CANCELED: Ratification Vote | Acme Farms & Kitchen Tentative Agreement Reached!

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Acme Farms & Kitchen
Tentative Agreement Reached!

On Wednesday, February 8 our union bargaining committee reached a tentative agreement for the first Acme Farms & Kitchen Union contract! This tentative agreement is unanimously recommended contract by our Union Bargaining Committee for a “yes” vote at the ratification meeting. It includes:

  • Wage Scales for all union jobs with increases

  • based on length of service.

  • Paid holiday benefits.

  • Paid vacation benefits.

  • Protections from unjust termination.

  • Many other benefits to all employees.

Because of the number of details to review, we will be having an on-line meeting (via Zoom) to discuss the agreement ahead of the main vote meeting: Thursday, February 16 at 4pm

In-Person Contract Vote Details:

Canceled Vote: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak at the worksite and the Employer’s closure of the warehouse, the contract ratification vote, Friday, February 24 @ 3:30pm is canceled. We will reschedule it as soon as possible. 

All eligible current bargaining unit members are eligible to vote. Full details of the contract will be available in a vote summary document and the full version of the tentative agreement.

CORRECTION: Kaiser Permanente - Vote on new travel group pods

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Kaiser Permanente
VOTE ON NEW TRAVEL GROUP PODS

As part of the 2021 contract negotiations, an agreement was made to review the existing travel group pods for the Lab and Radiology departments and make changes to limit unnecessary travel. A group of Union Members and Management met over several months and we have a fully recommended tentative agreement.

The details of the tentative agreement will be available during the online vote on Wednesday, February 22 @ 7am—5pm. You will receive an email from UFCW 3000 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information. All members in good standing are eligible to vote.

TO VOTE ONLINE: Make sure your information is up to date! In order to vote on the changes to Travel Group Pods, make sure your personal email is up to date in our records. If you did not receive this announcement via email update your info at: ufcw3000.org/update-your-information

If you do not receive an email to vote on February 22, 2023, please reach out to Union Rep Rhonda Fisher-Ivie to provide an updated email address @ 206-436-6584.

JOIN THE VOTE INFORMATION MEETING ON ZOOM!
Tuesday, February 21
Drop in between 4pm—6pm
Contact Union Rep Rhonda for meeting details

REMEMBER: It is important to attend this Zoom meeting to review the travel group pods and have your questions answered.

Central Washington Hospital - Confluence Health Proposed New Job Classification; Vote Scheduled

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Confluence has proposed a modification to the Radiology Tech job classification by adding three new positions and creating additional wage scales.

Because it is a change to our contract, we will need to have the affected members vote on the change.

All affected members in good standing are encouraged to vote “Yes” on Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm in Conference Room A.

You will be provided with the complete proposal and wage scale at the vote. You must be in good standing and present to vote.

February 23, 2023

11:30AM - 1:00PM

Conference Room A

Card Kingdom We are holding on core issues —it’s time for Management to step up!

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Card Kingdom

We are holding on core issues —it’s time for Management to step up!

After our Bargaining Team sent over a full collective bargaining agreement proposal (including wages, benefits, and non-economic language), Card Kingdom offered little or no improvements from current working conditions.

Our Bargaining Team responded with a strong counter position and are holding on core issues important to membership. It’s time for Card Kingdom to make significant movement on their next economic counter!

Our Contract Action Team is gearing up to take action so that we get the contract we deserve. If you are interested in being engaged in the Contract Action Team, please reach out to your Union Rep Dominick Ojeda at 360-409-0595 (call or text).

The fight is on!

In Solidarity,

Our Union Bargaining Team:

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)

Labcorp - February Update

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After working so hard and being so understaffed for years, and after LabCorp refused to renegotiate your wages to recruit and retain staff, the time is drawing near to address your needs through the bargaining process. In a few months, your colleagues will sit across the table (or virtually) from management to negotiate your wages, staffing, healthcare, and so much more for the next three years.

BUT! Great contracts are not won at the bargaining table, they are won in your workplaces!

Join your colleagues for a virtual meeting on Sunday, February 19 at 10 AM or 6:30 PM to strategize your plan to win substantial wage increases and improvements to your benefits and working conditions. We’ll discuss what must be done if you are to win the crucial improvements you need and deserve. To really build enough power to move management at the negotiating table, your coworkers should join you as well. If you’re unable to attend Sunday’s meeting, please call Christie to set up a one-on-one, or a group to learn what must be done. We can meet in person, virtually, or even over the phone!

