Mental Health Resources

Lots of people are in distress right now. If you, a family member, coworker, or friend is in need of emotional or mental health support, there are many places to reach out for help. Part of belonging to a union is being there for each other in difficult times, and we hope everyone can get help whenever they need it. 

If you are in crisis: Please reach out to the Suicide Lifeline: 800-273-8255 (800-799-4889 TTY) 

Other resources for people in a crisis: 

• Teen Link: 866-833-6546 

• Crisis Text Line: text “HEAL” to 741741 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (includes Spanish-speaking support): 888-628-9454  

• Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, Press 1 

• LGBT Youth Suicide Hotline: 866-488-7386 

• I’m Hurting Crisis Chat service: www.imhurting.org

• If you or a family member needs emotional or mental health support, or treatment resources for substance use, please consider calling the Washington Recovery Help Line at 1-866-789-1511. 

WASHINGTON STATE’S COVID-19 SUPPORT HOTLINE FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING STRESS:

• Call “Washington Listens” at: 1-833-681-0211, available Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. TTY and language access services are available.

Tele-Health Mental Health Options from the Sound Health and Wellness Trust:

• If you are on the PPO Plan: You can access Doctor on Demand’s team of licensed psychiatrists and psychologists for emotional support over the phone, fully paid for by the Trust. Click here to sign up for Doctor on Demand. 

• If you are on the Kaiser Permanente Plan: You can call the Mental Health Access Center at 1-888-287-2680 to schedule a phone or video visit, and a trained clinician will help match you with a counselor or other specialist. 

Other Resources for You and Your Family’s Well-Being 

• The state of Washington has compiled a long list of hotlines, organizations, and other tools for people feeling sad, anxious, angry, or scared. Click here to find the full list and connect with resources you need here. 

• Our list of resources for workers has links to many of the resources listed here as well as help with food support, childcare, housing, domestic violence, immigration, and more. Click here for our list of Resources for Workers During the COVID-19 Outbreak. 

Read Washington State’s New Reopening Guidelines and Learn the Requirements for Employers and How to Enforce Them at Your Workplace

Washington State has now released guidelines and requirements for a county-by-county reopening of our state. Each county in the state is expected to move through these phases as they meet the requirements for moving to the next phase, based on an assessment of COVID-19 disease activity, health care system readiness, testing capacity, the ability to investigate and trace cases, and the ability to protect high-risk people. 

Read the state’s guidelines and the four phases of reopening here 

Importantly, there are requirements for employers during all four phases designed to keep people safe at work. No matter what phase your county is in, your employer is required to: 

• Maintain six-foot physical distancing requirements for employees and patrons 

• Adopt other prevention measures such as barriers to block sneezes and coughs when physical distancing is not possible for a particular job task 

• Provide you with and require you to wear cloth facial coverings (unless your exposure dictates an even higher level of protection, or you work alone without interacting with people, or you are or must communicate with someone deaf or hard of hearing who relies on visual language cues) – This requirement begins on June 8 

• Allow you to wear your own facial coverings at work as long as it meets the minimum requirements 

• Identify and provide you with adequate personal protective equipment in accordance with Labor & Industries requirements and specific COVID-19 standards 

• Limit close interactions with patrons while providing services 

• Provide adequate sanitation and personal hygiene for workers, vendors, and patrons 

• Ensure you have access to hand washing facilities so you can wash your hands frequently with soap and running water 

• Ensure frequent cleaning and disinfection of the business, particularly of high-touch surfaces 

• Follow Governor Inslee’s proclamation protecting high-risk workers – Find a link to that proclamation here (Note: This proclamation is set to expire on June 12, but we expect it will be extended by the governor) 

• Educate workers about COVID-19 in a language you best understand 

• Have a plan for dealing with workers who are sick, including requiring COVID-19 positive employees to stay home and potentially restricting employees who were directly exposed to that employee 

• Follow CDC cleaning guidelines to deep clean after reports of an employee with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 illness – this may involve the closure of a business until it can be properly disinfected 

• Implement other practices appropriate for specific types of businesses on a case-by-case basis, as directed by federal, state and local public health and workplace safety officials, such as screening of employees for illness and exposures upon work entry, requiring non-cash transactions, etc. 

