Location: Winco Foods Kennewick,
4602 W Clearwater Ave, Kennewick WA 99336
Date: Monday, May 22, 2023
Times: 10:00 AM—11:00 AM and 1:00 PM — 2:00 PM
Highlights Include:
Above area standard wage increases
Added Retirement Security
Affordable Health & Welfare
If you have any questions, please contact your Union Rep Rob Roundy at 509-943-8923.
Our Bargaining Team: Justy Hedrick, CT Scanning; Anna Hennager, Resp Therapy; Chris Dizon, Echocardiology; Desiree Huttinger, Cardiology; Kimberly Mitchell, Surgery/ Labor and Delivery; Jennifer Bradshaw, Mammography; Kevin Daly, Lab; David Dimalanta, Radiology; James Kerr, Surgery/OR
Monday, May 8, our Union Bargaining Team met with Management. The Team has given many proposals to Management, both proposals with an economic impact and those which improve or clarify existing contract language, making the contract better for workers AND Management.
During Monday’s bargaining session, Team members let Management know that their coworkers were disappointed that Management had still not responded to any Union proposals.
Management replied with a firm, disrespectful statement saying that they were not going to counter any proposals given so far and wanted to see everything economic as well as non-economic before giving anything back. The Union Team stayed strong through this, challenging management’s statement and their attitude!
For additional information, contact a Bargaining Team Member or Union Representative Jack Crow 206-436-6614.
Location: Ray’s Meats,
2113 S 3rd Ave, Yakima, WA 98903
Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Times: 10:00 AM—11:00 AM and 4:00 PM — 5:00 PM
Highlights Include:
Significant Wage Increases
Affordable Health & Welfare
If you have any questions, please contact your Union Rep Pedro Nunez at 509-944-6036.
The Presidents of SEIU 1199NW, UFCW 3000, and WSNA speak to the huge victory for patients, communities and nurses with the new Safe Staffing Law, the need for nurses and communities to hold hospital administrations accountable to the new law, and a much deserved celebration for this victory. Watch the Video:
The Presidents of SEIU 1199NW, UFCW 3000, and WSNA
Today Our Union Bargaining Team had more productive conversations around staffing plans and movement within staffing language. Providence went from staffing ratios being a non-starter to having deeper conversations around what staffing should look like at Providence and we are anticipating language that both parties can agree on.
Our discussions around staffing included talking in great length about staffing committee language and the role that the committee will play in improving patient care and safety throughout the hospital. We had discussions around retention and Providence stated that retention is also a priority for them but have yet to commit to any language that supports retention.
— Kristen Crowder
PRMCE
DAY FOUR BARGAINING UPDATE
Today Providence came back with economic responses to our last proposals, including wages and responses to our staffing ratio language. It was clear from the Nurses who completed the Union Bargaining Survey that staffing and having confidence in administration to make efforts to adhere to staffing plans, is our number one priority. But Providence still has not countered or discussed with our Union Bargaining Team the staffing ratios that we proposed multiple times. We have reminded Providence that staffing ratios are a priority, and we are encouraging Providence to agree with our counter.
— Our Union Bargaining Team
Our Bargaining Team: Paul Harris, ER Tech; Chris Young, Transport; Don Szabo, Lead Medical Imaging; Rob Shauger, CNA 8th floor; Angela Roberson, Heart and Vascular; Connie Baker, RT; Kain McLeod, Pharm Technician
Bargaining continues, but it is slow. We have made proposals that would protect all our coworkers and help us recruit and retain qualified workers. Management fails to listen to our concerns and address our needs. We are frustrated and disappointed that instead of seeking to find mutually beneficial solutions, they have threatened our union security and healthcare benefits. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! We work hard day in and day out taking care of patients and our community, but management proposes language that would harm us instead of strengthen us. Management needs to listen, and give us what we deserve; Better Pay, Better staffing and More Respect!
We believe it is vital that Management listens to our concerns and gives us the respect and support we deserve. We are asking for better pay, better staffing levels, and more respect at work. These are reasonable requests that would benefit not only us but our patients and the community we serve.
