Frequently Asked Questions from UFCW 21 Members about coronavirus/COVID-19

En Español

Note to all members: One of the most important ways we can prevent the spread of this illness is to stay home from work if you are feeling ill. If you have any questions about your right to stay home from work, contact your Union Rep or the Rep of the Day immediately 206-436-6578. The UFCW 21 office number is 1-800-732-1188. 

If you believe your employer is not following proper safety guidelines or you would like to report safety concerns, send your name, workplace, contact information, and a description of your concerns to: safetyreport@ufcw21.org. 

Frequently asked questions from members about novel coronavirus/COVID-19  

For Frequently Asked Questions for Health Care Workers Scroll down further

Note: we will continue to update this post as questions arise and new information becomes available. 

Q: How serious is the illness caused by this new virus?  

A: According to King County Public Health, it appears that the majority of the reported illnesses are mild, with fever and cough, but a smaller percentage of cases are severe and involve pneumonia, particularly in elderly people and people with underlying medical conditions. People have died of this illness, so it’s important to try and stop it from spreading as best we can. 

Q: Who is in a “high risk” category for serious illness from this virus? 

A: Because this is a new virus, scientists and public health experts are still studying it. Currently, the national Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says the highest risk categories are older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease. The list of health conditions that may put you at higher risk has changed as new research is done, so it’s a good idea to check the CDC’s website for up-to-date info if you have questions. Note: If you are over 65 or in a medical high-risk category, you have specific rights at work in Washington to help protect your safety. Find a page about those rights here.

Q: I feel sick, what should I do? 

A: If you have symptoms like a cough, fever, shortness of breath, or other respiratory problems, you should call your health care provider or the Washington State COVID hotline at 1-800-525-0127 (this hotline is open 6am to 10pm Mon-Fri, 8am to 6 pm weekends & holidays). In King County, you can reach the county’s call center from 8am to 7pm at (206) 477-3977. Call your health care provider before you go in to see them so they can prepare their staff and stay safe while they treat you. You should also stay home from work and away from public places. 

Q: I feel sick, but I don’t want to stay home from work.  

A: One of the absolute most effective ways to prevent the spread of this illness is to stay home if you are sick. We have fought hard for the right to paid sick leave and other leave language in our contracts, and we have the right to use it. Under Washington State paid sick leave, your employer cannot ask you for a doctor’s note until the 3rd day of your illness, and they cannot retaliate against you for taking your paid sick time. Many contracts have additional sick leave, PTO, or other leave benefits you may be able to utilize. Use your contract and ask a Shop Steward if you need help.  

Q: I feel sick, but I’m out of paid sick time.  

A: You should let your manager know as soon as possible that you feel unwell and need to go home or stay home. Our employers should be following the CDC’s best practices for employers right now, which includes encouraging people to stay home when they are sick, and we are talking to employers at the highest level to ensure members can stay safe. Many workplaces have negotiated COVID agreements that include If you have any issues, call your Union Rep or the Rep of the Day as soon as you can so they can help. 

Q: What should I do During school closures IF I don’t have childcare?  

A: Both Washington State and the City of Seattle have made clear that you can use Paid Sick Leave when your child’s school is closed and you don’t have childcare. We are working with employers regarding the importance of following public health guidelines during an outbreak, which includes being flexible about giving workers who need to stay home access to paid leave. We are also working as quickly as we can with employers, our friends in the labor movement, community allies, public agencies, and our state government to find more childcare solutions. This is an emerging situation and we will keep you updated as we get new answers. Your Shop Steward or Union Rep are ready to help you advocate for yourself and your family if you are navigating a difficult circumstance. 

Q: Will I have access to pay or benefits if I am quarantined due to COVID-19?  

A: Washington State has made an emergency ruling that health care workers and first responders have access to workers compensation benefits if they are quarantined. We are currently working with the state and our employers to ensure everyone has access to paid leave and benefits if they are quarantined. If you or a coworker is quarantined, contact your Shop Steward or Union Rep as soon as you can. 

Q: How can I make sure my employer is following proper safety guidelines for my workplace?  

A: Your employer should be providing you with access to hand sanitizer and tissues, hands-free garbage cans to throw away tissues, breaks for hand washing, and should be ensuring that all high-touch surfaces in your work area are cleaned regularly. The guidance we have received from public health experts is that the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing work areas and customer areas depends on the level of use and level of contact. Employers should ensure the hourly cleaning and sanitizing of common surfaces or surfaces that get regular contact. If the level of use/contact by customers or workers is high, they may need to be cleaned even more frequently. King County Public Health issued guidelines for retail food establishments on March 5.

Q: Should I be wearing a mask to work?

A: The recommendations have changed over time, but at this point it is clear that masks are very likely to help prevent the spread of COVID and in Washington they are required in many situations. Your employer should be providing you with all appropriate protective equipment for doing your work safely and complying with safety regulations. You can find a document that covers which masks are appropriate for what kind of work situation right here.

Q: WE HAD A CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASE AT MY WORKPLACE, WHAT IS MY EMPLOYER SUPPOSED TO DO TO MAKE SURE OUR WORKPLACE IS CLEAN AND SAFE?

A: The CDC has guidelines for cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing public places and workplaces. Anyone who is involved in this process should be given adequate training and appropriate PPE for the cleaning and chemicals used. Your employer should follow the CDC’s guidelines, and if they do not, you should let your Union Rep know or email us at safetyreport@ufcw21.org.

Frequently asked questions from health care members 

Q: WHAT ARE THE STATE’S GUIDELINES FOR COVID SAFETY IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS?

