UFCW 3000 Member Story: Terry Lakes

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Terry Lakes, UFCW 3000 member & GROCERY STORE WORKER AT FRED MEYER

It’s #MemberMonday, and today we’re spotlighting Terry Lakes, who currently works at Fred Meyer in Auburn, where she’s worked for the past 33 years!

Terry is originally from Iowa, but moved to Auburn, WA at a young age and considers both places her home. While Terry started her career in healthcare, working in a nursing home, she has been in the grocery industry for so many years because of her bond with her coworkers and customers. For Terry, her coworkers are like family! Terry is always ready to greet you, whether you’re a customer or a coworker, with a warm smile.

Terry’s solidarity with her coworkers has also motivated her to be a leader in her workplace. Since 2015, she’s been a shop steward, and in recent years, she’s also been active in getting coworkers, customers, and community members involved in contract campaigns.

When she’s not working, Terry loves to read and tend to her home. We are so grateful to Terry for the knowledge, expertise, and compassion that she brings to not only her store but our entire Union. Thank you Terry!

Lourdes Medical Center/LifePoint (Technical) Bargaining Begins

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Lourdes Medical Center/LifePoint (Technical)

Bargaining Begins

Our next bargaining dates will be December 19 and December 20. We are hopeful that we can get closer to a recommended offer before the Holidays.

"Our Bargaining Team met with the Employer last week. We are striving to get a great contract with our focus being on wages, membership and cleaning up other language in our contract. Everyone is working hard for a contract we can all be happy with.”

- Shahna Airoldi, Ultrasound Tech, Steward, Bargaining Team member

For questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to a Bargaining Team member or Union Rep Juanita Quezada @ (509) 340-7407.

Our Bargaining Team (L - R): Juanita Quezada - Union Representative, Shahna Airoldi - Ultrasound, Malinda Mcbee - Pharmacy Tech, Francisco Roman-Montoya - Rehab Aide, George Rodriguez - Surgical Tech, Robert Roy - Respiratory Therapist
Not Pictured: Monica Cacioppo - Pharmacy Tech, David Coomes - Surgical Tech

Cascade Valley Hospital - Bargaining Continues

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Cascade Valley Hospital
Bargaining Continues

“Being a part of the Bargaining Team has been a wonderful experience. Not only have I felt a sense of unity with my Union members, but I have felt an overwhelming amount of support with my Union representatives” -Elizabeth Smith, Patient Register II

On December 5 and 9, we met with Skagit Regional Health to bargain our contract at Cascade Valley Hospital. We are extremely optimistic that in our next session we may have a tentative agreement to bring forth to membership for a vote! We have tentatively agreed to language including:

  • Ensuring seniority when moving between departments

  • Non-discrimination language including ensuring equity and diversity trainings happen regularly

  • Having discipline removed from personnel files after 2 years

  • Requirements for more notice on

  • any layoffs

  • Language for members to have more time to respond to recall

  • Bereavement leave that now can be non-consecutive to grieve your loved one within a 12-month period

  • Other various language changes to ensure better access to Union rights

We are awaiting Skagit’s response on our per diem proposal, wages, holidays, PTO, convenience days and more. We are hopeful that on Monday, December 19, which is our next bargaining date, to be able to come up with a tentative agreement so that we may have your new CBA in time for the holiday season!

For questions, please reach out to Union Rep Celia Ponce-Sanchez @ (360) 419-4678.

Our Cascade Valley Bargaining Team: Elizabeth Smith – Patient Register II, Pammy Hammond – Unit Assistant, Robin Shults – Pharmacy Tech, Vicky LaPierre – Unit Assistant, Lidna Deeter – Surgical Tech, Jason Burbee – Surgical Tech

EvergreenHealth Monroe - Meet Your UFCW 3000 Bargaining Team

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Rosemary Mitchell is a substance use disorder family counselor and has been with Evergreen Health since 2018. This is her first time on the bargaining team.

She describes her job as serving up hope one patient at a time and saving families. “This is my dream job. I am helping build better families. I joined the bargaining team to be a voice for my coworkers. We have lost a lot of people since 2020 and none have been replaced. I love my job, we just need work-life balance which is hard when you working with a skeleton crew.”