We need your support now more than ever—if you believe that it is time for Management to respect and protect us, please sign the petition calling on them to do the right thing at the bargaining table. Your voice is essential in helping us to achieve a fair and equitable contract that benefits everyone.
“The cost of living has gone up and their wage proposals are not competitive and keep us below the market.”
— Rob Shauger
“Inflation is not an imposition, it’s an opportunity to work more—don’t get more money, just work more—that’s Management theory.”
— Paul Harris
“Management continues to try and divide us by stating, ‘nurses are more valuable because their skillsets cover everyone.’ It’s time for them to recognize that we are all valuable for our skill to make the patient healthcare team, we all work hard to take care of our patients.”
— Connie Baker
Meet Astrid Kryger from the North Bend QFC. Astrid has been getting more involved with her union recently after the announcement of the Kroger/Albertsons mega-merger. The impacts of that merger could cause food prices to further inflate, and cause stores to close displacing workers.
Read More
Our Bargaining Team:
Vanessa Rosadino, Dietary Caterer
Christy Sammons, EVS Relief
Susan Meyer, Dietary Cook
Pam Reese, EVS Discharge
After many months of bargaining, we finally have a tentative agreement. We worked hard to get a contract that works for all! We won historic wage increases that can help recruit and retain qualified staff!
We also won:
New wage scales and job classifications
Filled in all ghost steps
Pay for call in advance of shift
Management will pay for certifications including food handler’s card!
Pandemic Language
And other great wins!
“We did it! We are DONE!!!”
— Pam Reese
“This is a historic contract. I have never seen such high percentages in my 20 years of working here! “
— Susan Meyer
“I am so happy for our new contract. We worked really hard and we got a successful contract and we encourage everyone to vote YES!”
— Vanessa Rosadino
“We worked really hard to get a contract that will help us recruit and retain new workers! “
— Christy Sammons
Please keep stay tune for more information about vote times so you can vote on your new contract!
If you have any questions, please reach out to your Bargaining Team.
Our Union Bargaining Team met with Management last on March 23, more than an entire month ago. We tried to work with the Employer to get dates in April, but they were not quick to respond to our proposed dates until it was too late. Now that we finally have confirmed four bargaining sessions in the month of May with more scheduled in June.
Workers have been ramping up the pressure in the meantime by wearing our “Respect, Protect, Pay” buttons while at work. Wearing your button has shown both customers and Management that we deserve a fair union contract, and this is just the beginning!
Learn more about what you can do to win a fair contract by attending your Contract Action Team Meeting next week:
Alderwood: Wednesday, May 10 @ 3PM—4PM
Elemental Pizza, 3000 184th St SW #948, Lynnwood, WA
Southcenter: Tuesday May 9 @ 11AM – 2PM
Southcenter Mall Food Court, 2800 Southcenter Mall, Seattle, WA
Our Union Bargaining Team met with Management last on March 23, more than an entire month ago. We tried to work with the Employer to get dates in April, but they were not quick to respond to our proposed dates until it was too late. Now that we finally have confirmed four bargaining sessions in the month of May with more scheduled in June.
Workers have been ramping up the pressure in the meantime by wearing our “Respect, Protect, Pay” buttons while at work. Wearing your button has shown both customers and Management that we deserve a fair union contract, and this is just the beginning!
Learn more about what you can do to win a fair contract by attending your Contract Action Team Meeting next week:
Southcenter Gallery and Furniture Store
Monday, May 8 @ 10AM—11am
For Zoom meeting details, contact Union Rep Dominick Ojeda @ 206-436-6586
UFCW 3000 Press Release
For Immediate Release: May 3, 2023
Contact: Tom Geiger, 206-604-3421
Workers Win Case for Wearing Black Lives Matter Buttons on the Job –
Fred Meyer and QFC (both Kroger-owned stores) Must Allow Workers to Wear Their Buttons
In a clear statement of the rights of workers to wear buttons and other materials such as masks at work, as part of collective, concerted activity, the Administrative Law Judge, from the National Labor Relations Board Division of Judges in San Francisco today ruled in favor of UFCW 3000’s case for workers wearing Black Lives Matter buttons and ruled against Fred Meyer’s attempts to curtail that right.
