Summit Pacific Medical Center - Bargaining Begins
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“We met with Management and presented our first proposal. We’re encouraged to hear back from them next week, and we look forward to reaching a fair and equitable contact that benefits ourselves, our families, and our community.”
— Our Bargaining Team: Angi Swinhart—RN (Below Left), Clinic; Kristen Frazer—Registration Specialist (Below Right); Barbara Ford—ED HUC (Below Center); Jeff Redmond—ED Tech; Revell McClanahan—LPN, Clinic; Alicia Wood—RN, ED
It’s going to take all of us to win fair wages, benefits, and treatment at work. Please join our private Facebook group or follow us on Instagram!
Instagram: @ufcw21ofspmc
Private Facebook Group:
UFCW 21 - Summit Pacific Medical Center
The next bargaining session will be Friday, July 31.
The Contract Action Team will meet the following week, on August 5 at 7PM. Please join us on 8/5 to learn more and offer input!
Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
/July 26, 2020 is the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The history of the ADA is one of people stepping up to fight for their rights, speak out about what they need, and stand together for change, and we are honored to celebrate this milestone in workers’ rights. As the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission put it:
The ADA story began years before its enactment, when people with disabilities and their allies began opposing unfair barriers that kept people with disabilities excluded from vast swaths of life, including joining and thriving in America’s workforce. This movement brought existing inequalities to the attention of those in all levels of government, the press, and the American people.
The ADA continued protections for people beyond what was fought for and won in the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which protects workers from employment discrimination based on race, sex, color, religion or national origin. Bold leaders in the disability rights movement have added to the quality of life not just for people with disabilities, but for all workers. We hope to continue this legacy, now more than ever.
Hear from UFCW 21 member Shayla, a Medical Assistant at Skagit Valley Hospital, about workplace accommodations under the ADA:
I’m a proud UFCW 21 member, and I have Autism Spectrum Disorder. I was diagnosed 7 years ago by the University of Washington Autism Center. I think there’s a lot more people on the spectrum than most people realize, and people being diagnosed later in life don’t always know that accommodations are available.
I’ve utilized ADA accommodations in the workplace. I’m pretty high-functioning, but there are some things that I really did need. I’m really sensitive to sound and visual distraction—people that have autism, it’s almost like we have weird superpowers. I’ve exercised my rights to request quieter working conditions, noise-canceling headphones, moving my desk, getting a shade over a light that was triggering migraines.
I have a different learning style. But I have to work, and I try to make things really clear when I hire on. I’m able to get accommodations when I request them, but I’ve really had to fight at multiple employers to get what I need. I think it took me 25 emails one time to actually get that shade over my light, and I ended up buying my own headphones. I’ve experienced discrimination. I think a lot of employers don’t want to have to do this stuff.
I think what the ADA accomplished was great, but I wish it was even stronger. Pushing for even better education and enforcement of the ADA would be tremendous. We need to get out there and let people know that accommodations for disabilities are a resource that we are legally entitled to in the workplace, and we should not be afraid or discriminated against for asking for accommodations.
My advice to workers with disabilities is: Don’t give up! Stand firm. It’s the law. It is our basic right in the workplace to get the accommodations we need.
This video from Disability Rights Washington is a great introduction to what accommodations at work can look like for people with disabilities, and how to get reasonable accommodations in your workplace. They don’t mention it in the video, but we encourage you to talk to your Union Rep for help at any point in this process—requesting, negotiating, or filing a claim.
Ways to Celebrate this Anniversary of the ADA
Shaila Jackson at the “capitol crawl” in 1990, photo by tim olin
Check out ADA 30 In Color from the Disability Visibility Project, a series of original essays on the past, present, and future of disability rights and justice by disabled BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) writers, and attend the #ADAInColor online event (7/26 4pm PT)
Watch the Seattle Channel’s special programming: Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Watch the show Vote for Access, which asks the question: “If people with disabilities voted at the same rate as non-disabled voters, 2 million more votes would be cast. What is getting in the way of disabled voters exercising their rights?”
Learn best practices for Digital Accessibility from local organization Rooted in Rights — we’re working on implementing these in our own digital communications!