• Implement any health and safety requirements developed specifically for your industry, comply with COVID-19 worksite-specific safety practices, and keep a safe and healthy facility in accordance with state and federal law 

If your employer does not follow all of these regulations all the time, you can report them for not keeping you, your coworkers, and your community safe. You can file a safety report with the union by emailing your name, work location, and safety issue to safetyreport@ufcw21.org. You can also contact the state’s Department of Safety and Health call center at 1-800-423-7233 or via e-mail to adag235@lni.wa.gov, and you can report a lack of social distancing via online form here. 

Our state also reminds everyone that it is against the law for any employer to take any adverse action such as firing, demotion, or otherwise retaliate against a worker they suspect of exercising safety and health rights such as raising safety and health concerns to their employer, participating in union activities concerning safety and health matters, filing a safety and health complaint or participating in a DOSH investigation. Workers have 30 days to file a complaint with L&I DOSH and/or with Federal OSHA.  

A message from UFCW 21 President Faye Guenther and other UFCW 21 leaders on the killing of George Floyd, our nation’s history of racism, and our union’s commitment to solidarity over white supremacy

A message from UFCW 21 President Faye Guenther and other UFCW 21 leaders on the killing of George Floyd, our nation’s history of racism, and our union’s commitment to solidarity over white supremacy  

“Please, I can’t breathe.” George Floyd, seconds before his murder  

“As the tears run down my face, as I watched this man die, I ask myself, when will this end?” Eleanor Knight, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President and Shop Steward  

 “Such a shame. Hundreds of years of dehumanizing black people. I have not been this upset in about 20 years. Every time I see this on TV raw emotions overcome me, and nothing but tears continually roll down my face.” Sam Dancy, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President and Shop Steward 

“As a mother of biracial children, I sobbed. I could not even stop crying when I saw what the police did to this man. I fear for the safety of my own biracial children.”  Carrie Ann Perry, UFCW 21 Member 

We are filled with grief as we cope with two epidemics and a failed state response to both. One is a global pandemic that has killed over 100,000 of our brothers, sisters, and siblings here in the US. COVID-19, a disease that could have been minimized, but instead was allowed to devastate our nation, is highlighting the cracks in our foundation and illustrating the gross racial and economic inequalities that plague us. The second epidemic is the deep stain of racism rooted in the founding of our country and built into the fabric of our institutions.  

The widespread and institutional racism and violence against Black people in this nation goes back over 400 years. It is present and on the rise now, in 2020. This is outrageous. The list is long: police brutality, voter disenfranchisement, racism in hiring, health care, education. We stand for justice for Black people who have been murdered as a result of racist policies, practices, and actors. We lift up our collective voice and say their names: Emmett Till. Philando Castile. Sandra Bland. Michael Brown. Tamir Rice. Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery. George Floyd. The list could fill a book. We stand for justice for all Black people in this country. 

When communities of color are being repeatedly traumatized, when we see racist acts of hate and violence on full display played out online and splashed across televisions and newspapers, we remember that labor’s power comes from our ability to act collectively. Fear undermines our collective power. Racism undermines our collective power. Racism is the enemy of the working class. Racism is the enemy of organized labor. In acts of solidarity, we can gain hope, even where we may disagree. Martin Luther King said, “There comes a time when silence is betrayal.” For working people, there is no more time to remain silent. 

Please join with us in a movement for justice that we of United Food & Commercial Workers Local 21 are committed to help to build. We need your voices, your stories about the injustices that you have experienced and resisted, and we need your engagement in the continuing struggle. 