Finding in favor of the Union’s core argument that the workers’ actions were protected under Federal labor law because racism is a workplace issue, Administrative Law Judge Mara-Louise Anzalone wrote in their decision that, “by collectively displaying the ‘Black Lives Matter’ message on their work uniforms, the employees in this case acted to advance their interest—as employees—to an affirmatively anti-racist, pro-civil rights, and pro-justice workplace.”
The judge’s ruling also struck down the Employers’ overly broad dress codes.
The ALJ’s decision essentially agreed with earlier findings in this case going back to the September of 2022 finding of Region 19 of the National Relations Labor Board (NLRB) that Fred Meyer and QFC violated federal labor law when they prohibited workers from wearing union-sponsored Black Lives Matter buttons. There was a lengthy trial before the ALJ when Kroger refused to reach a settlement agreement. The decision by the ALJ was issued today and is subject to appeal to the NLRB in Washington DC.
Sam Dancy outside of his QFC in the summer of 2020
“It feels good to win again! When we as workers speak out through these buttons and collectively say Black Lives Matter and then QFC and Fred Meyer said to take the buttons off, that was insulting and a violation of the law. We knew all along we had the right to call out social and racial injustice in the workplace and in our neighborhoods and this judge’s decision reiterates that right,” said Sam Dancy a Front End Supervisor at the Westwood Village QFC in West Seattle, WA who has worked for QFC for over 30 years.
UFCW 3000 President Faye Guenther concluded, “It is important that workers’ rights and legal standards be protected. Kroger, the owner QFC and Fred Meyer continues to be a problem and needs to do a better job of hiring and promoting workers who are Black at every level of the company and making it clear that it will not tolerate racism from customers or employees.”
Background
After Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd on May 25, 2020, many UFCW 21 members working in grocery and retail stores chose to express their opposition to racism at work and in the community by wearing face masks (otherwise worn for protection from COVID) or other items bearing the Black Lives Matter slogan.
Although Kroger issued public statements expressing sympathy with the Black Lives Matter movement, managers at Kroger-owned stores in Western Washington started ordering UFCW 21 members to remove Black Lives Matter masks in August 2020.
UFCW 21 responded to the company’s Black Lives Matter ban by collaborating with Fred Meyer and QFC workers to distribute union-sponsored Black Lives Matter buttons with the UFCW 21 logo. When managers banned the Union buttons, UFCW 21 filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board. Kroger’s ban and the Union response received widespread local and national attention. In September of 2021, Region 19 of the NLRB ruled in favor of the UFCW 3000 grocery store workers. The case was unable to reach a settlement and therefore went to trial in April of 2022 before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who today ruled in the favor of the workers and found Kroger’s Fred Meyer and QFC were in the wrong and had violated the workers’ rights. As a result of the ruling, the workers will be allowed to wear the buttons.
UFCW 3000 represents over 50,000 workers at grocery stores, retail, healthcare, and other industry jobs.
On Tuesday May 2, members in the technical bargaining unit at St. Joseph Medical Center overwhelmingly voted to ratify their new collective bargaining agreement!
Our new contract includes some of the highest pay in the region, a completely revamped wage scale with no ghost steps, a historic $1.00/hr increase to standby pay, and much more. Other than our pay increases, which will go into effect no later than two pay periods after ratification, all provisions of our new contract are now in effect!
After contracts have been voted on and ratified by the membership, the process of review between the union and the employer begins. This is a process is to ensure all new changes are incorporated into the agreement. This can take time, but is necessary for accuracy, we will post the contract on our website as soon as the review process is finished. In the meantime, you can find a redlined version at ufcw3000.org!
On April 28, we bargained with EvergreenHealth Management and are continuing to propose changes that will strengthen our contract and improve working conditions. Management has not provided any response to our proposals.
Compensation and staffing are the primary focuses and are essential to retention and recruitment.
We need to make EvergreenHealth competitive with other local hospitals. Our next bargaining date is Monday, May 8.