Join your coworkers for a virtual meeting!

Sunday, February 19

  • 10:00 AM

  • 6:30 PM

Contact your Union Rep Christie Harris for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.

Finally, your mandatory overtime grievance is headed to Federal Arbitration this month!

The contract says that they cannot mandate overtime for chronic short-staffing reasons yet LabCorp continues to violate this right that you worked so hard for! We’ll keep you posted.

Does management tell you that it’s the union’s fault that they cannot give you a raise? Nothing could be further from the truth! Ask for a merit raise and show them this language from your contract,

“9.4.1 Additional merit increases may be given at the discretion of the Employer, in addition to, but not in replacement of, 9.4 above.”

Here’s the link to your entire contract, call your rep if you’d like a hard copy.

Did you know that you’re allowed to talk about your union and your working conditions on the clock? This is federal law and is also protected by the federal courts! As long as your speech doesn’t interfere with your work, you may talk about wages, staffing, building power, your upcoming contract negotiations and so much more. Call Christie if you have any questions.

Call Christie Harris anytime you have a question, a concern, or if you simply want to learn more about your union and your rights and benefits!

Your Union Rep, Christie Harris:

(206) 436-6606 (landline)

I’m always happy to talk!

Lourdes Medical Center Techs New Three Year Contract Ratified at 100%

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Left to right: Melinda McBee, Pharmacy Tech “Stay Positive, Work Hard, Make a Difference”; David Coomes, Surgical Tech “Get involved become part of the solution”; Shahna Airoldi Ultrasound Tech “Get educated on your contract. It is power”; Robert Roy Respiratory Therapist “I have learned a lot through this process and am eager and willing to learn MORE”, Juanita Quezada, Union Representative;Monica Cacioppo, Pharmacy Tech “It is the U and I in Union that makes us STRONG”; Francisco Ramon-Montoya, Rehab “You will never win if you never begin”; Jorge Rodriquez, Surgical Tech not pictured

This contract Includes:

  • Secure across the bargaining unit wage increase for all members each year of the contract and retro back to January 1, 2023

  • Improvements throughout the scale wages.

  • Increase PTO hours max accrual bank.

  • Improvement to rest between shift language

  • Improvements to premium pays

  • Provides process to increase wages mid-contract

  • New membership language that will build power within the medical center.

  • New step increase practice to improve the process of getting increases.

On Tuesday January 31, 2023 represented employees at Lourdes Medical Center showed up in Super Majority numbers to sign up to become UFCW 3000 members and vote on our new contract. Our Bargaining Team would like to thank everyone that showed up to vote and remind everyone to check your paychecks frequently. Remember: now the hard work of enforcing the contract begins.

If you have questions, please reach out to our Bargaining Team members or Union Representative Juanita Quezada at 509-340-7407. If you have a potential grievance please reach out to the MEMBER RESOURCE CENTER at 1-866-210-3000

Macy’s UFCW 5 fights hard and wins a strong contract —We’re next

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Workers at Macy’s West Coast Union Square flagship store in San Francisco have ratified a new contract, averting a threatened open-ended strike. The agreement will run through May 31, 2025.

The deal comes after nearly eight months of negotiations and a two-day strike just prior to Christmas Day. Highlights of the settlement include wage increases totaling $1.50 an hour, a ratification bonus of up to $1,200, severance pay of up to 52 weeks for employees who leave the company, new health and safety language and the maintenance of existing seniority rights; one of the most contentious issues at the bargaining table.

“Our members made it clear to the company that they were united in their determination to take whatever action was necessary, including a long strike, to win the contract that they deserved from a very profitable company,” said UFCW Local 5 President John Nunes. “The two-day strike demonstrated that we were serious and that consumers were behind us. Now our members look forward to putting this chapter behind them and continuing to offer the high-quality San Francisco shopping experience that Macy’s customers have come to expect.”

“The members at UFCW5 are fighting for what we all at Macy’s are fighting for, better pay, safer stores and dignity and respect on the job. When I visited the bargaining table this Monday for UFCW5 members it was clear to me that the issues are the same whether you work at a Macy’s in San Francisco or in the Puget Sound. I am proud to stand with San Francisco Macy’s worker and their fight for a better contract and I know when it comes time for us to fight, they will stand with us.” -Liisa Luick, Macy’s Alderwood WA, UFCW 3000

We are currently working with the employer to secure bargaining dates. Our contract expires on February 17.

Update your info! ufcw3000.org/update-your-information

Don’t miss out on important information like bargaining updates, Your Voice surveys, contract votes, union benefits, events and more!