A: In September 2020, our state’s Department of Health and Departments of Labor and Industries responded to concerns from health care workers experiencing outbreaks at their hospitals with very clear, enforceable guidelines for health care workers and employers regarding PPE, training, infection control, and more. You can find that document, called a Joint Hazard Alert, right here.

Q: Is my employer required to provide me with personal protective equipment (PPE)? 

A: Your employer is required to provide you with any and all equipment required to do your job safely and training to use it correctly. The CDC is offering guidelines for health care workers, and you should review these regularly to stay up to date and ensure your employer is complying with these guidelines.

You can find CDC guidelines here.

Their Frequently Asked Questions document, covering PPE for transporting patients, asymptomatic patients, and EVS workers, is here.

Q: I heard the CDC CHANGED their interim guidelines for what kind of precautions and PPE we should be using, is that true? 

A: As of 3/10/20, the CDC has updated their interim guidelines to say that when there are limited supplies of PPE like N95 masks and PAPRs, facemasks are an acceptable alternative. During a time of respirator shortage, “available respirators should be prioritized for procedures that are likely to generate respiratory aerosols.” When the supply chain of respirators is restored, health care personnel should return to using respirators when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. We are advocating with government bodies and employers for health care workers’ right to the highest level of protection at work while also maintaining enough PPE for everyone. You can find our most recent public releases on this issue here and here. 

Q: What should I do if I am asked to do something I think is unsafe? 

A: We have a whole separate Q&A on your right to refuse unsafe work assignments. If you are being asked to do something unsafe at work, you should call your Union Rep (or call 1-800-732-1188 to be connected) or call the UFCW 21 Rep of the Day 206-436-6578.

Q: Do I have to use my PTO if I am exposed to COVID-19 at work and quarantined?  

A: We expect employers to put workers on paid leave when they are quarantined, and many health care employers have already agreed to use Paid Admin Leave. The State of Washington has also ruled that health care workers and first responders can access L&I benefits when they are quarantined. 

Q: I received a letter from employee health notifying me that I was exposed to a patient that recently tested positive for COVID-19 and that I was to stay home in quarantine for the next 14 days. But my manager said I just needed to mask up and come in to work, is that true?  

A: Public Health officials ask that people who have been exposed to a communicable disease to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. If you are asked to come into work after being advised to stay home due to exposure, contact your Shop Steward or Union Rep immediately. If you have symptoms like a cough, fever, shortness of breath, or other respiratory problems, you should call your health care provider or the Washington State hotline at 1-800-525-0127 and press #.

If you have further questions:  

Our main office line: 1-800-732-1188  

Rep of the Day line: 206-436-6578 

 Look up your Union Rep and their contact info: ufcw21.org/find-a-contract 

We are monitoring this situation and updating our website at: ufcw21.org/safety-at-work  

If you believe your employer is not following proper safety guidelines or you would like to report safety concerns, send your name, workplace, contact information, and a description of your concerns to: safetyreport@ufcw21.org 

Swains General Store Bargaining Update

As you may have heard, our member bargaining team held its first negotiation session with the employer on March 9, 2020. The team presented management with our proposed changes to the Swain’s contract, which included an aggressive wage proposal and fixes to issues such as holiday pay and retirement. To justify the need for significant wage increases the bargaining team shared their personal stories to management. We shared stories about unaffordable housing, skyrocketing property taxes, and longtime employees being paid close to minimum wage. We all know that the employees at Swain’s General Store are the reason the company has gained the community’s respect and remained profitable against competition such as Walmart. Your bargaining team will return to the table soon and hope management listened and will respond with a counter proposal that respects the hard work and dedication of their employees.

JOINT STATEMENT FROM SEIU HEALTHCARE 1199NW, WASHINGTON STATE NURSES ASSOCIATION AND UFCW 21 ON PROHIBITION OF LARGE EVENTS DURING COVID-19 OUTBREAK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wed., March 11, 2020

CONTACT:

Amy Clark,
SEIU Healthcare 1199NW
amyc@seiu1199nw.org
425.306.2061

Ruth Schubert,
Washington State Nurses Association
rschubert@wsna.org 
206.713.7884

Sarah Cherin,
UFCW 21
scherin@ufcw21.org
206-436-6580

JOINT STATEMENT FROM SEIU HEALTHCARE 1199NW, WASHINGTON STATE NURSES ASSOCIATION AND UFCW 21 ON PROHIBITION OF LARGE EVENTS DURING COVID-19 OUTBREAK

As nurses and healthcare workers providing essential care to patients in hospitals, clinics, and housing and shelters across Washington state, we applaud Gov. Jay Inslee and the leaders of King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties for taking the necessary step of limiting large gatherings during this stage of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Prohibiting events is a common-sense measure that will help protect our community members from the novel coronavirus.

This measure will also help frontline health care workers and our health care system as a whole effectively respond to this crisis by “flattening the curve” of coronavirus patients seeking care. As health care workers on the front lines of responding to this public health emergency, we support all efforts to reduce the impact on our ability to provide care by lowering the daily number of patients coming into a system that is already stressed by the growing number of COVID-19 patients.

We understand that state and local governments and public health agencies are responding proactively to the existing risks created by this new disease in an effort to minimize those risks and keep our healthcare delivery system accessible to all who may need it.

In our role as caregivers, we are often called on to tell patients the truth about their health. The truth we want our community to hear is this: Social distancing, like that enforced by the measure announced today, is one of the very best ways to prevent the spread of epidemic illness. This temporary change in behavior will help protect all of us from the spread of COVID-19, as well as from cold and flu illnesses common during this time of year.