Patty Romero is a certified surgical technologist. She’s been with the hospital for 23 years and has been at the table bargaining the last five contracts.

“I just wanted to be able make a difference on what was fair,” she says of why she joined the bargaining team.

“I am hoping for an equitable and fair contract, and that the hospital sees that we need to feel valued.  They need to acknowledge what we do and what it takes to be away our families. We were on the front lines during the worst of the pandemic while they were sitting at home on their computers when we didn’t have that choice.“

Be on the lookout for Patty and Rosemary to visit your department as they share updates on the latest bargaining developments.

Know someone who is not getting updates? Send them the link to update their contact information!

For additional information contact your Union Representative Sharra Oakley at 206-436-6614.

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Maureen Williams

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It’s #MemberMonday, and today’s spotlight is on Maureen Williams, who currently works at Fred Meyer in Covington, WA. Maureen has been working in the grocery industry since she immigrated to the U.S. from her homeland of Guyana in South America.

Originally, Maureen was a seasonal worker and cashier. Through the years, she has worked her way up and is now head of her department! In fact, Maureen is now contemplating retirement in the near future.

Maureen is a proud union member and strong worker-leader. She has been a shop steward since 2017. Most recently, Maureen attended the 2022 Safety Summit and has taken what she learned back to her store & their safety committee.

Maureen says that one of her main motivations for wanting to advocate for her coworkers is the history of the Labor movement in Guyana. One such example is Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, also known as the founding father of the Union Trade Workers in Guyana. Inspired by this history, Maureen believes it’s a necessity to stand up at work for her rights and for her coworkers who might otherwise feel powerless. In her words, being an engaged union member and workplace leader is important because “if there’s not a body of people representing the vulnerable and underdogs, we would be taken advantage of.”

Thank you Maureen for your leadership and strength! It is truly inspiring to witness you connect the organizing we need in our workplace with global movements for justice.

St. Joseph Medical Center - VOTE SCHEDULED - Tentative Agreement Reached

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St. Joseph Medical Center - VOTE SCHEDULED
Tentative Agreement Reached

On Wednesday, December 7, after multiple long days of bargaining we were able to come to a tentative agreement. Because of our unity and actions, we were able to get some great wins including:

  • A three-year contract with competitive wage increases that overall average 10.35% in year one for staff pharmacists

  • New wage scale that eliminates ghost steps

  • $2000 ratification bonus prorated by FTE for all pharmacists

  • Preceptor pay of $1.00/hour starting the first pay period 120 days after ratification

  • Health and safety language

  • And other great wins!

The vote will be in-person and members will have the opportunity to speak to Bargaining Team members before casting their ballot. Please arrive during the posted vote times as we cannot allow members to enter the vote room outside of the advertised times:

Tuesday, December 20
7am-9:30am | 11am-1pm | 3pm-5pm | 6pm-8pm
Lagerquist C (ground level of the hospital)

Metropolitan Market Grocery Wage Scale Vote Scheduled

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Metropolitan Market Grocery Wage Scale Vote Scheduled

Metropolitan Market and UFCW 3000 have come to an agreement to modify the parties’ Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), subject to the ratification of UFCW 3000’s membership. This agreement was arrived at through a collaborative effort. If ratified, the CBA will increase our union scale above other union grocery store workers in the Puget Sound. This agreement also resolves any disputes regarding the wage implementation of the 2022 Allied Grocery Settlement.

Our Union Member Bargaining Team recommends a “YES” VOTE to accept the proposal!

Active members covered by the grocery contract are eligible to vote at whichever location is most convenient during anytime that polling is open.

Wednesday, December 14
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM & 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Drop-in during the voting period to review the Tentative Agreement, get your questions answered, and cast your vote. These votes are open to all active UFCW 3000 Metropolitan Market grocery members in good standing.