EvergreenHealth Bargaining Team: Justy Hedrick, CT Scanning; Anna Hennager, Resp Therapy; Chris Dizon, Echocardiology; Desiree Huttinger, Cardiology; Kimberly Mitchell, Surgery/ Labor and Delivery; Jennifer Bradshaw, Mammography; Kevin Daly, Lab; David Dimalanta, Radiology; James Kerr, Surgery/OR
QUESTIONS? Reach out to one of our Bargaining Team members or Union Rep Jack Crow @ 206-436-6614.
Communication is key! If you know someone who is not receiving these updates, they can join the loop by going to: ufcw3000.org/update-your-information
Your UFCW 3000 delegation to the 9th International Union Convention.
Every 5 years, the UFCW International Union holds a convention where union leaders from across the country meet to discuss the future of our union and help set its direction for growth. The 9th UFCW International Convention was held in Las Vegas last week. UFCW 3000’s delegates, elected directly by the membership of our union, proposed a slate of amendments and resolutions to create a stronger UFCW.
The purpose of any union is to build collective worker power to improve safety, wages, working conditions, and to amplify the voices of workers in our workplaces and communities. To do this on a local and national level UFCW must be accountable to its members- the essential workers who showed up every day so our communities could get the prescriptions, groceries, medical care, and of course toilet paper they needed during the lockdowns of the pandemic.
Our diverse slate of member delegates were able to make their voices heard by taking to the podiums and addressing the convention directly about the importance of reforming our UFCW union. At a convention known for speeches by top union officers, UFCW 3000’s speakers were exclusively workers in our local from a spectrum of work locations and background including Grocery Stores, Hospitals and Clinics, Cannabis industry, Retail clothing and Drug Stores, Food Processing, Laundry, and Textile workers.
UFCW 3000 Delegates Zion Grae-El, Maggie Breshears, and Jeff Terpening at the mics addressing the convention on proposed Amendments and resolutions.
Together, and with other reform minded UFCW locals, we proposed:
The need for direct elections for members of the International Executive Board; one member, one vote!
Having rank-and-file representation on the International Executive Board, just like our Executive Board here at UFCW 3000.
Committing more resources to organizing workplaces like Amazon, Walmart, and the healthcare industry.
Capping staff salaries to free up more money for member representation.
And 1st Day Strike Pay!
UFCW 3000 Delegates at the Mics adressing the convention. From Left to right and then Top to Bottome, Jeff Smith, Andy Dusablon, Monalisa Bauman, Sam Dancy, and Rob Shauger.
It was a long week, but our delegation and the delegations from other reform-minded locals won important victories including:
Stop the Merger: After six months of many UFCW Locals, including UFCW 3000, opposing the Kroger/Albertsons mega-merger, UFCW International has filed a complaint with the SEC to stop the merger.
Strike Pay Reform: Newly organized workers can now get strike benefits and UFCW Union strike benefits for workers will start on the 8th day instead of the 15th day of a strike. This is significant progress towards our 1st Day Strike Pay goal.
Health Care Division: UFCW will finally be forming a health care division to ensure that these workers have a stronger voice in our union!
Prioritize Safety: Making the safety of essential workers a priority in all contract negotiations so we can win and enforce strong safety regulations and safeguards.
A Voice on the E-Board: Constituency groups such as UFCW Women’s Network, Minority Coalition, OutReach, and United Latino’s, will now have a liaison on the international Executive board.
Resolutions were passed in strong support of: Medicare for All, rights to reproductive health care, gender-affirming healthcare, affordable housing, racial justice, taking action on climate change’s affects on our members, and other important issues to all workers.
At the end of the convention our delegation believes we were able to build unity and solidarity with members from other UFCW locals, and many more are willing to join with us to help make UFCW a member-focused organizing powerhouse! Strong unions are only possible with strong members. Because when we fight, we win!
Online trainings are open to all UFCW 3000 members looking to build a strong union in their workplace. We'll review our basic contractual and legal rights as union members and learn about special rights that apply when we are acting as Shop Stewards.
Des Moines, WA - Today, UFCW 3000, the state’s largest labor union, announced the endorsement of Bob Ferguson for Governor. UFCW 3000 represents over 53,000 workers in grocery stores, health care, retail, food packing/processing, cannabis and several other industries.