Read The ADA at 30 from New Mobility magazine, including the history of the “Captiol Crawl” action (pictured left)
Follow the hashtags #ADA30, #ThanksToTheADA, and #ADA30InColor on social media
The Doctor's Clinic - Bargaining Continues
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Your Bargaining Team met again with Management on July 22. We made progress during this session as the Employer finally provided a reasonable counter to our COVID-19 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). While we are still working on the details, the Employer has shown willingness to accept our at-risk leave of absence, language regarding at-work exposure, pay for Employer mandated quarantines, and proper notification to employees when they have been exposed to COVID-19.
We also presented our initial economic proposal, which included significant wages increases. After researching wage standards in the area, it became clear that we needed an aggressive proposal to account for the extreme disparity in wages at the Doctor’s Clinic compared to market standards.
However, the Employer responded to our economic offer by proposing an outrageously insulting 1% across the board wage increase for each year of the contract. Management’s proposal would worsen the already poor market competitiveness of the clinic’s wages, cripple recruitment and retention, and fail to keep up with inflation and cost of living.
Furthermore, as Essential Workers who are risking our health & safety everyday at work, at the very least the Employer should recognize these hazards with a respectable wage increase.
The Bargaining Team finds this proposal unacceptable and we will fight for the fair contract that we deserve. We would like to invite you to our virtual Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting this Friday, July 24 at 6PM, where we will discuss next steps in our fight for a fair contract. We return to bargaining on July 29.
“We are NOT the 1%, we are Essential Workers and deserve to be treated with respect.”
— BARGAINING TEAM: Danilo Dantes, Monique Pyles, Katy Turek
The Doctor's Clinic CAT Meeting
Friday, July 24 • 6:00 PM via Zoom
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.
St. Joseph Medical Center Pharmacy - Contract Ratified
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St. Joseph Pharmacy Contract was ratified on July 22 by an overwhelming “YES” vote! The new 3-year contract includes fair wage increases, improved grievance language, a new Variable Annuity Plan, and a Labor Management Committee to discuss and resolve issues in the workplace.
Conifer St. Joseph - It is Time to Take Action!
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The Bargaining Team met with Conifer this week to continue negotiations. Conifer is still proposing cuts to PTO accrual, Holiday pay and their wage proposal was disrespectful to our coworkers who have dedicated their entire career to the company! We know that Conifer can and should do better!
“In order to get the contract we deserve it is critical that we ACT together in unity.”
— Josie Talavera-Berg
To learn more details and find out what we have planned, join our Online CAT Meeting Via ZOOM
Wednesday, July 29
6:00 PM
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.
Forks Community Hospital Tech / Service - Contract Ratified with 100% “YES” VOTE!
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Forks Community Hospital Tech-Service Contract was ratified on July 21. We were able to win significant market adjustments for a number of positions and overall COLAs over the 3 year agreement that bring us up to industry and area standards. We added new and increased premiums while maintaining our benefits.
“We achieved our goal of making improvements to our contract that make our facilities more comparable with and even competitive to surrounding hospitals and facilities.” — Our Bargaining Team
Conifer St. Joseph - 100% of Conifer St. Joseph Members Reject Management's Offer!
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On Friday, July 17 members at Conifer St. Joseph voted on the employer’s most recent contract offer. Conifer members said:
NO to 0% Wage increases in year 1
NO to PTO accrual takeaways
NO to Holiday Pay reduction
CONIFER CAN DO BETTER!! Your Bargaining Team will continue to fight for fair wages, maintaining PTO accruals and Holiday Pay!
Join our Online CAT Meeting Via ZOOM
Wednesday, July 29
6:00 PM
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.
St. Michael Medical Center - Bargaining Update
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Your Bargaining Team met with Management again on July 15. Thanks to the overwhelming support from the Kitsap Community at last week’s action, we were able to make significant progress at the bargaining table.
During this session the Employer WITHDREW their proposal to force everyone off the Sound Health & Wellness Trust and transition to the unaffordable CHI Healthcare Plans. Under their original proposal some members would pay a premium that was five times higher, upwards of $200 every paycheck! The community made clear that such an attack on healthcare workers, particularly during a pandemic, was indefensible and would not be tolerated.
However, the fight over healthcare continues as the Employer’s new proposal would give Managament the authority to have new hires sign-up for the CHI Healthcare Plan. This proposal would significant weaken our ability to maintain our affordable healthcare in subsequent bargains.
The Employer knows they cannot win the healthcare fight now, so they are trying to establish weaknesses in our unit to be exploited in the future. Your Bargaining Team will continue to fight against these attacks and ensure we shall ALWAYS have affordable healthcare.
