Puget Sound Allied Grocery Stores - Hands Off Our Healthcare! (And Heads Up about the Contract Vote!)

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Ten thousand people.

Even after back-to-back days of bargaining, ten thousand people is the conservative estimate for the number of workers that Kroger and Albertsons wants to kick off our health care plan by killing automatic insurance enrollment and increasing the number of hours needed to qualify for it. For more than a decade, our union has fought for and secured high-quality, affordable health care that our coworkers love and have worked hard to protect and improve. We're not about to give that up now.

"We have what you call 'good health insurance.' I've had three surgeries on my right eye. If I didn't have the insurance I have with this job, I wouldn't have been able to afford that care with what we get paid."

— Sam Dancy, bargaining team member and front-end manager at the Westwood Village QFC

If these corporations have nearly $16 billion to blow on Wall Street—plus nearly a billion to throw away on a failed merger—then they have the cash to keep our healthcare trust whole and pay us what we deserve.

Contract Extended, Vote Announced!

We have another three days of bargaining early next week, and another three days in May. After that, we'll vote on the contract in early June.

How the employers behave in these next rounds of bargaining will decide whether we recommend a "yes" or "no" vote.

Be on the lookout for future updates with vote locations and times, and then join us to make your voice heard!

Next bargaining dates: April 28, 29 and 30. May 19, 20 and 21.

Demand more from the employers!

Step up: Join a brief workplace leaflet and sign a strike pledge card if you haven't already. Contact your union steward or union rep for more information.

Speak up: File a staffing report at nogrocerylines.org

Dive deeper: Read more information about our negotiations on our website! ufcw3000.org/better-staffing

Our Union Bargaining Team:

Back row (L-R): Debra Rix, Callow Ave Safeway; Dan Howes, Crown Hill Metro Market; Roger Yanez, Bella Bottega QFC; Sam Dancy, Westwood Village QFC; Cliff Powers, Anacortes Safeway; Bryan Gilderoy, Kent Fred Meyer; Kyle Doherty, Stanwood Haggen; Kevin Flynn, Marysville Albertsons; J'Nee Delancey, Ballard Town and Country; Teamsters Local 38 E-Board Member Caprii Nakihei; Kim Hayes, Everett Safeway; Teamsters Local 38 E-Board Member Caprii Nakihei; Teamsters Local 38 Joel Palabrica; Todd Heuer, Ballard Fred Meyer. Front row (L-R): Yasmin Ashur, Port Orchard Albertsons; Daisy Hannelore, Benson Plaza Fred Meyer; Joseph Baltz, Anacortes Fred Meyer; Jeff Smith, Fred Meyer; Princetta Woodhouse, Redondo Fred Meyer; Kyong Barry, S Auburn Albertsons; Amy Dayley Angell, Ballard QFC.

Puget Sound Allied Grocery Stores - THEY MUST BE JOKING, RIGHT?

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From the first day of negotiations, our member-led bargaining team has worked to reach a fair contract that honors and respects our hard work. Today Kroger and Albertsons proposed the biggest cuts to our health plan since 2013, when we were two hours away from calling a strike. This new proposal would potentially take away coverage from thousands of members and shift more healthcare costs to us. The companies attempting to increase our cost burden are the same ones who have seen profits increase by about 100% over the past five years, four to six times greater than the profits they saw before the COVID pandemic. We will never accept proposals that strip away health coverage from thousands of members.

“We have no interest in accepting proposals that kick people off our health care plan,”

—Ballard QFC Amy Dayley Angell

But the employers’ disrespect did not end with their healthcare proposal. They advanced a wage proposal of $1, $0.50, $0.50. That’s half or less than half depending on your job classification of what we settled for three years ago! We are worth more than fifty cents, which is why our union proposed a compensation package that would reward loyalty, keep up with the cost of living, and bring us in line with the pay of competitors like Costco.

“They are proposing to give us less in wage increases than Colorado, California, Spokane, Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon—they must be joking, right?”

— Princetta Woodhouse, Redondo Fred Meyer

If you factor in inflation and the increased healthcare premiums the employers are demanding, their wage proposal would likely amount to a pay cut for all of us. Pay cuts for us while the companies each pay their CEOs more than $15 million a year? No way!