“I see you, I hear you, I mourn with you. Black Lives Matter.” Jeannette Randall, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President   

Share your voice:

Faye Guenther, UFCW 21 President 

Joe Mizrahi, UFCW 21 Secretary-Treasurer 

Fredel Albritton, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Kyong Barry, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Gregg Barney, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Maggie Breshears, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Greg Brooks, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Patricia Brown, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Christy Cyr, UFCW 21 Member

Sam Dancy, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Amy Dayley Angell, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Robin Grier, UFCW 21 Member

Tashia Hicks-Templeton, UFCW 21 Member

Eleanor Knight, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Atsuko Koseki, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President 

Mohamed N Muhidin, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Carrie Anne Perry, UFCW 21 Member

Jennifer Parker, UFCW 21 Member

Wil Peterson, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Cliff Powers, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Jeannette Randall, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Rob Shauger, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Scott Shiflett, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Chuck Svac, UFCW 21 Member

Richard Waits, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Sue Wilmot, UFCW 21 Executive Vice President

Zion, UFCW 21 Member

Conifer St. Elizabeth & St. Joseph - Standing Together

Members at St. Joseph met with Management this past week to continue making progress towards securing a fair contract. While some progress was made on language issues, the fight for fair wages is just starting! We have your backs at the bargaining table, now let us stand together and finish strong!

“Negotiations are moving too slowly. We feel disrespected that Conifer is not taking this process seriously. The managers at the table are mostly from out of state and are out of touch with the daily issues we face at work. We had to fight for bargaining dates in May and continue to fight for more dates in June. Let’s show them that we are serious and united!”

Terri Ross, Bargaining Team Member

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We have a plan to win and we need you to help us execute it! Join us on Thursday, June 4 @ 5pm for our virtual CAT meeting using Zoom.

Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed and texted out.

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Have you signed the petition and shared your story?

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Next Bargaining Dates
St. Joseph: 6/18, 7/7-7/8
St. Elizabeth: 6/24-6/25

June 1: Telephone Town Hall Calls

Join fellow union members for this week’s 

UFCW 21 Live Telephone Town Halls

Monday, June 1 

6:30pm 

Call-in number: 888-652-2664 

Meeting ID: 4865 

These meetings are an opportunity to come together to discuss workplace safety, ongoing campaigns for hazard pay, questions about things like childcare, unemployment, or mental health, and anything else going on in your workplace or community as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Join us by picking up the phone when we call you between 6:30 and 6:40pm on Monday, or you can call in yourself with the call-in information above. 

And we will be joined again by our partners at Teamsters 38. 

SUBJ: You’re invited: Mon. 6/1 at 5:30pm Union Tele-Town Hall Meeting 

Special Public Sector Telephone Town Hall Call 

Monday, June 1 

5:30pm 

Call-in number: 888-652-0386 

Meeting ID: 4864 

These meetings are an opportunity to come together to discuss workplace safety, ongoing campaigns for hazard pay, questions about things like childcare, unemployment, or mental health, and anything else going on in your workplace or community as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Join us by picking up the phone when we call you between 5:30 and 5:40pm on Monday, or you can call in yourself with the call-in information above. 

We will also be joined by workplace leaders from the Washington Public Employees Association UFCW 135. 

Health Care 

Monday, June 1 

7:30pm 

Call-in number: 888-544-2310 

Meeting ID: 4866 

These meetings are an opportunity to come together to discuss workplace safety, ongoing campaigns for hazard pay, questions about things like childcare, unemployment, or mental health, and anything else going on in your workplace or community as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Join us by picking up the phone when we call you between 7:30 and 7:40pm on Monday, or you can call in yourself with the call-in information above.

OTHER UPDATES: 

Washington State Reopening Non-emergency and Elective Medical/Dental Procedures 

As of May 17, health care and dental facilities are able to offer non-emergency and elective procedures only if they are able to meet the state’s safety criteria, including providing appropriate protective equipment for workers and patients and having a formal employee feedback process. Please review the information in this order and if you have new ideas about how we can help all members understand and enforce these safety guidelines, be in touch. 

• UFCW 21 message about this new order, including safety criteria and link to the governor’s proclamation 

• Report any safety issues you are facing or share ideas for how to better enforce our safety at work: safetyreport@ufcw21.org  

Swain's General Store - Contract Vote Scheduled

We will be holding an online vote meeting on Sunday, June 7 @ 6:30pm to answer any questions about the tentative agreement. Details for joining will be mailed out with the vote instructions.

We will send out information soon with more details of the changes in your new contract and how the mail-in voting process works. To review a copy of the full legal document with all changes please visit the link provided in the body of the email below.

View the Document

Upcoming Online Vote Meeting
Sunday, June 7 • 6:30PM • Details for joining will be mailed out!

