union was one of the leading forces that helped pass the law that requires the minimum wage to rise as the cost of living goes up.

Look closely at pay around the holidays:

• For work after 6 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, you should be paid time and a half.

• All hours worked on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and other holidays is paid at time and a half. In addition, if you qualify for Holiday Pay, make sure you receive it.

If you think you have a problem, read the contract and contact your steward, or call your Rep.