We know these greedy corporate CEOs can afford to keep our high-quality health plan intact and pay us what we are worth because the companies collectively spent nearly $16 billion in stock buybacks and dividends ($6.6 billion for Albertsons, and $9.2 billion for Kroger) between 2018 and 2022. That’s money they should have used to increase staff, wages, benefits, remodel stores, purchase new equipment, and lower prices for customers.

Next bargaining dates:
April 21, 22, 28, 29 and 30.

Demand more from the employers!

Step up:
Join a brief workplace leaflet next week and sign a strike pledge card if you haven’t already. Contact your union steward or union rep for more information.

Speak up:
File a staffing report at nogrocerylines.org >>

Dive deeper:
Read more information about our negotiations on our website! >>

Our Union Bargaining Team: Back row (L-R): Todd Heuer, Ballard Fred Meyer; Kim Hayes, Everett Safeway; Teamsters Local 38 E-Board Member Caprii Nakihei; Jeff Smith, Fred Meyer; Bryan Gilderoy, Kent Fred Meyer; Sam Dancy, Westwood Village QFC; Debra Rix, Callow Ave Safeway; Cliff Powers, Anacortes Safeway; Dan Howes, Crown Hill Metro Market; Roger Yanez, Bella Bottega QFC. Middle row (L-R): Kyle Doherty, Stanwood Haggen; Kevin Flynn, Marysville Albertsons; Kyong Barry, S Auburn Albertsons; Princetta Woodhouse, Redondo Fred Meyer; Joseph Baltz, Anacortes Fred Meyer; Daisy Hannelore, Benson Plaza Fred Meyer; Yasmin Ashur, Port Orchard Albertsons. Front row (L-R): Amy Dayley Angell, Ballard QFC; J’Nee Delancey, Ballard Town and Country. Not pictured: UFCW 3000 President Faye Guenther; UFCW 3000 Secretary-Treasurer Joe Mizrahi; Teamsters Local 38 Union Rep Luke Vauley; Teamsters Local 38 Secretary-Treasurer Samantha Kantak; Teamsters Local 38 President Pete Lamb

Puget Sound Allied Grocery Stores The Clock Is Ticking

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Puget Sound Allied Grocery Stores The Clock Is Ticking

In this week’s meetings with Kroger and Albertsons/Safeway, our member-led Bargaining Team heard the first staffing proposal from Kroger. Unfortunately, their proposal fell well short of what we need to ensure safe stores for workers and customers.  

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Puget Sound Allied Grocery Stores Bargaining Begins!

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Puget Sound Allied Grocery Stores Bargaining Begins!

Our Bargaining Team met January 21 and 22 to share our core concerns with the Employers. We focused on major issues like addressing under-staffing, U-SCAN usage, and store safety. We will begin to work on our wage, pension, and healthcare proposals with the goal of putting all our issues on the table in March.

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January Contract Action Team Meetings

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Monday, January 20

  • Monday, January 22, 2024 11:30am - 12:30pm Capitol Hill Library 425 Harvard E Seattle, WA 98102 

Tuesday, January 21

  • Tuesday, January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm Kent Panther Lake Library, 20500 108th Ave SE, Kent

  • Tuesday, January 21, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am Fairhaven Branch Library, Meeting Room: Northwest Room- 1117 12th St, Bellingham, WA 98225

  • Tuesday, January 21, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm Burien Library 2nd floor meeting room 400 SW 152nd St. STE 100, Burien, WA 98166

  • Tuesday, January 21, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm Bothell Library - 18215 98th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011

  • Tuesday, January 23, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am  Ballard Branch Library - Main Rm. - 5614 22nd Ave NW Seattle, WA  98107

  • Tuesday, January 21, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm Bellevue library, 110th ave ne, bellevue WA

  • Tuesday, January 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am  Alexa's Cafe, 10115 Main St., Bothell, WA 98012

  • Tuesday, January 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30 am Port Orchard library, 87 Sidney Ave, Port Orchard, WA 98366

Wednesday, January 22

  • Wednesday, January 22, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm Alfy's Pizza - 19121 US-2, Monroe, WA 98272