Watch: Albertsons-Kroger Merger Update Webinar

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Attention all UFCW 3000 Grocery Store Members at QFC, Fred Meyer, Albertsons, Safeway and Haggen
 
Ever since the day in mid-October when Kroger and Albertsons announced they were proposing to merge, we have been taking action to protect grocery store workers and our customers. What are all the threats of the merger and what actions have we taken already to protect jobs and community? Please watch the webinar above on the proposed Albertsons/Kroger merger to learn more about the activities our local union, in coordination with a handful of other UFCW locals, has been doing since the announcement. While much is still not known about what specifically these companies propose, it is clear that the proposed mega-merger would impact workers’ jobs, our shoppers and our communities.

Take the Proposed Merger Survey >>



Sunrise Dental - Union Bargaining for a New Contract Has Begun!

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After months of trying to get dates on the calendar, Bargaining Team Members met with Management and gave a full contract proposal including increases to wages and additional vacation and holidays.

Management seemed receptive and we anticipate a response from them soon!

Bargaining Team members included Linda Thomas from Olympia and Mark Jafari from Bellevue.

If you or one of your coworkers are not getting emails, your information may need to be updated:

ufcw3000.org/update-your-information

For additional information, contact your rep or visit our website at ufcw3000.org

Evergreenhealth Monroe - Evergreenhealth Has a Problem with Retention and Recruitment Due to Non-Competitive Wages

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Your voices have been heard and your bargaining team has been working diligently bringing your most important issues to the table.

We have worked countless days to convince Management of your worth.

Management let us know early on that they were struggling and that wage increases may be low.

They also said the employer cost of health insurance has gone up so significantly that we will probably have to change plans after 2023.

Management’s first wage proposal was less than 6% spread out over two years. We proposed a three year contract with wages totaling more than 20% over three years.

Management has now come back to the table with a better proposal on wages. But we’re not there yet.

Support your contract! Let Management know they need to pay a fair and competitive wage!

If you have questions, please reach out to your bargaining team members or Union Representative Sharra Oakley

soakley@ufcw3000.org

“I feel they do not value us for the service we provide to keep the hospital open.”

— Patty Romero, Bargaining Team Member

“We want to be able to give the kind of care that EHM advertises for the Recovery Center. We build better communities one patient at a time.”

— Rosemary Holm Mitchell, Bargaining Team Member

Senate Bill 5259: Protecting Workers from Impacts of Retail Theft

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On January 26, 2023, the Senate Labor Committee heard Senate Bill 5259, a bill we’ve worked on to address the impacts of retail theft on our members and our workplaces. UFCW 3000 members have been raising the safety and financial issues around retail theft for years now, and members in grocery and retail said that tackling retail theft and ensuring workplace safety were top legislative priorities for 2023. SB 5259 would prohibit discipline of a grocery worker who engages during a situation of retail theft, and UFCW 3000 members and staff testified in support during the committee hearing.

Watch UFCW 3000 members’ testimony below!

“I wasn’t given any kind of training on what the manager wanted me to do to ‘intervene’ here, but I felt like I needed to follow his instructions or I would lose my job. In fact, in this case, following his instructions got me fired because when I did in fact intervene here, I lost my job for violating company policy by intervening with this woman. Instead of being required to take preventative measures to deter this kind of theft, Fred Meyer punished me for doing what should be their job. I hope we can get the committee support for SB 5259 so this doesn’t happen to another worker in this industry again.” -Suzanne Geffre, Fred Meyer, Richland

“While protecting workers, this legislation will not mitigate all the harms to me and my coworkers from retail theft. We think it will go a long way in ensuring our members feel empowered to make their jobs safer. From 2018 to 2020, the number of assaults reported to the FBI rose 42% overall, but by 63% in grocery stores. And in 2021, more than half of mass shooter incidents were in places of commerce. We need your help! Violent attacks are going to continue regardless of what you do this year to protect our jobs. We know what type of deterrence works, and that is to deliver the best possible customer service to every customer. This legislation will ensure we can do that without fearing we will lose our job and we need you to pass it in 2023.” -Naomi Oligario, Safeway, Port Orchard

“Our daily loss is listed by the time clock in our stores. Between when I started to now, that daily loss number has gone from in the hundreds to now thousands. Daily. It doesn’t seem fair to me that the theft the grocery companies do nothing to deter affects my department profit numbers, for which I’m then held accountable. At my Safeway we are told that we have to have our counters full and ready for customers by a set time every day, but it’s hard to do that when a customer walks in and fills up a cart with meat and walks out without paying. I know that as a manager in my Seafood department, if I could simply walk up to a customer who was doing this, to ask them if they need help, it would be a deterrence. Our stores need to have effective deterrence because workers in our stores like me are held to account for the store’s failure to deter theft.” -Anna McAllister, Safeway, Kent

Sarah Cherin, Executive Vice President of UFCW 3000, speaks to the committee about members’ experiences with retail theft.