We return to the table on July 28 as we continue to push for equitable wage increases, a safer workplace, and fight against cuts to the Per Diem premium.
Please join our upcoming Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting to get the latest updates and learn how we can win a fair contact. These meetings will be held virtually through Zoom.
Tuesday, July 28 • zoom.us/join
8AM • 6PM
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details.
The Doctor's Clinic - Bargaining Continues
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Your Bargaining Team met again with Managament on July 17 and little progress was made. While the Employer made movement on some issues, such as job postings, they categorically rejected most of our proposals.
The Doctor’s Clinic has said NO to:
Leave of absences for employees who, according to the CDC, are most at-risk for COVID-19
Hazard Pay: Employer claims that the hazards we face during the pandemic “are the nature of our work”
New Emergency Preparedness and Response Team: A committee that will ensure we are better prepared for future emergencies
Easier access to our Long-Term Illness Bank
1-to-1 credit for past experience, applied to new hires to aid with recruitment
We are disappointed by Management’s unwillingness to thoughtfully consider these proposals that were designed to create a safer working environment at The Doctor’s Clinic. We will continue to push Managament on these issues while, at the same time, working on our initial economic package.
Please join your Bargaining Team at our virtual Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting this Friday July 24 @ 6PM! We will provide the latest updates and discuss how we can win a fair contract.
PRMCE RN Contract Extension Vote
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Contract Extension Vote
At the end of May 2020, Providence approached the Union and proposed a contract extension for the RN unit through June 2021. The current RN contract expires October 31, 2020 and we had planned to start bargaining before October.
It is typical that the Union and Providence enter a contract extension of three months during regular bargaining in order to keep the contract in effect. Since this is a longer than typical extension, we started having weekly calls amongst the bargaining committee and key RN leaders to discuss the benefits and negatives of an extension.
After many meetings, your RN bargaining committee/leaders have decided that an extension would NOT be beneficial for the unit.
Currently Providence is offering a 4% increase in 2020, but all RNs would start paying for parking as of October 2021. Meaning that a portion of your increase would go towards parking. Parking was a huge issue during the professional and technical units’ bargaining last year. They fought to postpone paying for parking until the RNs started paying for parking. As so, an extension with paid parking would affect the RNs, Pros, Techs, and even other union members at PRMCE. Although a 4% increase sounds enticing, all units would loss the benefit of free parking and we likely will never be able to win back that benefit!
That said, your bargaining committee and RN leaders are recommending a “NO” vote! We will be conducting the contract extension vote via standard mail. All ballots must be postmarked by August 7, 2020 in order to be counted. If you do not receive mail from the Union, please update your contact information online: ufcw21.org/update-your-information or contact Anthony Cantu, Union Rep (206)436-6566.
Vote meeting to explain the contract extension: Tuesday, July 28 at 8pm via Zoom Meeting After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Providence St. Peter Tech update
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We have begun bargaining our first contract!
Your Technical Unit Bargaining Committee,
Shapel Morgan (X-ray), Josh Wood (CT), Colleen Castenada (CATH Lab), and Rae Lynn Korpi (RT)
We have had two bargaining sessions with Providence. We have proposed language that establishes our general working conditions. Providence countered with their own definitions which don’t reflect what we currently have in-place. This made it very clear to your bargaining team that Providence does not take us seriously. They have shown us they are willing to take whatever steps needed to prevent us from having a strong and effective contract.
We have decided that we need to take collective action. This action will show Providence that we are NOT afraid, we are NOT weak, and we will NOT be bullied.
Our landslide vote was just the beginning. We need to continue with this momentum.
Our next bargaining session is on July 28, 2020. As we move onto crucial proposals such as wages, PTO/EIB, and retirement we need to build our strength! Your bargaining team has decided, given with the current times, to show our solidarity by wearing face masks with the UFCW 21 logo. By wearing the face mask, we will show Providence that the Techs stand united and are willing to fight for our futures!
We will be passing out the masks prior to our Stand Up to Providence Action on August 4th & 5th, 2020. We have chosen those days because we will be bargaining with Providence on August 6, 2020. This action is crucial as it will influence how Providence responds to our proposals. Please remind your co-workers of the upcoming dates and to wear their masks! We will also be asking the RNs to stand in solidarity with us and wear UFCW 21 masks. The RNs are a large and powerful group and their support will show Providence that we are not alone!