The most vulnerable COVID-19 patients—those age 60 or older or with underlying health conditions—may need intensive hospital care, and it is essential that we preserve hospital intensive and critical care beds for those most vulnerable patients. Social distancing is a public health measure that will help prevent our health system from being overwhelmed, and will make it easier for anyone with the novel coronavirus to access necessary hospital care.

As nurses and health care workers, we care deeply for our patients and take pride in the roles we play on the front lines of patient care, particularly during a time of heightened concern for community health. Our continued safety during this outbreak is critical to our ability to continue to provide quality patient care. We continue to call on the CDC to proactively and effectively target the supply of respirators and use other controls to reduce the risk of infection in health care workers, knowing that our professionals are at the highest risk of infection. We will continue to work closely with health care employers and with federal and local public health agencies to ensure all caregivers have access to the highest level of personal protective equipment available so we can continue to provide the high-quality health care our communities require.

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About SEIU Healthcare 1199NW
SEIU Healthcare 1199NW is a union of nurses and healthcare workers with over 30,000 caregivers throughout hospitals, clinics, mental health, skilled home health and hospice programs in Washington state and Montana. SEIU Healthcare 1199NW’s mission is to advocate for quality care and good jobs for all.

About WSNA 
WSNA is the leading voice and advocate for nurses in Washington state, providing representation, education and resources that allow nurses to reach their full professional potential and focus on caring for patients. WSNA represents more than 17,000 registered nurses for collective bargaining who provide care in hospitals, clinics, schools and community and public health settings across the state. 

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 45,000 workers in retail, grocery stores, health care, and other industries in Washington state. 

State’s largest hospital and clinic unions call for highest possible level of personal protection for caregivers during COVID-19 outbreak

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tues., March 10, 2020

CONTACT:

Amy Clark,
SEIU Healthcare 1199NW
amyc@seiu1199nw.org
425.306.2061

Ruth Schubert,
Washington State Nurses Association
rschubert@wsna.org 
206.713.7884

Sarah Cherin,
UFCW 21
scherin@ufcw21.org
206-436-6580

JOINT STATEMENT FROM WASHINGTON STATE NURSES ASSOCIATION, SEIU HEALTHCARE 1199NW AND UFCW21 ON PERSONAL PROTECTIONS FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS

State’s largest hospital and clinic unions call for highest possible level of personal protection for caregivers during COVID-19 outbreak

The CDC has announced new interim recommendations on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for situations where adequate supplies are unavailable. The CDC recommendations state that face masks are an acceptable alternative when the supply chain of respirators cannot meet the demand. We maintain our position that N-95 respirators are the gold standard and are necessary protec­tion for our nurses and healthcare workers caring for suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients, and the CDC agrees that when the supply chain is restored, providers should return to the use of N95s. The CDC states that “This interim guidance has been updated based on currently available information about COVID-19 and the current situation in the United States, which includes reports of cases of community transmission, infections identified in healthcare personnel (HCP), and shortages of facemasks, N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) (commonly known as N95 respirators), and gowns.”

The supply shortage must continue to be addressed in the most aggressive way possible. We continue to call on the CDC to proactively and effectively target the supply of respirators and use other controls to reduce the risk of infection in health care workers, knowing that our professionals are at the highest risk of infection. The federal government should do all in its power to increase the supply of N-95 respirators and other PPE, which includes releasing the national stockpile and targeting supplies to areas where the outbreak has already occurred; incentivizing U.S.-based companies to produce more N-95s; and promoting the use of powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) in health care settings.

We additionally call on hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities to provide personal protective equipment in an equitable manner. All health care workers—providers, nurses, technical staff and service workers including environmental services janitorial staff—who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to COVID-19 must be afforded the same standard of PPE. Furthermore, many health care workers speak English as a second language. Instruction in the use of PPE and in safe work practices in environments where COVID-19 may be present must be provided in multiple languages and in clear, uncomplicated phrasing in order to increase access to essential information.

As nurses and health care workers, we care deeply for our patients and take pride in the roles we play on the front lines of patient care, particularly during a community health crisis like the one presented by COVID-19. We are committed to the health of our patients and our communities. We will continue to work closely with health care employers and with federal and local public health agencies to ensure all caregivers have access to the highest level of PPE available so we can continue to provide the high-quality health care our communities require.

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About SEIU Healthcare 1199NW
SEIU Healthcare 1199NW is a union of nurses and healthcare workers with over 30,000 caregivers throughout hospitals, clinics, mental health, skilled home health and hospice programs in Washington state and Montana. SEIU Healthcare 1199NW’s mission is to advocate for quality care and good jobs for all.

About WSNA 
WSNA is the leading voice and advocate for nurses in Washington state, providing representation, education and resources that allow nurses to reach their full professional potential and focus on caring for patients. WSNA represents more than 17,000 registered nurses for collective bargaining who provide care in hospitals, clinics, schools and community and public health settings across the state. 

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 45,000 workers in retail, grocery stores, health care, and other industries in Washington state. 

Washington State: COVID-19 emergency rules that allow for expanded access to unemployment insurance.

UFCW 21 has been working closely with our elected officials and government agencies to ensure our members’ needs are considered as we respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Employment Security Department’s emergency rules allow for expanded access to unemployment insurance benefits have now gone into effect.

For example:

• Workers may receive unemployment benefits and employers may get relief of benefit charges if an employer needs to shut down operations temporarily because a worker becomes sick and other workers need to be isolated or quarantined as a result of COVID-19.

• Standby will be available for part-time workers as well as full-time workers, as long as they meet the minimum 680 hours.