Debbie Gath, with Teamsters Local 38, talks about her work as a Union Rep helping members facing discipline or termination.

YOU CAN TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT THIS BILL:

Email Your Lawmakers in Support of SB 5259
WATCH the full COMMITTEE HEARING ON THIS BILL
Track this bill through the state legislature

MultiCare Covington Medical Center - Respect us, Protect us and Pay us!

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After months of being at a standstill with bargaining, we had a great, productive day. We proposed all our non-economic proposals, sent over our first wage proposals and received Management’s first counter. We are hopeful that Management will do the right thing and respect us, protect us and pay us!

“We have achieved and come to agreements on many of our non-economic language proposals. While not in agreement on everything, we have made a lot of progress!” -Ken Farrell, Charge RN PCU

“We hope Management realizes adequate staffing saves lives!” -Lolita Edge, CS Tech

“Every job class is important and essential to patient care and the function of the hospital. We all deserve to have good benefits and wages!” -Luz Martinez, Patient Care Tech

“It’s time for Management to realize that competitive wages, benefits and a safe working environment are vital to recruitment and retention.” -Faith Soriano-Miller, Charge Rn PCU

Kronos Outage Update —Last year there was a Kronos outage and Management overpaid many of us and then took money out of our paychecks. Our union in partnership with the other unions sued Multicare and won the lawsuit. However, now MultiCare has rejected the courts ruling and is in the process of appealing the Judges decision. We have demanded dates to bargain with Management and continue to work to find a resolution.

Staffing —While we are fighting for strong staffing language at the bargaining table, we also recognize staffing is a huge issue everywhere. We need to continue to elevate the pressure by submitting official complaints to state agencies and fight to pass legislation on staffing. Go to these links and Fill out these staffing forms when you are short staffed.

Collaborative Staffing Intervention (CSI) Report unsafe staffing and/or missed breaks and lunches.

DOSH Complaint —Report safety issues and/or hazardous working conditions directly to the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).

DOH Complaint —Report unsafe staffing directly to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). We encourage members who file a DOH complaint to also follow-up with a CSI report, ensuring the hospital as a record of the issue.

File CSI & DOSH ▸ufcw3000.org/csi

We’re Telling Our Legislators: Safe Staffing Standards Can’t Wait

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After supporting our communities through three years of a pandemic, staffing in our hospitals is worse than ever. We know we don’t have a shortage of healthcare workers; we have a shortage of healthcare workers who are willing to work in these conditions. That’s why we’re calling on the legislature to pass a comprehensive law that puts patient safety and healthcare workers first.

Senate Bill 5236 calling for safe staffing standards was introduced in the Washington State legislature and had its first public hearing Jan. 17. The bill includes:

  • Safe staffing standards including maximum patient assignments

  • Adequate enforcement of staffing laws

  • Expanded protections for overtime and breaks

  • Protecting our rights to staffing committees and expanding them to be inclusive of the entire care team

 

Healthcare workers’ voices are critical!

Email your legislator. As constituents and union members, we know that direct communication with our elected representatives is one of the most effective ways to advocate for change. Send a message using our online advocacy tool:

Email your senator now
 

IN OLYMPIA:

The state Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce heard public testimony in support of SB 5236

“Less than one year ago I provided testimony on HB 1868 hoping this state would pass a law ensuring nurses and patients had safe healthcare environments – instead, staffing got worse. Not because this state isn’t educating enough nurses. The shortage is not nurses, the shortage is safe work environments. No amount of money can keep nurses repeatedly experiencing moral injury and burnout.” - Kelli Johnson, RN, Providence Regional Medical Center, Everett

 

“I have served on the staffing committee at our hospital for many years and have chaired that committee for the last year and a half. I am here to tell you it is infuriating to sit in committee month after month, year after year and see how our staffing guidelines are breached every single day on many units a day leaving nurses in untenable, dangerous and heartbreaking situations.” - Nonie Kingma, RN, Sacred Heart Hospital, Spokane

 

“Implementing safe staffing standards in every Washington hospital is the one thing that will make patient care safe again and keep healthcare workers like me at the bedside. Patient care is devastated, and that’s devastating for those of us at the bedside. Where I work, folks’ fingers are on the send button to resign. They are ready to move to outpatient care, retire — frankly, anything else. This bill makes working in a hospital safe again. This bill is what will keep and bring healthcare workers back to the beside.” - Melissa Swetland Leaptrot, RN, St. Anne Hospital, Burien

A person speaking in front of a bookshelf

Lourdes Medical Center / Lifepoint - Tentative Agreement Reached—Vote Scheduled!