Metropolitan Market #153 (Admiral) 2320 42nd Ave SW Seattle, WA 98116

Metropolitan Market #156 (Sand Point) 5250 40th Ave NE Seattle, WA 98105

Metropolitan Market #164 (Mercer Island) 2755 77th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040

Metropolitan Market #162 (Sammamish) 301 228th Ave SE Sammamish, WA 98074

Metro Market #159 (Kirkland) 10611 NE 68th St Kirkland, WA 98033

Metro Market #157 (Uptown) 100 Mercer St Seattle, WA 98109

Metro Market #161 (Magnolia) 3830 34th Ave W Seattle, WA 98199

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Nancy Pyanowski

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Nancy pyanowski, UFCW 3000 member and medical laboratory dispatcher at Labcorp

It’s #MemberMonday and today we’re spotlighting Nancy Pyanowski, a proud UFCW 3000 member who works as a medical laboratory dispatcher at Labcorp.

Nancy has a big heart & a fighting spirit; she cares deeply about her patients and her coworkers! Nancy works tirelessly to advocate for her coworkers and safety at her job. Her colleagues point out that Nancy is always ready to share her experience & knowledge, especially when it comes to their rights at work.

Nancy has really stepped up as a worker-leader, too, as she’s actively involved as a shop steward and bargaining team member for her unit. As she says: “We are the union; when we’re united & resolved, we have the power to win!”

When she’s not working, Nancy enjoys cooking & working out with her personal trainer. Nancy — thank you for your leadership at work and for reminding us how important it is to safeguard our rights at work so we can better enjoy our lives off the clock!

Harbor Regional Health - Contract Ratified

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Harbor Regional Health
Contract Ratified

Contracts for the Professional, Technical, Service and Maintenance, Business Office and Medical Records units have been overwhelmingly approved! Over several months of bargaining, workers and community members let Management know that wages and staffing conditions must improve.

Increases to wages are effective the first full pay period after ratification. Both the wage increases and ratification bonus will be included in the Friday, December 30 paycheck.

For further information contact a Bargaining Team member or Union Rep Brandan Zielinski @ (206) 436-6603.

Harbor Regional Health Bargaining Team (L-R): Debbie Sturm, Janet Byrd, Daniel James, Ricki Franklin, Bambi Shope

Fred Meyer North Bellingham: We Won Our Union in General Merchandise!

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We are proud to share that Fred Meyer has recognized our union at North Bellingham in the General Merchandise side, and we are joining our coworkers as members of UFCW 3000!  

This took many years of work, and it’s worth celebrating our big win. Union protections include a legal contract with guaranteed wages and benefits, and union workers also have job protections and rights on the job that non-union workers don’t have. We will also have access to high-quality and affordable healthcare through our CBA, and a pension that the company will be making contributions to at 2.8% of salary.

Winning our right to unionize is just the beginning. Now it’s time to take the next steps:

  • Learning about our rights

  • Learning our contract

  • Recruiting workplace leaders to become our trained Shop Stewards

  • Getting to know our UFCW 3000 Union Representative

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Some of our most important rights on the job are around meetings with management, known as “Weingarten rights.” 

You have the right to union representation if you are called to a meeting with management that could lead to discipline. 

Follow these guidelines: 

  • The employee must make a clear request for union representation either before or during the interview. (Managers do not have to inform employees of their rights.) 

  • Management cannot retaliate for requesting representation. 

  • Management must delay questioning until the union steward arrives. 

  • It is an unfair labor practice for management to deny an employee’s request for a steward and continue with interrogation. In this case, an employee can refuse to answer management’s questions.

CONTACTING THE UNION

If you or a coworker needs any help regarding an investigatory meeting with management, are facing any discipline or corrective action, or believe our contract is being violated, contact the UFCW 3000 Member Resource Center at 1-866-210-3000. 

OUR UNION REPRESENTATIVE

Our UFCW 3000 Union Representative is Aisha Womack. Aisha represents workers at multiple work locations and employers, and can help address workplace issues, organize for change in the workplace, support contract bargaining and enforcement, and more. Contact Aisha at 360-419-4681.

READY TO GET TRAINED UP?

To sign up for further training with our union on things like contract enforcement, Weingarten rights and meetings, grievance procedures, and safety, contact our Union Rep Aisha at 360-419-4681, or call the union’s education director Marc Auerbach at 206-436-6519.