• Workers that are asked to isolate or quarantine by a medical professional or public health official as a result of exposure to COVID-19 may receive unemployment benefits and work search requirements could be waived, so long as they have a return date with their employer. The return to work date can be the date the isolation or quarantine is lifted.

• If a worker falls seriously ill and is forced to quit, they cannot collect unemployment benefits while they are seriously ill but may be eligible once they recover and are able and available for work.

Click or tap image to download the PDF

Public Health Recommendations to Minimize the Spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Retail Food Establishments.

These are guidelines from Public Health – Seattle & King County for retail, food, and grocery businesses and workers. If you would like to report safety concerns at your workplace, please speak with your Shop Steward or Union Rep, or email safetyreport@ufcw21.org and include where you work, your safety concerns, and how best to contact you.

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March 16, 2020

As of March 16, 2020, King County has updated their guidelines for retail and grocery stores as follows.

Please note: The “retail” guidance seems to have been incorporated into the general essential businesses guidance here: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/workplaces/retail.aspx

The COVID-19 prevention measures and mandatory actions for retail establishments:

Based on CDC guidance and Governor Inslee's Proclamation these establishments must observe the following COVID-19 prevention measures.

Retail establishments must align with COVID-19 prevention measures as follows:

1. Older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions that are at increased risk of serious COVID-19 are encouraged not to attend (including employees).

   • Suggestion: Take specific steps to encourage older adults age 60 and above and those with underlying health conditions not to attend. For groceries, banks, and other essential establishments, consider implementing dedicated times exclusively available for highly vulnerable populations.

2. Social distancing recommendations must be met (i.e., limit contact of people within 6 feet from each other for 10 minutes or longer).

   • Suggestion: Establishments should ask themselves: how close will people be and for how long? Ensure that your business is organized in such way to avoid close contact between people. Washington Department of Health advises that “being within 6 feet of a sick person with COVID-19 for about 10 minutes” constitutes close contact which could result in exposure.

3. Employees must be screened for coronavirus symptoms each day and excluded if symptomatic.

   • Suggestion: Have a plan to screen employees or volunteers every day. CDC guidelines identify the key symptoms to watch for as fever, cough and shortness of breath.

   • Signage should discourage attendance for any person who has these systems.

4. Proper hand hygiene and sanitation must be readily available to all attendees and employees.

   • Suggestion: Provide ready access to hand sanitizer and hand sanitizer stations and request employees and customers to abide by personal hygiene recommendations. CDC recommends that people wash their hands often, and if soap and water is not readily available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, and to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

5. Environmental cleaning guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are followed (e.g., clean and disinfect high touch surfaces daily or more frequently).

   • Suggestion: Ensure a clean and sanitary environment. Have employees disinfect frequently-touched surfaces such as doorknobs, tables, desks, and handrails. CDC provides detailed environmental and disinfection recommendations.

Additional guidance that retail establishments must adhere to:

Based on CDC guidance, retail and service operators should adopt the following practices:

1. Encourage staff who can to telework

2. Consider the following measures to achieve social distances requirement

   • Spacing workers at the worksite

   • Staggering work schedules

   • Decreasing social contacts in the workplace (limit in-person meetings)

   • All break areas must accommodate distancing

   • Reducing the capacity of customers

3. Strive for flexible leave policies for staff who need to stay home due to school/childcare dismissals.

4. Place posters and other signage that encourage staying home when sick, cough and sneeze etiquette, and hand hygiene at the entrance to your establishment and in other nearby areas where they are likely to be seen by customers and clients.

5. Provide disposable wipes to ensure frequently used surfaces are cleaned.

6. Each retail establishments must have a lead employee to ensure compliance with this guidance.

Specifically in grocery stores:

• Apply the social distancing recommendations to any lines that form inside or outside of the store

• Prohibit self-serve foods, including hot bars, cold bars and buffets.

• Prohibit product sampling

• Appoint a designated sanitation worker at all times to continuously clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and meet the environmental cleaning guidelines set by the CDC.

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March 5, 2020

Food has not been identified as a likely source of COVID-19 infection at this time; however food businesses can play an important role in both protecting their employees and their customers from coronavirus infection by following the below personal and environmental hygiene practices.  

• Stay home when you are sick with fever, coughing, and sneezing. 

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for 20 seconds upon first arriving to work, after using the restroom, before and after eating and frequently throughout the day.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. 

• Provide alcohol based (60%) hand sanitizers for use for both employees and customers by placing them at convenient/accessible locations.

• Use sanitizing solution (i.e., one teaspoon of unscented household bleach in a gallon of cool water) to frequently sanitize commonly touched surfaces and objects such as electronics, door knobs, faucet handles, counter tops, cash machine key pads, dining tables frequently throughout the day. Change the sanitizing solution at least once every four hours.

• Consider temporarily limiting self-serve operations.  Examples of such operations include; salad bars, buffets and dispensers.  Replace utensils frequently (approximately hourly) during peak use hours for self-serve style operations.

• Ensure dishwasher and/or three –compartment sinks are used properly and have the appropriate level of sanitizer for final rinse (50-100 PPM chlorine based sanitizer, follow product label for other approved sanitizers).

• Ensure sneeze guards are in place where required.

• If you have food employees at higher risk for coronavirus with underlying health conditions, such as people 60 or older, people with underlying health conditions (heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes) or those with weakened immune systems or those who are pregnant: consider temporarily assigning them to non-public-contact duties.