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After just 8 sessions of bargaining, your Bargaining Team is recommending a YES vote on the proposed new 3-year contract with Lourdes Medical Center.

This contract will: 

  • Secure across the bargaining unit wage increase for all members each year of the contract and retro back to January 1, 2023

  • Improvements throughout the wage scale

  • Increase PTO hours max accrual bank

  • Improvement to rest between shift language

  • Improvements to premium pays

  • Provides process to increase wages mid-contract

  • New membership language that will build power within the medical center

  • New step increase practice to improve the process of getting increases

Members will need to be in good standing and attend the vote in person. You can also sign up to become a member at the vote.

Join us in voting “YES” at one of these three meetings!

Tuesday, January 31, 2023 

  • 6:00am to 8:00am

  • 11:00am to 1:00pm

  • 4:00pm to 6:00pm 

in the Farley Room

Your bargaining team will be present to answer any questions and complete documents will be provided at the vote for review.

If you have questions, please reach out to your bargaining team members or Union Representative Juanita Quezada at 509-340-7407.

  • Melinda McBee, Pharmacy Tech

  • Jorge Rodriquez, Surgical Tech: “We worked very hard to accomplish the most for all!”

  • Shahna Airoldi, Ultrasound Tech

  • Juanita Quezada, Union Representative

  • David Coomes, Surgical Tech “The greater the obstacle is the greater the

  • Francisco Ramon-Montoya, Rehab: “You will never win if you never begin!”

  • Monica Cacioppo, Pharmacy Tech

  • Robert Roy, Respiratory Tech

Cascade Valley Hospital - New Contract Ratified!

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On January 17, 2023 YOUR new contract with 100% YES votes, was ratified!

Thank you for coming out, voting on YOUR contract, and ensuring YOUR voice is heard. Your new wage increases will go into effect two pay periods after the Skagit Regional Health Board Ratifies the contract!

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Union Representative, Celia Ponce-Sanchez at CPoncesanchez@ufcw3000.org or by phone at: (360) 419-4678

Aramark - We have reached a tentative agreement! It’s time to vote! ¡Hemos llegado a un acuerdo tentativo! ¡Es hora de votar!

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After months of bargaining, we were able to reach a tentative agreement with Aramark. We were able to win competitive wage increases and slowdown the increase to health insurance premiums. We will be holding a contract vote at all three Aramark plants next week.  UFCW 3000 members in good standing are encouraged to attend a meeting, ask questions, and vote on the contract. Contact a Bargaining Team member or your Union Representative for any questions.

Your bargaining committee is recommending a “YES” vote! 

Wednesday, January 25

  • Aramark Kent breakroom from 9am to 11am 

  • Aramark Tacoma breakroom from 11am to 12pm 

Thursday January 26

  • Aramark Everett breakroom from 9am to 11am 

Después de meses de negociación, pudimos llegar a un acuerdo tentativo con Aramark. Pudimos ganar aumentos salariales competitivos y disminuir el aumento a las deducciones del seguro médico. Tendremos un voto para el contrato en las tres plantas de Aramark la próxima semana. Miembros de UFCW 3000 que están al día con sus cuotas de Unión pueden asistir una reunión, hacer preguntas y votar sobre el contrato. Póngase en contacto con un miembro del Equipo de Negociación o su Representante del Sindicato para cualquier duda.

¡Su comité de negociación está recomendando un voto “SÍ”!

Miércoles 25 de enero

  • Aramark Kent comedor de 9am a 11am

  • Aramark Tacoma comedor de 11am a 12pm

Jueves 26 de enero

  • Aramark Everett comedor de 9am a 11am

Welcome to our Union Seattle Kraken Team Store workers

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Welcome to UFCW 3000 Seattle Kraken Team Store workers! After Mariners retail workers joined our union in September, the team made a thrilling playoff run—will the Kraken follow suit? When we fight, we all win!