In addition, Providence is currently regrouping from the contract fight last year. UFCW 21 represented nine nursing, professional, technical, and service bargaining units and authorized a strike in coalition with SEIU and WSNA against Providence. Because of this, they were able to win a strong contract! Recently Providence Centralia’s Technical and Service units have voted for UFCW 21 to represent them and will be in negotiations at the same time as us. This is good for us and Centralia. Also, Providence Everett RN contract will expire this year and they will be bargaining at the same time as us. We will have strength in numbers, strength in the desire to prevail, and strength in timing.
Please know that your bargaining team is working for you, but we can’t do this alone. Encourage your fellow coworkers! Anyone you see wearing the UFCW 21 face mask or UFCW 21 apparel, give them a nod or wave. Spread the word by posting on both the RN and Tech FB page, thank a nurse or anyone you see supporting us because this is truly just the beginning.
Sincerely, your Technical Unit Bargaining Committee,
Shapel Morgan (X-ray), Josh Wood (CT), Colleen Castenada (CATH Lab), and Rae Lynn Korpi (RT)
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact your bargaining team or Union Rep, Erin McCoy, 206-436-6598
2020 scholarship recipients
/Congratulations to our 2020 UFCW 21 Scholarship Recipients!
Four-Year Scholarship ($4,000/yr, 4 years)
Alyssa Thilmony
UFCW 21 Member, Sacred Heart Medical Center
What do you plan to study?
I recently sent in my Nursing School application, so my plan is to finish my Associates in Nursing, and continue my education to get my Bachelors in Nursing.
What's your ultimate career goal?
My ultimate career goal would be a Psych Nurse Practitioner.
What does the union mean to you?
The job I have now is my first job with a union, and I think they're amazing. I've been a union member for 5 years now and I got to witness the full force of the union last year when we were negotiating the new contract for the hospital. Many stewards spent countless hours at the negotiation table to fight for their members to get a fair contract, and were successful. To me when I was first hired I was a little skeptical about unions as I had never been apart of one, but after having been a member I see the immense value unions have for not only their members, but also to the facilities their members work for.
First in Family
Jeanett Quintanilla Herrera
UFCW 21 Member, PCC Edmonds
What do you plan to study?
I am a foreign attorney from Peru, and I am planning to study my master’s in law at the University of Washington. This university has various master’s in law, so I decided to study the Sustainable International Development, LLM.
This program will prepare me to help the world recover from the global pandemic, which threatens the stability of economies worldwide and the livelihoods of people across the planet. In addition, this program is focused on key subjects in the area of law and policy that will help the private sector, government institutions, and civil society, to achieve responsible sustainable growth in the face of challenges to global health, food security, the environment and global trade and supply chains.
What's your ultimate career goal?
My ultimate career goal is getting my license as a lawyer in Washington state, and represent workers. I would love fight for the rights, hazard pay, and equal opportunity for essential workers, and immigrants in our state. Also, I would like to be representative of the Washington state Legislature, and then represent WA state in the congress.
What does the union mean to you?
I believe that the union play a very important role in our society because labor union represents the collective interest of workers, bargaining with employers over such concerns as wages, hazard pay, and working conditions. The role that the union plays right now in this pandemic is very important because we are in a global pandemic and we need a strong union. I also believe that all the industries work needs to collaborate with our union and be part of them. The idea is not just be a member, so the idea is be activist, and speak up for our rights with no fears.
First in Family
Rosa Conejo
UFCW 21 Member, Monica Sauno Mascote, Draper Valley Farms
What do you plan to study?
I’m currently trying to get my Associates in Pre-Nursing
What's your ultimate career goal?
After receiving my Associates in Pre-Nursing I plan on transferring to a University to get my Bachelors in Science of Nursing. I eventually want to become an Oncology Nurse. At some point in my nursing career I want to be a travel nurse. I think that would be really fun.
What does the union mean to you?
What I know about Unions is that they are the voice of the workers for a better working environment or getting them a better wage. I feel like they are an amazing group of people that are able to stand up for what’s right and what they believe their workers deserve. Without them the workers would not be able to fight for better wages or even better working conditions. They are with the people who are sometimes too scared to stand up to their superiors because they think they’ll put their job at risk. They’re like the light at the end of the tunnel. If a member needs help or feels something needs to be fixed the union is the voice of the people to keep on fighting to work in the best conditions.