If you are a food business owner or a food worker and have questions related to your operation please reach out to your Health Investigator or call 206-263-9566 to speak with office staff.  For the latest information, please visit the following site: https://www.kingcounty.gov/coronavirus

March 6 update: Unions Representing Health Care Professionals Call on CDC to Reconsider Protections During Coronavirus Outbreak

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 6, 2020

CONTACT:
Abraham White, 202-341-1899, awhite@ufcw.org
Tom Geiger, 206-604-3421, tgeiger@ufcw21.org

Unions Representing Health Care Professionals Call on CDC to Reconsider Protections During Coronavirus Outbreak

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union joined the Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of Teachers in calling on the Centers for Disease Control to strengthen protections for first responders fighting the coronavirus outbreak. These unions represent thousands of these health care workers in Washington who are on the front lines of COVID-19 response.

“Health care workers represented by UFCW are bravely stepping up to help so many communities confronting the coronavirus,” said UFCW International President Marc Perrone. “Keeping our patients and families safe starts with strong leadership. UFCW’s 1.3 million members and workers across the country are calling on the CDC and both parties – Republicans and Democrats – to work together to take the bold steps needed to strengthen the government’s response to this crisis, before it’s too late.”

“Our members are displaying extraordinary courage and dedication at the front lines of this outbreak in Washington State, and both the safety of our community and the integrity of our health care system depends on their ability to do their work safely,” said UFCW Local 21 President Faye Guenther in Seattle. “By caring for patients with COVID-19 health care workers are putting themselves at higher risk, and they deserve the highest level of protection.”

“The Trump administration has left healthcare workers in the dark by spreading misinformation, delaying the release of guidelines and best practices developed by public health experts, and is putting the health of the stock market above the health of people,” said Service Employees International Union President Mary Kay Henry. “Nurses, lab techs, environmental service workers, dietary aides, caregivers and doctors in our hospitals, nursing homes and communities are in direct contact with patients, meaning these workers are at high risk of contracting or spreading illnesses. In the face of a health emergency, it is more important than ever to ensure these workers are prepared with the right equipment and ready to take action—not left wondering how to keep themselves, their patients and their families healthy.

“Furthermore, everyone on the frontlines of care—from hospital workers to home care workers—must have affordable healthcare and paid sick time they can count on. No one should have to go to work sick because they are worried about being penalized or missing a day’s pay; and no one should have to postpone or forgo treatment because they can’t afford the bill,” SEIU’s Henry added. “The Trump administration, the CDC and OSHA must put worker and patient safety—not cost reduction —first. As the largest union of healthcare workers, SEIU will continue to push the Trump administration to improve its response. This situation shows the power that working people have when we join together in unions, and it is a good example of why every worker should have the opportunity to join a union—no matter where they work.”

“Nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists and the other workers supporting patient care are at ground zero of this public health crisis, and their voices must be a key part of developing a national plan. Failing to provide adequate protection to healthcare workers increases the risk that those workers themselves will spread the infection and failing to protect them weakens our response,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “Unfortunately, both the CDC and OSHA have done little thus far to engage with workers, and to make sure they’re clear on the protocols for respiratory protection and exposure to infectious disease. That, coupled with these rollbacks, is a troubling sign of our government’s ability to manage this threat this our communities.”

“As frontline caregivers, we are the experts in keeping our patients safe. Not providing adequate protections for healthcare workers not only puts caregivers at risk but puts patients at risk as well,” said SEIU 1199 Executive Vice President Jane Hopkins, RN. “We are calling on the CDC to make the safety of healthcare workers, and thus our patients, the first priority.”

“Nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers stand ready to respond to this crisis, but they should not have to sacrifice their own health, or risk infecting their loved ones.  The CDC has not heard from these frontline workers who will carry out the work, who need assurance from the federal government that they’ll be protected. We are calling on the CDC to rationally target the supply of respirators and use other controls to reduce the risk of infection in healthcare workers, knowing that our professionals are at the highest risk of infection,” said Washington State Nurses Association Executive Director Sally Watkins.

“The federal government should do all in its power to increase the supply of N95 respirators., which includes releasing the national stockpile and targeting that stockpile to areas where the outbreak has already occurred; incentivizing US-based companies to produce more N95s; and promoting the use of powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) in healthcare settings. Healthcare professionals also need training in real time on how to properly use the respirators, with opportunities to ask questions and practice,” WSNA’s Watkins added. “The CDC should also do more to promote other key controls, such as isolation protocols, adequate nurse staffing, delaying unnecessary procedures, telemedicine, and improved air ventilation to reduce the presence of viral particles in the air. This crisis requires vigilance from all of us.”

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Olympic Home Health Contract Vote

Olympic Home Health has reached an agreement The Committee fully recommends a “YES” vote

On February 26, the home health bargaining committee reached a tentative agreement with Management. We won across-the-board increases and market adjustment increases for half of the unit, including nurses and therapists. In addition, we won improvements to current contract language like: grievance process, required per diem work, and preceptor pay. Also due to the implementation of the new WA Paid Family Medical Leave program which everyone has access to 12 weeks of paid leave, OMHH will be changing the short term disability plan. In order to explain the changes precisely, we encourage everyone to attend the ratification vote. The full details of the tentative agreement will be made available on the ratification vote day. If you have any questions please contact your union representative: Aimee Oien (360)662-1981.

Ratification Vote

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

OMHH Port Angeles (inside the conference space) 7am-11am

Olympic Medical Center Sequim (inside the office space ) 7:30am-11:30am

March 6: Join the Health Care Workers Virtual Town Hall

Health Care Workers Virtual Town Hall on Coronavirus/COVID-19

Join state and county public health officials, union leaders, and fellow health care workers to exchange information, learn the latest updates, and understand the unions’ role in ensuring workplace safety. 