Central Co-Op - UFCW Locals 21 & 367 Reopen Healthcare Benefit Bargaining & Instacart Grievance Update

Healthcare

As many of you are aware, recently the employer attempted to unilaterally implement healthcare insurance that would have required all Central Co-op employees to switch to an HMO only plan that could limit what doctors you could choose to see. In previous discussions between UFCW locals 21 and 367 and Central Co-op, the Employer had informed the Union that the Co-op was “staying with Kaiser, so that staff don’t have to change doctors.”  

When workers were told of the change, they contacted their stewards and union representatives, and took action to hold the Employer accountable for not bargaining this change. After hearing from their workers, Central Co-op apologized for the “oversite,” extended the current benefit plan through the end of June, and agreed to return to negotiations with the Union locals. This will make sure everyone’s benefits are maintained during the resumed negotiations.

Previously the Union locals had discussed a PPO plan with Central Co-op that maintained benefits levels and out of pocket costs to workers. That plan is back on the table currently.  We will update you as soon as there is more news and details of what healthcare options we have.

Instacart Grievance

On May 7, 2020 UFCW 21 filed a grievance over Instacart shoppers coming into Central Co-op to fill orders, this is a violation of your union contract. Previously UFCW 21 grocery workers had exclusively done that work.  Recently the Employer sent out a communication to workers saying that the grievance was to “eliminate Instacart” at Central Co-op.  That is just not accurate, the grievance was filed to protect the work of Co-op employees by preventing leadership from outsourcing it to an outside corporation. Any information union members can provide about Instacart shoppers, in the store should be passed on to your shop steward or union representative to help protect our work.

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If you have questions or concerns make sure to contact your shop steward or call your union representative.

Seattle • Ariana Davis
206-436-6586

Tacoma • Anne-Marie Cavanaugh
253-906-8273

Conifer St. Elizabeth & St. Joseph - Action Planned

The St. Elizabeth Bargaining Team met with Management to continue progress on securing a fair contract on May 19, and the St. Joseph Bargaining Team were at the table on May 20 and 21 for the first two bargaining sessions. We have made some progress but are still working to resolve the issues that matter most to us all. We will have a full report at the CAT meeting scheduled for May 26.

“We had a difficult day today, but we remained strong on the issues that mattered most to us, and we are committed to seeing this through. We have an action planned that will show Management we are united and ready to fight. Join us for the CAT meeting at 5PM on May 26 for more details.”

Colleen McKee, Bargaining Team Member

“I look forward to working alongside my fellow members to secure a contract that is fair and competitive with the market.”

Josie Talavera-Berg, Bargaining Team Member

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Join our upcoming Zoom CAT meeting - MAY 26 • 5PM - 6PM

Have more questions about negotiations or the action planned? Come ask the Bargaining team!

RSVP here to receive the call-in details.

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Have you signed the petition with our demands?

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Upcoming bargaining dates for St. Joseph: 5/27 and 5/28

Harrison Service & Dietary - Fighting for a Fair Contract

We met with Management on May 19 and made progress on outstanding issues such as ensuring new hires receive adequate training, addressing harassment in the workplace, and reassurances that our contract will withstand any future mergers. 

We remain apart on wages and are still fighting for wage increases that will both retain workers and attract new hires by having increases in every year of our contract. We are committed to fighting for a fair contract that invests in our future and ensures that wages at Harrison Medical Center are competitive with other employers in the region, that we have reliable costs for our healthcare and are treated with dignity and respect at work. 

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Rep Ryan Degouveia @ 360-662-1989.

“We, the essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, deserve a fair contract with wage increases that invest in our future.”

Harrison Service & Dietary Bargaining Team

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Have you signed the Petition for our fight for a fair contract?

EB Management - Contract Ratified

Zenith American Solutions - Contract Ratified

WA State Reopening Non-emergency and Elective Medical/Dental Procedures

Today Governor Inslee announced that Washington State will be allowing nonemergency medical and dental procedures to begin, provided that the facilities performing these procedures meet certain criteria. If facilities cannot meet all the criteria “in good faith and with reasonable clinical judgment,” they cannot perform non-urgent care. The proclamation is retroactive to midnight, May 17, 2020, meaning this care can begin immediately if facilities are able to meet the state’s safety criteria. 