Health Care ($3,000)
Marcellis Dodson-Smith
UFCW 21 Member,
MultiCare Auburn Medical Center
Health Care
Hannah Little
UFCW 21 Member, Connie Little, Olympic Medical Home Health
What do you plan to study?
I am currently studying to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima.
What's your ultimate career goal?
I want to become a family practice physician or pediatrician for a rural community in the Pacific Northwest.
What does the union mean to you?
Unions were founded to protect workers in their workplaces and lives: fighting for safe conditions, establishing the 9-5 work week, and introducing fair compensation. Unions continue to fight for workers in these ways and many more today. They represent solidarity of the workforce, and ensure fair treatment and living for work. People like my mother are able to focus on their work without worrying about working conditions, and know that she and her fellow workers can advocate for change when needed.
Full-Time Student ($2,000)
Keith Wilwert
UFCW 21 Member, Tracy Wilwert, Olympic Medical Center
What do you plan to study?
I think it would be awesome to be an automotive engineer. That's kind of my goal.
What does the union mean to you?
As the son of a longtime Union member, Keith been aware of unions but didn’t know much about how they operate. “I know I learned about unions during U.S. history classes. I know that they're to protect workers from being fired for dumb reasons.”
Full-Time Student
Ishmael Togi
UFCW 21 Member, Lesa'o Togi
Fred Meyer #28 - Burien
What do you plan to study?
Multimedia, but probably business administration.
What does the union mean to you?
Ishmael mom has worked at Fred Meyer for about 20 years. She's the one who let him know about the scholarship opportunities. "They help our fight for the worker's rights."
Full-Time Student
Soleil Wieland
UFCW 21 Member, QFC #822 - Factoria
What do you plan to study?
At first, my plan was to study Mechanical Engineering. However, as I continued taking classes, I realized that it is really not my passion. I decided to change majors to Math and add an English minor. So now I am majoring in Math and double minoring in English and Mechanical Engineering. I feel so happy with what I am studying!
What’s your ultimate career goal?
I want to be an Algebra teacher. Algebra is my favorite part of Math, so I would love to teach it. Additionally, my Mom is a teacher and I have always admired how passionate she is about teaching and I feel really connected to that passion. I also had a great Algebra teacher; she made the subject fun and easy to understand, and I hope to be able to do that as well.
What does the union mean to you?
I have been a part of the union since I started working at QFC in 2015. I have always appreciated that the union has stood for ensuring that their members are treated fairly. This has been abundantly clear during these difficult times. The union has fought to not only to ensure that we have the protective equipment we need to do our jobs safely, but also to ensure that we have continued to receive additional compensation for the risks we take every day going to work. I am so grateful that the union never stops protecting its members and that I am a part of it!
Full-Time Student
Robin Grant
UFCW 21 Member, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
What do you plan to study?
I am working towards my Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education
What’s your ultimate career goal?
My goal is to teach 1st grade, but I will be happy with any grade.
What does the union mean to you?
I have been a part of UFCW 21 for 19 yers, since I worked for Labcorp in Seattle in 2001, and 2003-present at Sacred Heart MC. Since being a part of the union, I have received steady raises and support. In recent years, Providence has tried to make many changes to our benefits, the Union has stepped in and made sure we get the best possible.
Full-Time Student
Nicholas Subocz
UFCW 21 Member,
QFC #827 – Holman Rd
What do you plan to study?
I plan to study public policy and public administration, and in the future I will perhaps pursue law school. I already have a declared major, titled Law, Economics, and Public Policy (LEPP).
What’s your ultimate career goal?
In the future I wish to be on the senate or house floor debating among future (and perhaps current) congressmen and congresswomen, and working with the people of my state that I grew up in to pursue a better future for America. My ultimate career goal would be to have done everything in my ability to have helped the American people, especially the working class.
What does the union mean to you?
I believe unions are a symbol of the solidarity of the working class against the larger corporate forces. I know that unions offer services and protection for workers across the country, offering rights and representation for laborers who would otherwise be under the thumb of the large companies they work for. One example might be being unrightfully terminated or receiving a sudden massive cut in hours, especially when the employee in question has been working there for over a decade. I know that if I or my father are brought into the manager’s office, I could ask to have a union representative represent me instead if I feel they are going to ask questions that may result in my termination.
Full-Time Student
Troy Schmidt
UFCW 21 Member, Laura Schmidt
Safeway #1472 – Mt Vernon
What do you plan to study?