TOMORROW, FRIDAY MARCH 6
11:00 am – 12:30 pm

To join the town hall:
Visit https://zoom.us/j/419635168
Or call-in by dialing (408) 638-0968 — Meeting ID: 419 635 168
 
All health care members are invited to participate.
This call is co-hosted by UFCW 21, WSNA, and SEIU 1199NW.

March 5 Update: Message to members from the President and Secretary Treasurer of UFCW 21:

We have reached out to all members today about the recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus, COVID-19, here in Washington State. As many of you have seen in the news or at your workplace, this is a contagious illness with confirmed cases in our area, including at some health care facilities where UFCW 21 members work.

Here’s what we’re doing so far: We have already made comprehensive information requests of our health care employers so we can have a full picture of how they plan to keep people safe at work. This includes information about trainings, protocols, and personal protective equipment. We encourage all health care workers to stay up to date on the Centers for Disease Control’s interim guidance for health care workers to help ensure employers are following these guidelines in your work sites at all times.

We are also regularly in touch with state and local agencies so we can make long-term plans for member safety as this continues, and to advocate for benefits for members who are affected by COVID-19, including those who may be quarantined or otherwise must miss work. We are working together with other health care unions so that we are all sharing information and supporting each other. And we are working directly with other employers as well, to ensure all our members have safe workplaces and access to sick leave during a viral outbreak.

One of the most important ways we can all prevent the spread of this illness even outside health care settings is to stay home from work if you are feeling ill. Our members have fought hard for access to paid sick leave and family leave, and bargained for other leave in our contracts. It is important to know your contract, know the law, and keep yourself, your coworkers, and your community safe. Health care workers and the public will rely on things we have fought for, like access to meal and rest breaks and affordable health care for our families.

If you feel ill, especially if you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, you should contact your health care provider to see if you should go in for care. You can also call the Washington State Department of Health coronavirus hotline at 1-800-525-0127, and press #.

You should reach out to your Shop Steward or Union Representative as soon as you can if you have any questions about your rights, concerns about staying home when you are feeling sick, if you feel your workplace is unsafe or you are asked to do something unsafe at work, if you face any discipline related to the impacts of this outbreak, or if you experience a change in your working conditions. You can also report workplace safety concerns to safetyreport@ufcw21.org. If you do so, please include detailed information about where you work, your safety concerns, and how best to contact you.

Much of our union family is on the front lines of this outbreak, whether it’s providing high-quality patient care, offering compassionate customer service, keeping groceries and supplies stocked for the public, or safely cleaning our workplaces and health facilities. Let’s continue to do so without discrimination. As we are sure you’re all aware, there is no basis for assessing a person’s coronavirus risk just because of a their race, ethnicity, language, or nationality, and stigma will only hurt our ability to deal with this outbreak.

Please know that we are committed to ensuring your safety and dealing with the effects of this outbreak for as long as it lasts. Don’t hesitate to be in touch with your rep with any questions or concerns.

In solidarity,

UFCW 21 President Faye Guenther

UFCW 21 Secretary Treasurer Joe Mizrahi

Macy’s Downtown Closure Severance update

On February 20, we signed an agreement with Macy’s over severance for workers laid-off from the Downtown Seattle location. The agreement includes one week of pay for every full year of service with a cap at 26 weeks. Macy’s has begun sending severance paperwork to associates via mail and email that includes the full language of the agreement as well as general release language. In order to receive your severance check, you will need to sign and return this paperwork within 45 days of receiving it. We retain the ability through our union to challenge any miscalculations or issues with payment of severance.

We are also aware that there were schedule changes during the final weeks of February that resulted in a loss of hours for multiple associates. We have an active grievance to remedy the issue.

If you have any questions about the calculation or payment of your severance or vacation cash out, please contact your union representative, Regan McBride at 206-436-6579

March 3 update for Members on Coronavirus

UFCW 21 President Faye Guenther with PCC members Atsuko and Jeanett in Edmonds to talk about their upcoming bargain and discuss how the Novel Coronavirus outbreak is impacting members at work.

• We are in active communication with state and county officials to get the most up-to-date information we need to help keep members safe.

• We have filed information requests with our health care employers to ensure they are following guidelines to keep members safe at work.

• We are in discussions with other employers about best practices for public health and workplace safety to ensure all members are safe at work.

• We are identifying any areas we need to demand to bargain over the impacts of this outbreak, and are making plans for long-term effects of an outbreak in our workplaces.

• UFCW 21 President Faye Guenther visited members this morning to answer questions and discuss how the coronavirus is impacting workplaces.

Remember: utilize the leave language and health care you’ve bargained for, and contact your Shop Steward or Union Rep for any support you need to stay safe and keep your workplace safe, including if you face any discipline related to the impacts of this outbreak.

More information and resources:

UFCW 21 Update for Members on the Coronavirus Outbreak

UFCW 21 Update for Members on the Coronavirus Outbreak

As you have likely heard in the news, there is an outbreak of respiratory disease (COVID-19) caused by a new coronavirus in several countries, including the United States. King County has some confirmed cases of this disease, including at health care facilities where UFCW 21 members work. You can find updated information about the virus at the Washington State Department of Health and the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you have questions about what is happening in Washington, how the virus is spread and what to do if you have symptoms, please call the Washington State hotline at 1-800-525-0127 and press #. (This hotline can experience high traffic, so try calling back later if it is temporarily unavailable.)

If you are in King County and believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, or if you're a healthcare provider with questions about COVID-19, contact our novel coronavirus call center: 206-477-3977. The call center will be open daily from 8 AM to 7 PM PST.