  • Wednesday, January 22, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm Auburn Library: 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn WA  98002

  • Wednesday, January 22, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm Issaquah Library, 10 W Sunset Way, Issaquah, WA 98027 

  • Wednesday, January 22, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm Kirkland Library Meeting Room 308 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, WA 98033 

  • Wednesday, January 22, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm Ferndale Public Library, Meeting Room: Ferndale Conference Room- 2125 Main St, Ferndale, WA 98248

  • Wednesday, January 22, 2025 12:00pm-1:00pm White Center Library 1409 SW 107th St, Seattle WA 98146

  • Wednesday, January 22, 2025 5pm-6pm Shoreline Library - 345 NE 175th St, Shoreline, WA 98155

  • Wednesday, January 22, 2025 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Capitol Hill Library 425 Harvard E Seattle, WA 98102 

Thursday, January 23

  • Thursday, January 23, 2025 5:30 PM Olympia Timberland library, Olympia room,313 8th Ave SE, Olympia, WA98501

  • Thursday, January 23, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am  UFCW 3000 Silverdale office

  • Thursday, January 23, 2025 10:00am - 11:ooam Mount Vernon Office 1810Nth 18 ST, Mount Vernon ,WA 98273

  • Thursday, January 23, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm Des Moines Library, 21620 11th Ave S, Des Moines

  • Thursday, January 23, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm Des Moines Library, 21620 11th Ave S, Des Moines

  • Thursday, January 23, 2025 6:30pm - 8pm  Zeek's Pizza, 4309 196th St SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036

  • Thursday, January 23, 2025 4:00 PM Covington Library, 27100 164th Ave SE, Covington, WA 98042

  • Thursday, January 23, 2025 5:00pm Mount Vernon Office 1810 Nth 18th S, Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Kroger Albertsons Mega-Merger Blocked by Federal Judge

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Kroger Albertsons Mega-Merger Blocked by Federal Judge

“The well-reasoned decisions today by both Courts make plain what union grocery workers have known all along – this mega-merger would be bad for workers who deserve a workplace where they can be paid well for their labor, be safe and be respected. It would be disastrous for shoppers who deserve competition that leads to better choices and lower prices…”

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UFCW 3000 Member Story: Rebecca Ashley & Gena Galusha

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UFCW 3000 Member Story: Rebecca Ashley & Gena Galusha

With the rising costs of living, many people are watching every penny and every paycheck, budgeting with dwindling means and having to choose what necessities to prioritize. Unions are in the fight for improving living conditions through better wages and benefits. Two UFCW 3000 grocery store members recently experienced the benefits of their union backing when they discovered issues with their pay.

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Dec 3, Puget Sound Grocery Store Workers Telephone Town Hall

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Puget Sound Grocery Store Workers
Telephone Town Hall
Tuesday December 3rd at 6 PM

On Tuesday at 6, we will be updating our Puget Sound grocery store members and discussing plans for the upcoming 2025 collective bargaining process to win improvements in our next contract. When your phone rings answer and you will join the call. Our partners in negotiations Teamsters 38, which represents grocery store workers in Snohomish County, will also be on the call with us. We will take your questions live.

With over 25,000 members to call it does take a few minutes to dial everyone, but if for some reason you have not received your call by 6:05, you can still join us by dialing: 888-652-2664 and entering meeting ID: 8278.

Puget Sound Allied Grocery Stores Grocery Store Workers in Denver fight to Raise Wages & Improve Staffing

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Puget Sound Allied Grocery Stores Grocery Store Workers in Denver fight to Raise Wages & Improve Staffing

Last week UFCW 3000 President Faye Guenther along with other union staff joined UFCW local 7’s Bargaining Team in Denver as they sat down with Albertsons/Safeway and Kroger in their fight for a fair contract. This collaboration between the grocery store workers in Colorado and the over 25,000 grocery store members of UFCW 3000, whose contracts expire early next year is an important signal of strength and unity in our fight for Better Wages, Better Staffing, Better Stores. 