I will be studying Instrumentation and Control Technology from Bellingham Technical College beginning in the fall. This is a program that covers calibration, maintenance, problem solving, etc. of different electrical tools, software, and systems at industrial type facilities (power plants, refineries, etc.). In short, it is a cross between engineer and electrician.
What’s your ultimate career goal?
My ultimate career goal is to complete this program in Bellingham, and then apply my knowledge by receiving a job in that field. By achieving this goal, I hope to be able to start and provide for a family as well as still live the lifestyle I choose and partake in activities I enjoy. I want to be the best and most successful person I can be and in 30 years be able to look back and be proud of the person I am and be glad I made the career decisions I did to help me become that person.
What does the union mean to you?
I believe I have a decent general understanding about unions and and what they represent/offer members. My mom is a UFCW Union member herself and as a journeyman hydro mechanic, my dad is a member of the IBEW Union. I have seen from both of them how hard the union works to protect workers, their rights, and improve working conditions.
Full-Time Student
Emily Drozynski
UFCW 21 Member, Jenny Drozynski
Kaiser Permanente – Tacoma
What do you plan to study?
I am studying Aerospace Engineering with a focus in Astronautics.
What’s your ultimate career goal?
My ultimate career goal is to be an astronaut and work in space. I would love to work for a small, private company such as Blue Origin. I also have a dream to serve my country, so I plan to join the Air Force as an officer after college for some time.
Full-Time Student
Kayshish Pichette-Cline
UFCW 21 Member,
Safeway #3285 - Bellingham
Hood Famous Bakeshop - “We are excited to continue negotiations for our first contract. Motivated to fight for a fair and equitable workplace!”
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Your Bargaining Team met with Chera & Geo again yesterday, July 16, to receive their counter to our initial proposals. While many issues remain, we were happy with the progress made and, most importantly, the Employer’s willingness to show movement in their proposal.
We were appreciative of the fact that the Employer responded to nearly all our proposals and, for those issues they did not, we had very productive conversations on how to move forward. However, we will need to respond with some edits from their proposals and, honestly, we haven’t started with the more contentious economic issues.
The Bargaining Team did not have time to submit counter proposals and would love to hear from you about how we should respond! We’d like to invite you to our virtual Contract Action Team meeting next Tuesday, July 21 @ 5pm to discuss negotiations and next steps!
Hood Famous CAT Meeting
Tuesday, July 21
5:00 PM via Zoom
Kroger Mandates Masks — UFCW 21 Members Demand Reinstatement of Hazard Pay
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UFCW 21 members at Kroger stores, including the Auburn Fred Meyer workers pictured above, have been protesting the company’s pay cuts with sign actions at their stores.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Union called Kroger’s decision to require that customers wear masks “long overdue.” UFCW has been demanding a mask mandate since early in the pandemic, and here in Washington UFCW 21 members were central to the governor’s decision to require that customers wear masks in stores and public places to help make our workplaces safer and prevent spread of COVID-19.
UFCW International President Marc Perrone has called on all grocers and retailers to implement mask requirements and said they should be enforced by “trained professionals, not retail workers already stretched thin during this crisis.”
Meanwhile, UFCW 21 members at Kroger-owned Fred Meyer and QFC stores in Western Washington are demanding that Kroger reinstate the $2/hour hazard pay that it terminated in May.
Eli Campbell, who works in grocery at the Bakerview Fred Meyer in Bellingham spoke out against Kroger’s termination of hazard pay, saying: “The pandemic is still here. Our added responsibilities for cleaning and sanitation remain, and so does the risk.”
“Our sales are amazing. We have been selling so much,” said Andrenna Caballero, an Assistant Deli Manager at the Port Hadlock QFC. “That's why when we were told our hero pay was going away and our hours were going to be cut we were all so angry.”
UFCW 21 members at Kroger stores, including the Auburn Fred Meyer workers pictured above, have been protesting the company’s pay cuts with sign actions at their stores.
UFCW says 278 members have died from COVID-19 in the first 100 days of the pandemic, and 44,419 have been exposed or infected.
If you need signs for your store, contact your rep.
Harrison Community Caravan Takes the Streets of Kitsap!
