Negotiations Are Underway
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"On Thursday, March 18th, we met for the first time with the employers and presented proposals to improve the contract, including issues of hours, vacation, and better grievance policies. In future meetings we will get more into the topics of wages, pension and health benefits." — Kyong Barry, Albertsons (Grocery) |
March 19, 2010 - Negotiations kicked off this week with initial proposals to address issues with a big impact on our working lives.
Highlights from the first day
Our union bargaining team made proposals that reflected the top priorities of our members as reflected in surveys, polling, and feedback from stewards and other members in the stores.
Our first union contract proposals include:
Fairness in Scheduling
- Ensure that current workers are rewarded with the most hours before new hires.
- Reasonable definition of availability to work so we can increase hours and plan our lives outside of work.
- Secure stronger schedule posting requirements.
Fairness on the Job
- Protection from employer abuse of U-Scan technology.
- Improve grievance procedures to help resolve problems faster.
United Bargaining
- Unite all Puget Sound area contracts with one common expiration date. We're stronger together.
Fairness in Vacation/Time Off
- Lower the number of hours required to get full-time vacation pay from 2080 to 2000.
- Allow those covered by the meat contract to get their personal days much faster.
- One extra paid day off to grieve the loss of loved ones.
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Button UP: It's your right
Soon, you’ll see your union rep and contract action team members with Stand UP buttons for you & your co-workers to wear. You have the legal right to wear this button at work.What happens next
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"I care about what happens in this bargain because it affects our lives and our families. By sticking together and standing up, we can negotiate a fair contract.” —Michael Irving, QFC (Grocery) |
We expect the employers to formally respond at the next meeting on March 31st. Your union bargaining team will also present our proposals on wages, health benefits, stick leave, and pension on that day.
We’ll keep you posted as negotiations continue by e-mail, printed updates, and on the web at ufcw21.org, teamsters38.org, and ufcw81.org.
Your union bargaining team:
Dave Schmitz, UFCW 21 President
Diane Zahn, UFCW 21 Secretary-Treasurer
Steven Chandler, Teamsters 38 Principal Officer
Mike Williams, UFCW 81 President
Angie Barnes-Parsons, Town & Country #215, Deli
Kyong Barry, Albertsons #470, Grocery
Tracie Champion, Safeway #373, Front End
David Coleburn, QFC #879, Meat
Beth Colleran, Albertsons #414, Grocery Wine Steward
Janella Enamorado, QFC #807, Grocery
Jaime Fajardo, Fred Meyer #658, Apparel
Rhonda Ivie, Safeway #1467, Front End
Joan Hicks, Albertsons # 476, Seafood
Robin Hillistad, QFC #858, Espresso Bar
Lou Hynek, Safeway #1082, Front End
Michael Irving, QFC #835, Grocery
Matthew Kenyon, Safeway #1966, Front End
Eleanor Knight, Fred Meyer #459, CCK
Lynnette Larson, Fred Meyer #172, CCK
Selina Moyer, Fred Meyer #179, Produce
Kate Pitell, Metropolitan Market #156, Floral
Barbara Rhodes, QFC #847, Deli
Patti Ritter, Fred Meyer #171, Home
Sharon Russell, Safeway, Meat Wrapper
Misty Senn, Fred Meyer #458, Meat
Scott Shiflett, Safeway #2734, Meat
Jeff Smith, Fred Meyer #688, Home
Fran Sosbee, Safeway #1252, Front End
Richard Waits, Haggen #69, Deli
Susan Wilmot, Safeway #1252, Front End
Click here for a printer-friendly PDF file of this update.