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November Contract Action Team Meetings

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Monday, November 18

  • Monday, November 18, 2024 6-7 pm Mount Vernon office 1810 Nth 18 ST Mount Vernon, WA 98273

  • Monday, November 18, 2024 2-3 pm Best Western Plus Hotel 33175 State Rte 20, Oak Harfbor, Wa 98277

  • Monday, November 18, 2024 6-7 pm Mount Vernon office 1810 Nth 18 ST Mount Vernon, WA 98273

  • Monday, November 18, 2024 9-10 am  Mountalke Terrace Library 23300 58th Ave W Mountlake Terrace WA 98043

  • Monday, November 18, 2024 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm  Zeek's Pizza, Lynnwood, 

  • Monday, November 18, 2024 5-6pm Port Orchard Library,  87 Sidney Ave, Port Orchard, WA 98366

  • Monday, November 18, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am Auburn Library : 1102 Auburn Way S., Auburn WA 98002

Tuesday, November 19

  • Tuesday, November 19, 2024 12pm-1pm Bothell Library - 18215 98th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011

  • Tuesday, November 19, 2024 4:30 - 5 pm Alfys Pizza 19121 US-2, Monroe, WA 98272

  • Tuesday, November 19, 2024 10am-11am Seattle Library: University Branch (5009 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105)

  • Tuesday, November 19, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm Des Moines Library: 21620 11th Ave S., Des Moines WA  98198

Wednesday, November 20

  • Wednesday, November 20, 2024 11:00am-12pm Bellevue Library 1111 110th Ave NE Bellevue Wa 98004

  • Wednesday, November 20, 2024 6:30pm-7:00pm Bellevue Library 1111 110th Ave NE Bellevue Wa 98004

  • Wednesday, November 20, 2024 5:00pm-6:00pm Jefferson Community Center, 3801 Beacon Ave S, Seattle

  • Wednesday, November 20, 2024 12pm-1:30pm Kent Panther Lake Library, 20500 108th Ave SE, Kent

  • Wednesday, November 20, 2024 5:30pm Olympia Timberland Library, 313 Eighth Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501

  • Wednesday, November 20, 2024 1-2pm Snoqualmie Library 7824 Center Blvd SE, Snoqualmie, WA 98065

Thursday, November 21

  • Thursday, November 21, 2004 10:00am-11:00am Burien Library - 400 SW 152nd Street Burien, WA 98166  2nd floor meetig room

  • Thursday, November 21, 2024 4:300pm- 5:30pm 1409 SW 107th Street Seattle, WA 98146 - Meeting Room

  • Thursday, November 21, 2024 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm Teamsters 38 Hall 2601 Everett Ave, Everett, WA 98201

  • Thursday, November 21, 2024 9-11 am Silverdale Office, 2430 NW Myhre Rd, Silverdale WA 98383 

  • Thursday, November 21, 2024 4-6 pm Westside Pizza, 540 Washington St, Sequim WA

  • Thursday, November 21, 2024 4pm-5pm Seattle Library: Capitol Hill Branch (425 Harvard Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102)

  • Thursday, November 21, 2024 10:30am-11:30am Greenwood Library - Branch Meeting Rm: 8016 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

  • Thursday, November 21, 2024 4:00pm-5:00pm Mercer Island Library - Small Meeting Rm: 4400 88th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040

  • Tuesday, November 19, 2024 12-1 PM Covington Library, 27100 164th Ave SE, Covington, WA 98042

Friday, November 22

  • Friday, November 22, 2024 4:30pm-5:30pm Shoreline Library - 345 NE 175th St, Shoreline, WA 98155

  • Friday, November 22, 2024 10-11am Kirkland Library Conference Room 308 Kirkland Ave Kirkland, WA 98033

  • Friday, November 22, 2024 4-5pm Crossroads Mall Community Room 15600 NE 8th St Bellevue, Wa 98008

Puget Sound Allied Grocery Stores United from Rockies to Pacific for Better Wages and Staffing

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Puget Sound Allied Grocery Stores United from Rockies to Pacific for Better Wages and Staffing

The Colorado 10-day ULP strike by UFCW local 7 in 2022 helped pave the way for our contract negotiations that same year and the most significant wage increases we’ve ever seen. Together, united, UFCW 3000, UFCW local 7, and Teamsters local 38 will coordinate proposals and actions to show Kroger and Albertsons that again in 2025, when we stand together, we win.

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