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health - Management ignores cease and desist and demand to bargain over overpayment demands

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In October 2022, the Employer overpaid wages to a large portion of members within St. Michael Medical Center, St. Joseph Medical Center, St. Anne Hospital, and Virtual Health bargaining units. They notified UFCW 3000 that they would be seeking recuperation of the excess wages, which they are legally entitled to do. When the Employer began deducting overpayment members realized that the deducted amounts were incorrect.

We sent the Employer a cease and desist letter asking them to stop the deductions and allow us to bargain over the overpayment recovery plan. Management has ignored our request, so we have filed a group grievance on behalf of all bargaining units regarding the overpayment recovery plan. Additionally, we have filed an unfair labor practice against the Employer for ignoring our request.

If you believe you have been deducted an incorrect amount, please email your paystubs and a brief description of how much money you believe is owed to you at: Virginiamasonwagegrievance@ufcw3000.org. We will continue sending out updates to all VMFH bargaining units.

We also encourage you to file a L&I complaint with the State: https://secure.lni.wa.gov/wagecomplaint/#/ and file a PAR with VMFH human resources.

UFCW 3000 Joins Labor & Community Allies in Calling on Ostrom Mushroom Farms to Recognize Their Workers' Union & Negotiate a Contract

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UFCW 3000 joins United Farm Workers, our union siblings, and community partners in calling on Ostrom Mushroom Farms to recognize their workers' union & to negotiate a contract that addresses unfair wages, dangerous working conditions, and harassment in the workplace.

As a union with over 32,000 grocery store workers, we are committed to safe, healthy working conditions all along the food supply chain. We support these courageous workers advocating for basic rights and dignity in their workplace. Join us by signing the petition in support of Ostrom Mushroom Farm Workers today:

Sign the Petition

Harbor Regional Health TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED!

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Harbor Regional Health TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED!

Our Bargaining Team has reached a tentative agreement on a new three year contract and recommends a yes vote! We are excited to announce that the new agreement includes:

SIGNIFICANT WAGE INCREASES for all jobs!

  • Ratification Bonus!

  • Improved PTO Cash Out!

  • Increased Certification Pay!

  • Better PTO Scheduling Language!

  • Reinforced Worker Protections!

  • Full details of the contract offer will be available during the vote.

Contract Vote Drop in: Monday, November 28:

6:30am — 8:30am, 11:30am — 1:30pm, 3:30pm — 5:30pm

in Conference Room A (Ground floor of the Hospital)

All members in good standing are eligible to vote.

For additional information about the vote, contact any Bargaining Team Member or Union Representative Brandan Zielinski: 206-436-6603

Card Kingdom - Bargaining Continues

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On November 15, your bargaining team met with Card Kingdom to continue negotiations. Your bargaining team achieved 4 tentative agreements with Card Kingdom, including: 

  • An article that addresses anti-bias and de-escalation training

  • An article that creates a labor management committee to meet with your employer quarterly to address workplace issues

  • An article that shows how dues are paid and how Card Kingdom will share employee information with the union

  • An agreement that union members will be notified of new jobs and if they do not get the job will be able to get feedback on why

Tentative agreements mean that your bargaining team and Card Kingdom have agreed on proposed language and once they agree on an entire contract, Card Kingdom workers will review and vote on the tentative agreement to become a full contract/CBA.

We will be meeting with Card Kingdom again to continue negotiations. If you have any questions, please reach out to your bargaining team.

In Solidarity,

Cole (AM Production)

Raevyn Fletcher (ON Production)

Zach Whittle (ON Machine Ops)

Mark Ochsner (AM Warehouse Specialist)

Kosmo Parker (ON Shipping)

Jeff Dunn (PM Inventory)

Lee North (AM Grading)

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health - UFCW 3000 sends cease and desist over VMFH overpayment demands

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Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
UFCW 3000 sends cease and desist over VMFH overpayment demands

On November 10, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health sent notice to workers across several facilities that they intend to recover wage overpayments associated with the October 21 paycheck, which were as of a result of last month’s Kronos outage.

Healthcare workers have expressed concern over the Employer’s overpayment recovery plan, specifically, questions regarding the accuracy of the Employer’s math and hardships over the limited payment options.

In response, UFCW Local 3000 has sent Virginia Mason Franciscan Health a cease-and-desist letter to allow us time to bargain an agreement that addresses these concerns.