One of the most important ways we can prevent the spread of this illness is to stay home from work if you are feeling ill. If you have any questions about your right to stay home from work, contact your Union Rep or the Rep of the Day immediately. You can look up your contract and your Union Rep here. Our office number is: 1-800-732-1188.

We are communicating the importance of following the CDC’s public-health guidelines to our employers, which include actively encouraging sick employees to stay home, being flexible with sick leave policy, educating workers about respiratory etiquette and hygiene, providing resources including tissues and hand sanitizer, and routinely cleaning the workplace.

More information is below:

1. Basic Information about the coronavirus

2. What to do if you feel sick

3. What to do if you work in health care (patient care and EVS)

4. What to do if you work with the general public (grocery, retail, pharmacy, others)

5. Information for employers

BASIC INFORMATION:

At this time (March 2, 2020) King County says the risk of exposure is increasing for people who live in our area, though it is still relatively low. Those at elevated risk of exposure are:

• Health care workers caring for patients with COVID-19

• Those who have had close contact with persons with COVID-19

• Travelers returning from affected international locations where community spread is occurring

The symptoms of COVID-19 appear to be fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The CDC has instructions for preventing the spread of this virus, which include staying home when you are sick, avoiding close contact with people who are sick; avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth; frequently washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and more basic prevention measures.

King County Department of Health has prepared a Novel Coronavirus Factsheet in multiple languages:

• English: Novel Coronavirus Fact Sheet (PDF)

• Amharic: ኖቭል ኮሮናቫይረስ (PDF)

• Chinese Simplified: 新型冠状病毒 (PDF)

• Chinese Traditional: 新型冠狀病毒 (PDF)

• Khmer: វីរុសកូរ៉ូណាប្រភេទថ្មី (PDF)

• Korean: 신종 코로나바이러스 (PDF)

• Russian: Новый штамм коронавируса (PDF)

• Somali: Caabuqa Xalfaafka Wadnaha (PDF)

• Spanish: Nuevo coronavirus (PDF)

• Thai: ไวรัสโคโรนาสายพันธุ์ใหม (PDF)

• Vietnamese: Vi-rút Corona Mới (PDF)

If you have further questions, call the state hotline at call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.

IF YOU FEEL SICK:

• If you feel sick, especially if you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, stay home and contact your medical provider or the state Department of Health hotline, 1-800-525-0127, and press #.

• If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus, follow the CDC’s steps to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.

• Most workers in Washington are covered by the state law mandating access to paid sick days, and you may be eligible for more sick leave depending on your union contract.

• We also have a Paid Family Medical Leave program in Washington, so there is much less need to save up sick time for chronic or extended illness or upcoming parental leave.

• If you do not have paid sick leave left but will not be out long enough to qualify for extended leave, work with your manager and your Union Rep to stay home so you can protect yourself, your coworkers, and your community.

IF YOU WORK IN HEALTH CARE:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a coronavirus website with lots of updated guidance for health care workers, including EVS workers, at the CDC’s Coronavirus website. These include:

• What healthcare personnel should know about caring for patients

• Frequently Asked Questions for health care providers

• Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations

If you or a coworker are quarantined, please contact your Union Rep as soon as you can. We are talking with state offices right now about your potential access to benefits during a quarantine.

The Department of Health is reminding everyone that stigma will not help fight this illness—we do not make determinations of risk based on race, nationality, or ethnicity.

If you or a coworker need this information in another language, please contact your Union Rep.

IF YOU WORK WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC

• It is important that you stay home if you feel sick, especially if you experience illness with fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

• Follow the CDC’s guidelines to prevent the spread of this illness.

• Grocery, retail, and pharmacy workers may see or have already seen a run on supplies like hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and bottled water.

IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYER:

The CDC is offering very clear public-health guidelines for employers during this outbreak, including:

• Actively encouraging sick employees to stay home

• Ensuring that your sick leave policies are flexible

• Not requiring a doctor’s note for employees who are sick

• Routinely cleaning all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace

• Emphasizing good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene and providing supplies like tissues and hand sanitizer

Providence St. Joseph and Mt. Carmel Contract Vote

Tentative Agreement Reached Bargaining Team Unanimously Recommends a YES Vote

Mt. Carmel Bargaining Team: Lynette Bell, ER; Rebecca Landers, OB; Kathie Richart, CCU; Lane Thayer, CCU; Lynn Wathne, Surgical Services St. Joseph Bargaining Team: Linda Kline, RN; Maegan George, RN; Tamara Brown, RN

After many months of bargaining we have reached a tentative agreement that includes the following highlights: Wage Increases Each Year Shift Differential Improvements Improvement to Grievance Language Additional Time Off “We look forward to showing everyone the improvement we won in our contract. See you at the Vote meetings” Members in good standing are encouraged to vote.

Ratification Vote

Mt. Carmel Hospital
March 11, 2020 4pm – 8:30pm / St. Catherine Hall
March 12, 2020 10am-2pm / St. Catherine Hall

Providence St. Joseph
March 12, 2020 4:30pm-8:30pm / DEC D across the street from Hospital

UFCW 21 Statement on Amazon’s Newest Cashierless Grocery Store

February 25, 2020
Press Contact: Joe Mizrahi, jmizrahi@ufcw21.org

UFCW 21 Statement on Amazon’s Newest Cashierless Grocery Store

Our customers aren’t clamoring for more checkout robots and fewer human staff around to assist them. In fact, local union grocery PCC removed self-checkout kiosks last year because customers value their relationships with their checkers. We know this industry, like many, is changing as technology changes, but we believe workers should have a say in that change and that new tech should be focused on customer experience, not just corporate profits.