Facilities and practices must assess the COVID-19 status in their communities in collaboration with local health jurisdictions, and have a plan to expand or contract care to accommodate COVID-19 surges and to meet all the requisite criteria for a safe expansion of care. The criteria for expanding non-urgent procedures include: 

• Following the Department of Health’s personal protective equipment (PPE) conservation guidance, which will be regularly reviewed and updated by the DOH, as published on the DOH website 

• Having a formal employee feedback process for direct input regarding care delivery processes, PPE, and technology 

• Implementing policies for non-punitive sick leave that adhere to CDC’s return-to-work guidance 

• Maintaining strict social distancing in patient scheduling, check-in process, positioning, and movements within a facility 

• Using on-site fever screening and self-reporting of COVID-19 symptom screening for all patients, visitors, and staff 

• Continuously monitoring capacity in the system to ensure there are resources to address potential surges of COVID-19  

There is lots of additional criteria for reopening, but we want to reiterate what the governor made very clear: Facilities must have appropriate personal protective equipment for their workers and patients. If they aren’t able to procure enough PPE, they cannot open. 

Read the full document and familiarize yourself with all the guidelines here. 

We know many health care and dental workers are facing furloughs or lost hours, and many people in our community have put off getting medical and dental care during this pandemic, so we are glad to see the state looking at a safe reopening of health care facilities and expansion of procedures. But we join with other health care unions in strongly emphasizing the importance of adequate PPE and other worker and patient safety protocols. If health care workers are not safe, the health care system cannot function. 

In the coming days we will be creating resources for health care and dental workers to use when assessing their workplace’s compliance with the governor’s newest order. If you suspect your workplace is not complying with the state’s orders, you are asked to do something you feel is unsafe, or you have questions or concerns about your or your coworkers’ safety: please contact your Shop Steward or Union Rep as soon as you can, or email safetyreport@ufcw21.org with your name, workplace, safety concern, and contact info. 

May 18: Telephone Town Hall Calls Call-in Information

UFCW 21 Telephone Town Hall 

Monday, May 18 at 6:30 PM 

Call-in Phone Number: 888-652-5403 

Meeting ID: 4787 

Call in at 6:30 pm to join fellow UFCW 21 members in asking questions, sharing ideas, and hearing directly from one another on what we’re all doing to face the COVID-19 crisis, get the support we need, and stand up for working people. 

Health Care UFCW 21 Telephone Town Hall 

Monday, May 18 at 7:30 PM 

Call-in Phone Number: 866-304-0621 

Meeting ID: 4788 

Call in at 7:30 pm to join fellow UFCW 21 members in asking questions, sharing ideas, and hearing directly from one another on what we’re all doing to face the COVID-19 crisis, get the support we need, and stand up for working people. 

Under Pressure, Kroger Offers New One-Time Bonuses, We Continue to Stand Up for Our $2/hour Hero Pay

Since Kroger (parent company of Fred Meyer and QFC) told us they plan to eliminate our $2/hour hero bonus on May 17, workers have been stepping up to take action, alongside workers at other UFCW locals around the country. Hundreds of UFCW 21 members spoke up to share what it’s really like to work in grocery stores during a pandemic, and we got our customers and allies to contact the corporate office and demand they make our stores safer and don’t cut our pay.  

On Friday we held rallies with community allies outside two Fred Meyer stores in North Bellingham and Burien calling on Kroger not to cut hero pay, and other UFCW locals held actions as well. After these actions, Kroger announced they will be paying out a $400 bonus to full-time workers/$200 bonus to part-time workers. We will keep up the pressure on Kroger, as they have a lot more work to do to show essential workers that we are valued and safe at work. But this decision shows we can have an impact when we take action together. Eli from North Bellingham Fred Meyer, says: “The fight isn’t over by a long shot, but today’s victory feels very good!” 

We continue to fight for hazard pay for all workers during this public health crisis, and for safe workplaces for everyone. 