“We have worked with Bob Ferguson for many years, and he has consistently been an advocate for working people, standing up for our rights, defending us, and making sure we are protected,” said Kyong Barry, an Albertsons worker and elected UFCW 3000 executive board member who came to the United States as a young child and became a naturalized US citizen in 1999.
"Attorney General Ferguson has taken the time to come and speak in person with hundreds of our member leaders over the years,” added Patricia Brown, a Licensed Practical Nurse at Tacoma General and an elected UFCW 3000 executive board member. “This personal connection has allowed essential workers from across our union to meet him and hear directly from him as to his values and his commitment to upholding the laws of the land and defending the interests of workers, consumers, patients and the community."
The list of Ferguson’s efforts on behalf of working people is too long to fully articulate here, but many of the most important examples include:
Protecting Grocery Store workers and shoppers: Attorney General Ferguson filed a lawsuit against Albertsons to block the $4 Billion pay-out to shareholders as part of the proposed mega-merger of Albertsons and Kroger. This lawsuit delayed the massive pay-out for several months and forced the companies’ executives to testify under oath and make public important details about the proposed merger.
Protecting Immigrant Rights: Attorney General Ferguson was a leader among AGs across the nation defending the rights of people in the US and around the world from an unconstitutional travel ban that discriminated against people of certain religious beliefs or their nation of origin. One of his lawsuits blocked the Trump administration’s decision to rescind DACA, the federal program that protects DREAMers.
Protecting Access to Quality Affordable Health Care: AG Ferguson sued Providence and CHI Franciscans over their lack of proper charity care that resulted in improved access to quality, affordable care for those who qualify for free or low-cost care and allowed them to get access to that care in their communities.
Supported the City of Seattle Minimum wage law when it was challenged in court by business interests. This 2015 case was an important one and helped future advances in the minimum wage law that was passed statewide in 2016.
Filed lawsuits that helped enforce wage theft cases where workers were not being paid appropriately under the law.
Helped our efforts to address Retail Theft concerns and defend the interest of workers who have significant safety and employment security as a result of organized crime’s retail theft in our stores.
Fought for the rights of workers against unfair so-called Non-Compete clauses that harmed workers by constraining their freedom to seek out and find employment.
Attorney General filed lawsuit to protect the rights of those incarcerated at the Tacoma Detention Center who were being paid $1 a day in violation to state wage laws.
Again, these are just some of the highlights of the many actions taken by Ferguson that have demonstrated for over a decade his commitment to UFCW members, and all workers across the state, and indeed all people across the world against those who would trample on our rights.
"We need elected officials like Bob Ferguson and are confident that he would be able to continue to be an advocate for the rights of all Washington workers. He has no qualms about taking on the billionaires and the bullies and we are standing with him in his campaign to become our next Governor,” said Faye Guenther, President of UFCW 3000.
Press contact: Tom Geiger, UFCW 3000, 206-604-3421
Our Bargaining Team:
Cassandra Villarreal, Kimberly Burns, Jenica Barrett
We met with Management for the first time and presented our first set of non-economic proposals that addressed our bargaining priorities, including recruiting and retaining qualified staff through:
Manageable caseloads
Consistent job locations
Supportive time off
Equitable and transparent pay
Supportive onboarding and mentoring
After presenting proposals, Management became very quickly overwhelmed and needed a break. Nevertheless we are committed to working towards a strong and equitable contract for all!
Questions or to find out more about how you can show support, please contact Union Representative Ian Jacobson @ 206-436-6550.
“There were a lot of initial jitters in the room! I’m hopeful we can move to a more natural conversation with Management.”
— Jenica Barrett,Speech Language Pathologist
“It was an exciting first day of bargaining! We’re in for quite an adventure. It’s a privilege to negotiate on behalf of my colleagues and I will continue fighting for the contract we deserve.”
— Kimberly Burns, Physical Therapist
“This was my first time having a space that allowed me to speak equally to someone in a position superior to myself. While it is nerve-wracking, I feel empowered by my union team! I look forward to making progress on a fair contract now that we have a platform to both listen and be heard.”
— Cassandra Villarreal, Speech Language Pathologist
Follow us on our social media to stay up to date with bargaining!