It’s too bad that Amazon continues investing vast sums in technology that is just a solution in search of a problem nobody is facing. Instead of creating overly automated stores, which are unlikely to be economically viable for simple grocery items, Amazon could choose to invest in their workers with fair wages and benefits so workers can support their families and live in our community.

Grocery store workers in our region have fought hard to set high standards in our industry, including the right to bargain over our wages and working conditions. Union grocery store workers here have affordable family health care, a secure pension in retirement, and a voice on the job. We invest in our communities and we’re committed to our customers. And we know our community values good jobs all the way through the food chain. Amazon, on the other hand, is most notorious in the industry for unilaterally slashing health benefits for thousands of Whole Foods workers last year and having their workplaces constantly compared to dystopian science fiction.

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. When workers are ready to form a union, give UFCW 21 a call.

Central Washington Hospital - Tech Residual Unit Reaches Tentative Agreement with Management

Join us in Voting “YES” to be a part of our Union Contract! Everyone is encouraged to attend and see where they will be placed on the wage schedule.

Vote Time
Wednesday March 4
10:00AM - 12:00PM
Conference Room D

Cascade Valley Hospital - Proposal Vote Scheduled

We will be going back to the bargaining table in early March! All members are encouraged to come and have your voice heard on your top priorities at the bargaining table.

Vote Times
Cascade Valley Hospital
330 S Stillaguamish Ave, Arlington, WA 98223

2/25
3pm to 8pm
Baker Room

2/26
6am to 11am
Whitehorse Training Room

Sanders and Medicare for All Could Improve Workers’ Power

Sanders and Medicare for All Could Improve Workers’ Power

Faye Guenther and Sue Wilmot

It is not surprising that a majority of democratic primary voters have identified Health Care as their top issue in the upcoming election. One of the most significant drivers of working people’s economic trouble is health care costs and related stress. This is central to why UFCW 21, the state’s largest private sector union, has endorsed both Medicare for All as well as Senator Bernie Sanders for President.

There are four key reasons why a large union, with many members who have negotiated strong health care plans for themselves, supports Medicare for All.

One: Employers try to get rid of our union-negotiated health plans or increase the costs nearly every time we go into contract negotiations. A few years back, 30,000 Puget Sound-area union grocery store workers nearly went on strike to prevent their employers from cutting health plans for workers and their families. While this was an immense show of worker power and community support, grocery store workers were fighting to keep what we had, not make the proactive improvements we needed. This dynamic is all too common, where health care coverage is a major obstacle during bargaining. Medicare for All would remove that challenge, and we as workers could focus our negotiations on other essential topics, like wages and working conditions.

Two: Linking a worker’s health care to their job, as is often the case for union workers with health care, makes us too dependent on our employer and limits our freedom to move from one job to another. Even now, when there is very low unemployment, worries about losing health care coverage can cause us to stay at one job instead of moving to another that would be better for our career, pay higher wages, or work better with our family’s schedule. Medicare for All would solve that problem.

Three: If all workers had access to quality, affordable health care coverage, independent of their employment, it would remove one of the reasons why workers without a union are fearful about trying to organize one in their workplaces. Why? They wouldn’t have to stress about the very real risk of not being able to afford coverage if their employer retaliated against them for their unionizing efforts. A bully employer might try to intimidate you out of building a union at work, but those threats would no longer concern your family’s access to health care coverage. Medicare for All would provide insurance for everyone as a universal right, as is the case in almost every other nation on earth.

Four: By passing Medicare for All, we would see a national shift in the inflation of health care costs. We at UFCW 21 have shown that a smartly run health plan can avoid the runaway cost increases that have become all too common for many working people. The health plan we have negotiated for tens of thousands of our members has avoided large increases in premiums, out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, prescriptions and other health care costs by negotiating with providers on a massive scale and incentivizing workers to be more invested in their own health. For the economy as a whole, when our nation stops spending hundreds of billions of dollars a year to pay for increasing health care costs that make insurers, health care conglomerates, and drug companies rich, we as a nation will be able to spend those resources on health for the many instead of wealth for the few.

We applaud Senator Sanders and our representative Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal for their long-time support of Medicare for All and feel their records show a commitment to doing this policy right for working people in our country.

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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.

Faye Guenther is President of UFCW 21. Sue Wilmot is a long-time UFCW 21 member and workplace leader at Safeway.

Macy’s - Downtown Closure Bargaining Update 2/14/20

Today we met with the employer with our bargaining director in attendance. Macy’s has not moved from their original proposal and has given us their last, best, and final proposal that is less than the Northgate and Everett agreements:

• Cap on severance at 26 weeks—Northgate/Everett severance was capped at 52 weeks

• Macy’s is only willing to cover the employer portion of COBRA for 3 months—Macy’s paid 100% of COBRA for 3 months at Northgate/Everett

We’re meeting with our legal team to explore all options to secure a fair severance for the Downtown Macy’s workers.

If you have questions, please contact your union representative, Regan McBride, at 206-436-6579

In Solidarity, your Member Bargaining Team, Susan Hedman, Patrick Keating

PCC Bargaining Update: Meet our Bargaining Team

On Monday, February 3 our PCC Bargaining Team met together for the first time. From the hundreds of bargaining surveys we received from members to set our bargaining priorities, by a wide margin, members are most concerned with better wages, secure retirement, dependable health care, increasing safety and training in our stores, and raising transparency and worker voices in the governance of PCC as a co-op. As a team we are committed to negotiating a contract we all can be proud of. Our next negotiation sessions will take place in early March. Stay involved, be sure we have your most updated information to stay connected and informed throughout the bargaining process.