With a union, you and your co-workers have a voice in decisions that affect your worklife—wages, benefits, holidays and vacations, scheduling, seniority rights, job security, and much more. Union negotiations put us across the bargaining table from management as equals.

A union is only as strong as its members. It’s no secret: an active and united membership means a stronger union, which means a stronger contract. That’s why Local 21 staff work closely with stewards and other union members to mobilize co-workers for strong contracts, provide representation to enforce contract rights, organize new members into the union, and more.

For questions about issues at work…

Each worksite represented by Local 21 is assigned a Union Representative trained in contract enforcement and membership representation. Union Representatives work with Stewards at each worksite to organize members, distribute Union material, handle grievances, and enforce the contract.

Union Representatives and Stewards are available to answer members’ questions, help correct problems at work, keep members informed about Union activities and programs, represent members during disciplinary meetings with management, and ensure that members receive the rights and benefits guaranteed in the Local 21 contract.

For questions about organizing a union…

More than 7,000 workers have joined our union in the last 10 years because they wanted better pay, benefits and respect on the job.

To learn more about organizing a union at your worksite, see our Need a Union? page, or call Peter Diaz, Organizing Director, at 425-649-7596, or 1-800-732-1188 Ext. 596, or email him at pdiaz@ufcw1001.org.

For questions about dues…

For questions about dues payments or membership status, call the Membership Desk staff assigned to your work location. If you leave your job for any reason, you should immediately contact the Union for a withdrawal card, allowing you to reinstate your membership without paying an initiation fee.

For questions about benefits…

The Benefits Department provides information and assistance to Local 21 members covered by a Union medical or pension plan, including the Retail Drug Trust, the Western Employees Benefit Trust or the Teamsters Dental Trust. If you have questions about your benefits, contact the union office and ask for the Benefits Department.