UFCW 3000: 125 Years of Solidarity

UFCW 3000: 125 Years of Solidarity

April 2, 2025 marks UFCW 3000’s quasquicentennial, a word so fancy that nobody quite knows how to say it. Regardless of how you pronounce it, the absurdly Latinate term means we’ve been around for 125 years. During that time, we’ve grown from a crew of nine butchers in downtown Seattle to the largest private-sector union in the Pacific Northwest, representing more than 56,000 workers in grocery, retail, food processing, health care, laundry and textiles, cannabis, and others industries.   

Read More

Seattle Children’s Hospital Technical - Post Bargaining Update

As part of our recently ratified Union contract, our Union Bargaining Team negotiated a “true-up” meaning the Employer agreed to go back and review years of service at Seattle Children’s and credit members one step on the wage scale for every year of service as appropriate. It is intended to allow those whose previous wage step advancement was slowed down by the old requirement that 1,664 hours needed to be worked prior to the next increase to have past years of service based on anniversary date recognized. However, as part of this agreement Employees must request such a review within ninety days of ratification of the agreement.

Our contract was ratified on March 7.

To request a review, email your written request to:

LaborRelations@SeattleChildrens.org

...by no later than June 4, 2025.

Call Union Representative Christie Harris at (206) 436-6606 (landline) if you’d like to discuss further!

Our Bargaining Team (Left to Right): Adriana Ingwerson, Ultrasound Sonographer; Heidi Cuffee, Echo Sonographer; Jennifer Becker, Surgical Tech; Tesfaldet Kidanemariam, Respiratory Therapist; Robin Phare, Pharmacy Tech; Tarin Knight, END Tech

C.C. Filson - Bargaining Begins… Unfortunately, with Confusion & Lies—So Here’s the Truth:

“Filson offered us a small bag of peanuts for wages and then told us we might lose our jobs—but they weren’t sure. We pushed for more information and a timeline, but they had nothing to give us.”

—Jon, Union Bargaining Committee Member

On Friday, March 28, our union bargaining committee met with Filson to start contract negotiations. The company’s proposal was insulting—just $0.40 over three years. On top of that, they informed us that they might close the Kent distribution center.

The company told us in negotiations, the closure wasn’t definite—they were still deciding whether to extend their lease. However, after bargaining on Friday, we heard reports from members that they were told otherwise.

Members reported that the company claimed the union was notified months ago and that severance and layoff terms had already been agreed to. We want to be clear—this is not true.

We understand that this has caused confusion and mistrust, and members are understandably upset. The company is attempting to divide us with misinformation. Our focus is on negotiating the three-year agreement, and once a decision is made to close the Kent center, we will enter into effects bargaining to negotiate over layoffs and severance.

Despite these challenges, we did reach a few tentative agreements (TAs) on Friday, including limiting the hiring of temp workers to only peak season, so the company will stop replacing full-time jobs with rotating temp workers, and improvements to bereavement leave. We also proposed fair wage increases that keep up with inflation, and increased retirement contributions.

What’s next? We meet with Filson again on Wednesday, April 2, and on April 16-17. We will keep you updated after every session.

Join us for a member update meeting after bargaining on:

  • Wednesday, April 2

  • Katsu Burger

  • 6621 S 211th St #103

  • Kent, WA

  • 3:15 PM & 6:15 PM

If Filson is closing Kent in August, they must be honest and upfront so workers can plan for their future—and so we can negotiate fair severance and layoff terms.

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative Celia Ponce-Sanchez (206) 436-6581

Bargaining Team: Regina Hill & Jon Pryor

Puget Sound Allied Grocery Stores The Clock Is Ticking

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.  

Read More

Draper Valley Farms We have reached a tentative agreement!

Draper Valley Farms We have reached a tentative agreement!

After several negotiation sessions over the last few months, we are excited to share that we have reached a tentative agreement! Our Union Negotiation Committee recommends a YES vote! This contract includes: Significant wage increases, A 3-year contract, Improved Boot benefit, New Labor Management Committee.

Read More

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett Professionals Bargaining Continues!

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett Professionals Bargaining Continues!

“It was clear the employer didn’t do their homework on the Case Management MOU—their expectations are completely out of touch with reality.” -Holly Gramse, Physical Therapist and member of our Union Bargaining Team.

Read More

PCC Update from the Labor-Management Committee!

PCC Update from the Labor-Management Committee!

The LMC’s purpose is to study and make recommendations to the BOT (or PCC’s Leadership Team, as appropriate based on the nature of the recommendation), for action on those matters on which it deliberates. Our focus will be on addressing important matters such as labor, staffing and workplace improvements, training needs and profit-sharing structures.

Read More

Providence St. Peter Hospital Professionals Annual Merit Increases & Status-Quo

Providence St. Peter Hospital Professionals Annual Merit Increases & Status-Quo

Providence recently informed our Union that, as is customary during this time of year, they would like to offer annual merit-based wage increases to PSPH professional employees. Our Union fully supports wage increases for our members and would be happy to discuss a process for wage increases before we begin contract negotiations, but it is important  to ensure that any raises are distributed fairly and equitably to all workers.

Read More

Providence St. Peter Hospital Professionals Annual Merit Increases & Status-Quo

Providence St. Peter Hospital Professionals Annual Merit Increases & Status-Quo

On Monday, March 17 our union bargaining team for the RNs at St. Peter Hospital met with Providence to kick-off 2025 negotiations. To start our day, we focused primarily on the “non-economic” sections of our contract, encompassing Articles which don’t directly relate to wages, premiums, or benefits, and presented management with our initial proposals on items like

Read More

FTC Commissioners Should Defy Illegal Order by Trump 

FTC Commissioners Should Defy Illegal Order by Trump 

Today, it was announced that President Trump was illegally firing two Federal Trade Commissioners. The two Commissioners, Alvaro Bedoya (whose current term expires in September of 2026) and Rebecca Slaughter (whose current term expires in September of 2029) were legally nominated by the President of The Unites States and approved by the US Senate. There is no procedure for the President to “fire” an FTC Commissioner as if they were some candidates on his Apprentice TV show. 

Read More

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett Professionals BARGAINING BEGINS!

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett Professionals BARGAINING BEGINS!

On Tuesday, March 11, our union Bargaining Team for the Professionals at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett (PRMCE) joined management at the bargaining table for our first official day of negotiations for the 2025 contract cycle! 

Read More