In the meantime, we recommend that members retain any documentation related to the October 2- October 15 payroll period. We will follow-up with additional information as this situation develops.

MultiCare Covington Medical Center - Management Needs to Bargain with Us!

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Your Bargaining Team: 

Faith Soriano-Miller, RN – PCU 

Erin Reynolds, HUC in ED 

Lolita Edge, CS Tech in Sterile Processing 

Luz Martinez, Monitor Tech 

Poonam Gill, RN – PACU 

Austin Smith, EVS 

Ken Farrell, Charge RN MedSurg

Management has moved very little at the bargaining table. Our Bargaining Team came to the table ready to fight for a strong and equitable contract for all of our coworkers. We came to the table with multiple proposals to better our working conditions, including low census and staffing. Unfortunately, Management rejected our current proposals and refuses to bargain on the issues that matters most to us. 

“Management needs to respect our FTEs; just like Management has financial obligations, we too have financial obligations for ourselves and our families.” 

— Lolita Edge, CS Tech in Sterile Processing 

“We need to have better working conditions so that we can recruit and retain qualified staff.” 

— Ken Farrell, Charge RN MedSurg 

“A good contract is a reflection of how much Management cares and respects their employees.” 

— Faith Soriano-Miller, RN – PCU 

Please join our petition for a fair and strong contract. We call on Management to bargain a contract that respects us, pays us and protects us. 

Sign the Petition Online!

If you want more information about what’s going on with bargaining, there are three meetings coming up to meet your Bargaining Team and get more information!

  • Online Contract Action Meeting
    Thursday, November 17 • 7:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/join

  • Lunch with Bargaining Team
    Tuesday, November 22 • 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

  • Online Contract Action Meeting
    Tuesday, November 22 • 5:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/join

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


UFCW 3000 Member Story: Sandy Pyle

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Sandy Pyle (left), grocery store worker, is pictured here with her union representative, Tae (center), and a fellow UFCW 3000 member, Yasmin (right).

It’s #MemberMonday and today we are spotlighting Sandy Pyle, who has been a member of our union since 2004! Sandy works at Albertsons #419 in Port Orchard, WA, starting her career as a courtesy clerk. In the years since, Sandy has worked her way up the ladder and is now a Front-End Supervisor.

Sandy’s coworkers have seen her supporting others for many years. Whether she is educating fellow union members on their rights at work, standing up to management, or identifying & documenting safety hazards, Sandy is always helping her coworkers advocate for themselves. This same attitude extends to the customers who frequent her store, many of whom know her by name and are always happy to see Sandy.

Sandy’s leadership extends to being passionate about workplace safety as well. Recently, Sandy attended our first annual Safety Summit, bringing with her two other union members. Regardless of whether they work at her store or not, Sandy is always motivated to provide as many resources as possible to fellow frontline, essential workers. Sandy’s goals now are to train coworkers to become shop stewards or recruit them to join their stores’ safety committees.

Sandy — thank you so much for your leadership in your workplace and your community. We are so inspired!

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett - Staffing Update • November 10, 2022

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The staffing problem at Providence Everett continues to worsen. This past month it culminated with a sentinel event in the emergency department. This event, along with others can be avoided with proper staffing!  

Time and time again in nurse staffing committee, nurses have made staffing suggestions to the Hospital administration. Instead of taking into consideration our recommendations, they have ignored us, cancelled additional meetings needed to review the many CSIs submitted, and are now planning to restructure the Staffing Steering Committees which will favor the Hospital. 

Enough is enough! Providence needs to be held accountable and answer our questions about staffing. We have submitted a detailed information request to the Hospital to better understand the factors which lead to the sentinel event in the emergency department. 

Providence has failed to resolve our staffing problems and is failing the community and patients. 

We call on Providence Everett to be transparent and collaborate with nurses in staffing committee! Our patients deserve better! We need safe staffing conditions now! 

We will be following up with next actions in the next two weeks. In the meantime, our most effective tool is to file a CSI form or file a DOH complaint. We highly encourage you to use these avenues to report staffing issues.  

UFCW Staffing Complaint Form
Washington State DOH Healthcare Agencies and Facilities Complaint Process