With Mariners and Kraken Team Stores now union, that’s 200 new good union jobs in our city’s sports stadiums. Together we will be fighting to raise wages and improve standards for workers who support our favorite sports teams. Congratulations to all!

Intrested in forming a union in your workplace?


UFCW Local Unions Disappointed by Washington State Supreme Court Ruling to Allow Albertsons Massive $4 Billion Dividend as Part of Proposed Mega Merger

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UFCW Local Unions React to Washington State Supreme Court Decision on Massive $4 Billion Albertsons Dividend as Part of Proposed Mega Merger

Jointly Issued Press Statement by :
UFCW 3000 of WA & Northern ID
UFCW 400 of MD, DC, VA, WV, KY, OH, & TN
UFCW  7 of CO & WY
UFCW 770 of Southern CA
UFCW 5 of Northern CA
UFCW 324 of Orange County, CA and Southern Los Angeles County
UFCW 367 of South Puget Sound, WA
Teamsters 38 of Snohomish Country, WA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2023

Contact: Tom Geiger, UFCW 3000, 206-604-3421

UFCW Local Unions Disappointed by Washington State Supreme Court Ruling to Allow Albertsons Massive $4 Billion Dividend as Part of Proposed Mega Merger

“We are disappointed to see a ruling that favors a small number of ultra-wealthy shareholders over the many thousands of essential workers and millions of Americans who will be left to suffer the consequences of the outright financial looting of Albertsons. Despite this setback that allows the $4 billion dividend to be issued, the delay allowed the United States Senate to scrutinize the dividend payment as well as the mega-merger, and alerted the public to the disastrous consequences if the merger were to go through. We applaud Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson and his staff for their efforts fighting to protect our members and the communities we serve. Our unions will not stop working to protect our members and our communities from the harmful impacts of this proposed mega-merger of Kroger and Albertsons. It is now even more important that the Federal Trade Commission take swift and decisive action to block the acquisition.”

Background:

From the first day the proposed merger was announced, UFCW Local 5, UFCW Local 7, UFCW Local 324, UFCW Local 367, UFCW Local 400, UFCW Local 770, UFCW Local 1442, UFCW Local 3000 and Teamsters 38 have been taking action to intervene and stop this devastating deal. 

On November 1st, Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a lawsuit in state court seeking to stop the payout and a temporary restraining order was granted through December 9th.

On Tuesday November 29 the US Senate Judiciary Subcommittee held a hearing to scrutinize the proposed Kroger/Albertsons mega merger, along with an alarming, up to $4 billion “special dividend” announced by Albertsons in connection with the merger agreement. In a letter to the Federal Trade Commission urging the agency to intervene, more than two dozen antitrust experts and local unions representing Albertsons’ workers decried the payout as “nothing less than an out-and-out looting of the company” and a brazen attempt to destabilize the company ahead of regulatory review of the merger. 

On December 9th, the Superior Court Judge in King County Washington ruled against issuing a preliminary injunction, but delayed the effect of the decision until December 19th to allow time for an appeal by the WA AG to be considered by the State Supreme Court. On December 16th, the WA State Supreme Court issued a ruling granting the State AG’s Injunctive Relief and extended the Temporary Restraining Order on the Albertsons dividend until further order of the court.

# # #

Senate Hearing on Safe Staffing Law a Huge Success!

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Watch UFCW 3000 member Kelli Johnson, Providence Everett ER nurse, speak to state senators about the importance of safe staffing standards.

This week UFCW 3000 members and our allies at SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and WSNA, along with community supporters, made our presence known at the State Capitol during a state senate hearing on Safe Staffing bill SB 5236. Health care workers testified during the committee hearing and met with lawmakers to ensure they know how desperate the staffing crisis is—and how important it is to pass statewide safe staffing standards now.

Watch the Full Hearing

“Less than one year ago I provided testimony on House Bill 1868 hoping the state would pass a law ensuring nurses and patients have a safe healthcare environment. Instead, staffing got worse,” said UFCW 3000 member and Providence Everett emergency RN Kelli Johnson to the senate committee. “The shortage is not nurses, the shortage is safe work environments. No amount of money can keep nurses repeatedly experiencing moral injury and burnout, two of the top three reasons nurses leave the profession.”

We are not alone: Firefighters, mental health advocates, rare disease patient advocates, and others also testified in support. And more than 2,000 people signed in “Pro” in support of the bill, more than twice as many as those opposed!

Take action to support SB 5236:

Email your lawmakers
Share your staffing experience