TAKE ACTION: 

• Share this link to contact Kroger’s corporate office with your friends & family 

MEDIA COVERAGE: 

• KIRO 7 News: Fred Meyer, QFC employees to lose hazard pay 

• KUOW Radio: Kroger offers ‘thank you’ bonus after employees protest end of hazard pay 

• Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Kroger to cut 'hero pay' for workers amid pandemic; announces one-time 'thank you pay' bonuses 

• Q13 Fox: Kroger offers Fred Meyer workers extra pay after outcry 

Update on 2020 Election of UFCW Local 21 Officers

Dear UFCW 21 Members,

The UFCW 21 Officer Elections Nomination and Petition Notice stated a schedule that had both telephonic/virtual Zoom and in-person nominations meetings. In order to comply with the update to the Governors Stay Home Stay Healthy Order, which included Phases to reopening, I am cancelling all the in-person nomination meetings on June 2, 2020 at 3 pm. Per the notice, this meeting is now going to be held through a telephonic/virtual Zoom meeting at 3 pm in lieu of the in-person meetings being held at UFCW 21 offices in Mount Vernon, Seattle, Silverdale, and Spokane.

Call-In information for this call is listed on the UFCW 21 Notice of Nominations & Elections for the 2020 Election of UFCW Local 21 Officers mailer.

If you have any questions in regards to this update or any other questions about the Officer Elections please call me directly at (206) 436-6571.

Thank you,

Maria Milliron
UFCW 21 Election Chairperson

CHI Harrison - Bargaining Continues

“Please join us for our first virtual Contract Action Team meeting next Tuesday May 19 @ 7:30pm!”

Harrison Medical Center Pro-Tech Bargaining Team

CHI Harrison Medical Center Service & Dietary + Pro-Tech Contract Action Team Meeting
Tuesday, May 19 - 7:30PM
RSVP to get call join info 

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PRO-TECH UPDATE

Your Bargaining Team met with Management again on May 5, 12, and 14. We have come to agreements with the employer to improve language regarding schedule posting, promotions, new hire orientation, and safety.

However, we are still fighting the employer to protect our Union healthcare, maintain successorship language that has protected our contract through recent mergers, create a member driven emergency preparedness team, and fair wage increases that keep Harrison Medical Center market competitive. Our next bargaining dates are June 5, 12, and 14.

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Rep Aimee Oien @ 360-662-1981.

BARGAINING TEAM: Judy Shoesmith, Kain Mcleod, Connie Baker, Rob Shauger, Don Szabo, Ona Burkett, Sonja Hammes

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SERVICE & DIETARY UPDATE

Your Bargaining Team met with Management on May 8 and achieved improvements on schedule postings, new hire orientation, safety, and won a new short-term personal leave benefit.

However, we continue to fight Management to maintain successorship language that has protected our contract through recent mergers, ensure adequate training for new hires, job positing transparency, create a member driven emergency preparedness team, and fair wage increases that keep Harrison Medical Center market competitive. Our next bargaining date is May 19. 

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Rep Ryan Degouveia @ 360-662-1989.

BARGAINING TEAM: Bobby Harris, Susan Mayer

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Have you signed the Petition for our fight for a fair contract?

Masks for UFCW 21 Members

Our member-led executive board knows firsthand how hard it is for working people during this COVID-19 pandemic, and we are so proud of UFCW 21 members everywhere for serving our communities, stepping up to help each other and keep each other safe, and caring for our families and loved ones during a public health crisis. 

When the CDC released recommendations that we should all be wearing cloth masks in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the board moved to purchase cloth barrier masks for our fellow UFCW 21 members. We contracted with a local union company to produce these masks. 

Masks are now arriving, and Shop Stewards are distributing them to coworkers. We will continue to distribute masks as more of them arrive. As we have throughout this pandemic, we are still fighting for everyone’s employer to provide them adequate protective equipment at work, the hazard pay we deserve for the work we are doing, and support for everyone facing the economic impacts of the pandemic. 

Thank you to every UFCW 21 member. We are union strong! 

Members take action, Governor responds with mandated customer limits and other protections

Grocery employers’ failure to enforce social distancing requirements in their workplaces has led to member actions across the state. UFCW 21 has been advocating for stricter limits on customer counts backed by members’ dramatic stories, testimonials, and petitions. Fred Meyer workers have been especially concerned about the issue of customer counts because they say the company’s self-imposed limit of 50% was inadequate to begin with and rarely enforced. 