/The UFCW 21 Harrison ProTech Bargaining Team was joined by UFCW 21 Kitsap Movement Builders, UFCW 21 Doctor’s Clinic & grocery members, as well as the Kitsap Central Labor Council and political and community leaders for an inspiring, powerful, creative and ultimately very noisy action from Bremerton to Silverdale on Tuesday, July 14.
UFCW 21 members shared what is happening in our workplaces, the risks to our safety and how we are doing everything we can (including making our own personal protective equipment) to keep ourselves and our colleagues safe. We asked community to join our campaign asking CHI to do better in terms of health care, wages, PPE, and other important safety protections. Then about 40 cars decorated with streamers, paint, and signs saying things like “Protect Health Care Workers, Protect Our Community” and “Honk for Healthcare Workers” circled Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton, getting waves from health care workers on break and passers by. We then beeped our way, in formation, over to Silverdale, where we did the same thing at Harrison Medical Center there.
We wrapped up the action with a reminder for everyone to sign on to the petition which health care members will be delivering at the end of July. Please sign and share, so that CHI has no doubt that the Kitsap Community is horrified about what is happening to our health care workers and expects CHI to do the right thing!
Hear what UFCW 21 members had to say that day:
“My kids were born at Harrison. Health care means a lot. As a CNA, I’m one of the lowest-paid people in the hospital, and I do most of the patient care. I’ve been on the bargaining team ever since I started, 21 years ago. I fight for the little guy. We have over 200 people that are CNAs in the hospital, we’re the biggest group out of the Pro-Tech group, and I fight for them tooth and nail every single day because that’s how I care about the CNAs, that’s how I care about the workers, that’s how I care about Pro-Tech.”
“We as health care workers are the ones that really have the knowledge, not the administration. The biggest thing in this pandemic that’s been really scary, as a health care worker, is that we’re now carrying around our PPE, which most of us have had to go out and purchase ourselves. We’re in the ER and we’re wearing these masks for more than 3 weeks, masks that were originally meant to be to be one-time use per patient. Six months ago, we were changing out our gowns, goggles, masks, between every patient and now we’re using it for weeks on end. I’m just asking for the community to support us on this. In order for us to take care of you, we need your support to take care of ourselves, too.”
“We are also bargaining for a fair contract right now. The Doctor’s Clinic is owned by CHI, so we’re all in this together, and they’re doing the same things to us. They said we don’t deserve hazard pay because this is the job we signed up for. Let me tell you—this is not the job we signed up for! I’ve been here for Ebola, I was there for H1N1, this is a whole new world for everyone. This beautiful garbage bag I’m wearing today? I’ve been making these myself, for our own protective equipment. We didn’t get the kind of protective gowns we were supposed to have, so I took some garbage bags and figure out how to iron them together. I’m very proud of this, but I’m also extremely angry. I did it to protect myself and my coworkers, but I should not have had to do this. I bought the garbage bags myself. If we go down, we can’t protect the community, so we need to be protected.”
Monique Pyles
“We really have each other’s back here in Kitsap!”
-Naomi Oligario, Port Orchard Safeway, UFCW 21 member & event emcee
“I’ve been in the grocery industry for a long time; this is a tough time for essential workers. We’re keeping our communities fed, supplied, healthy, and cared for in the middle of a global emergency, and we’re proud to do it. But we also need to be kept safe at our jobs. As a patient of this Kitsap health care system, I know the safety of these health care workers affects my safety. If me and my coworkers get sick, our community food supply chain gets messed up. I know if health care workers get sick and can’t work, our access to good quality health care is affected. Essential workers in this stand together, stand for each other, and stand for the community.”
Our community car caravan passes Harrison Medical Center to let them know Kitsap stands with health care workers!
Grays Harbor - During a Global Pandemic Management Wants to Reduce Our Sick Leave
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We continued to bargain with Management last week and were not able to reach a settlement. Management’s relentless pursuit to take away our sick leave hours during a pandemic is their short sighted plan to reduce costs off of our working backs. Our Bargaining Team remains adamant that taking away our sick leave is not the answer to the hospital’s financial problems. We encouraged Management to look at other cost saving ideas, i.e. better billing practices and streamlining paperwork.
“We understand Shared Sacrifice and we want the hospital to succeed but having Management balance the budget off our backs is not acceptable. Join us at our Zoom Contract Action Team meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss our next steps in getting a fair contract.”
Grays Harbor Hospital Bargaining Team
Tuesday, July 21
6:00 PM - 7:30PM
https://zoom.us/join
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.