Our bill to address safe staffing in hospitals, ESSB 5236, was passed by the House earlier this month — the last step in a lengthy legislative process that we, in coalition with SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, UFCW 3000, and the Washington State Nurses Association, helped move forward with our actions, stories, and willingness to use our collective voice to ensure safer care in our hospitals. When we fight, we win!
The bill landed on Gov. Inslee’s desk to be signed into law on April 20, 2023. As of today, our bill is law.
What’s next?
Seattle: Seattle Labor Temple, 5030 1st Ave. S
Spokane: UFCW 3000 Office, 2805 N. Market St.
Tri-Cities: SEIU 1199NW Office, 7525 W. Deschutes Pl Ste 2 Kennewick, WA 99336
Tacoma: Shiloh Baptist Church, 1211 S I St.
Mt. Vernon: UFCW 3000 Office, 1510 N 18th St.
Everett: Snohomish County Labor Temple, 2810 Lombard Ave.
Olympia: Washington State Labor Council, 906 Columbia St. SW (2nd floor)
We’ll distribute an implementation timeline, provide resources, and share information to help us enforce the new staffing law and ensure accountability.
“I’m very glad to see the nursing staff representatives on our staffing committees expanded to include CNAs and LPNs alongside RNs. I know ensuring strict enforcement of a new staffing law is going to take some work, but I’m excited to get started learning how we can use it to keep our patients safer, our hospitals accountable, and our jobs more sustainable.”
Strengthen accountability to hospital staffing plans set by staffing committees.
Eliminate CEO veto power over those plans.
Expand staffing committees to include LPNs, CNAs, and other direct patient care staff in addition to RNs.
Reduce hospitals’ ability to pack staffing committees with people who impede plans.
Create uniform reporting forms, which will mean that patients and healthcare workers will easily understand how many staff should be present.
Require hospitals to report noncompliance to the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
Allow DOH to issue corrective action plans that could require minimum staffing standards and fines.
Expand meal and rest break laws to include all frontline staff.
Close loopholes to make mandatory overtime laws fully enforceable.
Allow L&I to issue escalating penalties for missed breaks.
Funds the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to conduct a study of existing staffing plans.
On day 3 of bargaining, we discussed at length the importance of staffing ratio language to be included in the contract and what that would mean for Nurses and patients.
“Providence said ratio language was a non-starter. For Nurses, not having ratio language is a non-starter and your Bargaining Team will continue to fight for appropriate and safe staffing levels.”
—Carrie Rimel, RN, Bargaining Team
We have yet to hear back from Providence on the bulk of our economic proposals, but we will continue to negotiate in good faith with Providence. We will meet with Providence again May 9, 10, and 11 and will continue our discussions as a Bargaining Team surrounding their proposals to get nurses the best contract.
Welcome Diba Kamayo, Ariel Simmons, Jennifer Wade, Kimberly Greenside and Robert Elkins! Make sure to reach out to a Bargaining Team member and let them know you support them and are willing to get involved!
We have taken the first big step in our campaign to create a democratic workplace and negotiate a fair contract. By now you may have noticed some Bargaining Surveys going around. These surveys are how our Union Bargaining Team understands the key issues that matter most to us and our coworkers in the workplace and are how our Bargaining Team set goals during Negotiations. The very last day to turn in Bargaining Surveys is Tuesday, May 2 by 5pm. Scan the QR code or follow the link below to get started!
Negotiations begin Wednesday, May 3 at 1pm in the Mfused conference room. Our team will be drafting the first proposals based off our Bargaining Survey results, which is why it is so important to get as many filled out as possible.
The Accounting Department has filed to join the rest of the membership in our Union at Mfused and we are excited to welcome them!
As always, reach out to our Union Rep. if you have questions, concerns, or if you are facing discipline. Chris Arellano 360-409-0241 or call the Member Resource Center 866-210-3000.
We are the Union. The members of UFCW 3000 are over 50,000 members working in grocery, retail, health care, meat packing, cannabis, & other industries across Washington state, north-east Oregon, and northern Idaho. UFCW 3000 is a chartered member of UFCW International with over 1.4 million workers in North America.
To build a powerful Union that fights for economic, political and social justice in our workplaces and in our communities.