“We have one of the busiest stores and no one is seeing the customer numbers drop. I make homemade masks for free for my co-workers because I want us safer. The top treats us like numbers instead of people.  We have names, we are important, treat us like we are your family and respect us."  -S., Fred Meyer 

“There needs to be a limit on the customers allowed in the store at a time, masks and gloves should be required, and social distancing enforced.”  -Bella, Fred Meyer 

Governor Jay Inslee has responded to frontline grocery workers’ safety concerns by requiring retail stores to limit customer counts to 30% of maximum occupancy during Phase 2 of the State’s Covid-19 response plan. 

Thanks to workers speaking up, the state’s new rules include: 

• Limiting store occupancy to 30% of maximum building occupancy or lower.

• Distance markers to help maintain 6-foot social distancing in lines both inside and outside the store.

• Conspicuous signage at entrances and throughout the store alerting staff and customers to the required occupancy limits, six-foot physical distancing guidance, and policy on face coverings.

• Sneeze guards or other barriers wherever there’s potential interaction between employees that could be less than 6 feet.

• Frequently cleaning and sanitizing, especially high-touch areas.

• Maintaining minimum six-foot separation between all employees and customers in all interactions at all times.

• When that’s not feasible, they must use other prevention measures such as barriers or staggered breaks and shifts.

• Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, face shields and face masks as appropriate or required to employees for the activity being performed. 

• Ensuring frequent and adequate hand washing with adequate maintenance of supplies. 

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Read the state’s full guidance here.

If your employer is not following these guidelines, you can report them directly to the State of Washington for violating the governor’s order. 

UFCW 21 Political Director Samantha Grad said the voice of frontline workers was essential in moving the Governor to action: “It only happened because UFCW 21 members were sharing what it’s like in their stores and why it’s dangerous for workers and customers. We are grateful to Governor Inslee for listening to workers and taking action to protect our communities.” 

Tell Kroger CEO Don't Cut Worker Pay

New company filing today: Kroger (parent of QFC and Fred Meyer) paid CEO Rodney McMullen $21.1 million last year – 789 times more than the median employee and a 75% increase over the year before.*

Now McMullen says the company will cut workers’ pay on May 17th -- eliminating the $2/hour “Hero Pay” bonus it coughed up beginning in April. 

Tell Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen: Don’t cut grocery worker pay during a pandemic! 

*Source: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/56873/000114036120011379/nc10008523x1_def14a.htm

Median worker pay in 2019: $26,790 

We wanted to let our customers and community know: As grocery store workers, we are proud of the work we do every day to get people the food and supplies they need. But our jobs have become more demanding, dangerous, and stressful during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SEND A MESSAGE TO KROGER THAT YOU STAND WITH FRED MEYER AND QFC WORKERS FOR SAFE STORES AND AGAINST PAY CUTS!

We're exposed to hundreds or thousands of people each week, which means an elevated risk of bringing COVID-19 home to our loved ones. We need the executives at Fred Meyer and QFC to keep workers and customers safe. We need meaningful limits on the number of shoppers entering stores. And now their parent company Kroger says it will take away our $2/hour “Hero Pay” on May 17th – even though the added burdens and risks of working through COVID-19 remain.

King's Command - Contract Vote Scheduled

After months of negotiating with King’s Command Foods, we have reached a tentative agreement for a six (6) month contract extension that includes improvements to the wages through the life of the contract extension.

Wage increases for every single union member and retro pay were secured. No takeaways!

Voting will be by mail-in ballot! We will mail you the voting materials to the address we have on file.  Ballots must be returned by Friday May 29, 2020 in order to be counted.  In order to make sure your ballot makes it to the right place, please confirm your address.

We will send out information soon with more details of the changes in your new contract and how the voting process works. To review a copy of the full legal document with all changes to the contract please visit the link provided below.

Read the Document

JOIN OUR ONLINE VOTE MEETINGS:
Drop-in on Tuesday, May 26 to ask any questions about the tentative agreement:
5:00PM – 6:30PM
Details for joining will be mailed out with the vote instructions.