UFCW 3000 Member Story: Celene Regueira

Celene Regueira

Celene Regueira is a shop steward and Jefferson Healthcare Bargaining Committee member. She tells us about how she got involved in being a leader in her workplace and what that has meant over the years:

“I somewhat stumbled into becoming a shop steward during a general membership meeting when I inadvertently expressed my opinion on what I felt was an unfair labor practice. Jefferson Healthcare needed more shop stewards, so soon after I found myself recruited into “the cause” by a veteran shop steward and seasoned negotiator, Don Pruitt.”

This is often the case, leaders find other leaders. The workers that speak up, plan birthday parties, and ask for donations for coworkers may not be shop stewards yet, but they are showing traits of workplace leaders. Celene goes on to explain what it was like getting more involved and sitting on the bargaining committee for the next union contract.”

“The natural progression was participation on the bargaining committee for our upcoming Pro-Tech contract negotiations. It was perhaps 2004 and I recall barely uttering a word during those sessions, mostly listening and taking copious notes on the proceedings. Not having direct patient care due to my position in Health Information Management, I felt somewhat hamstrung by my lack of understanding of the articles of the contract language that pertained to issues such as call-back, low-census, certification pay, etc. Still, I felt a sense of responsibility in participating in a cause for the greater good. Stewardship.”

Celene may not have understood the roles of coworkers in other departments, but she knew hers. That is why having committees made up of workers representing everyone is important. Just as important is having bargaining committee members who have bargained before and those who have not. The experience of serving with veterans is the education she needed to become a veteran herself:

”Prior to contract negotiations, our administration predictably states that payroll is by far their largest expense. The implication is that they know what labor will be asking for. Inevitably, after negotiations are over the hospital commissioners grant the Strategic Leadership Group a round of salary increases; often undisclosed figures.”

Sharing this with coworkers and building unity to stand up to these tactics is what makes the difference when fighting for a good contract. Workplace leaders like Celene are the ones who help make it happen!

If you are interested in training and education to be a Shop Steward or Workplace Leader you can find trainings here!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Astrid Kryger

Astrid Kryger fighting to Stop the Merger!

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. UFCW 3000 and other UFCW local unions have opposed this merger since it was announced in late October, and just 2 weeks ago UFCW International announced that it was also opposed to the merger and was filing a complaint with the Federal Government to prevent the merger from going through.

Astrid participated in our actions across Washington State to tell the public about how this mega-merger is bad for everybody. Astrid and other grocery store workers handed out shopping bags to customers as they talked to them about opposing the merger and asked them to send a message to the FTC via the Stop the Merger webpage. The bag action was well received by the North Bend shoppers who had much love and support for Astrid and the action at the North Bend store. She is also motivating other members to get informed and take action and is looking forward to learning more and becoming more active with her union and in her community.

Meet Naomi Oligario, UFCW 3000 Delegate to the 2023 UFCW International Convention

Naomi Oligario, one of your UFCW 3000 delegates to the 2023 UFCW International 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 2023 UFCW International Convention will be held in Las Vegas, beginning today, Monday, April 24, 2023 and concluding Friday, April 28, 2023, or until all business is completed and the Convention is adjourned.

Naomi Oligario is an elected delegate to this convention and believes the UFCW International Union must be accountable to its membership and build real power for workers in all essential industries, including grocery, retail, cannabis, packing and processing, and healthcare. The purpose of any union is to build collective worker power to improve safety, wages, and working conditions, and amplify the voices of workers in their workplaces and communities. As a rank-&-file member, she knows how important this fight is.

Naomi Oligario has worked at Port Orchard Safeway for over 37 years! She started as a courtesy clerk before working her way up to produce & front end. Throughout the years, she has trained countless other grocery store workers, all while getting to know customers as they’ve grown up and built families of their own. Naomi is a respected workplace leader, which is why she ran on a slate of candidates from our local committed to fighting for a better UFCW!

UFCW International has decreased spending on critical organizing campaigns and discouraged coordination on our most important bargaining campaigns. This, combined with a large amount of investment in the stock market has been one of the factors that have contributed to the shrinking number of members in the UFCW year after year. This is why our delegation is proposing a set of reforms to invest in organizing, coordinating bargaining with national employers, and modernizing strike authorization so that bureaucracy doesn’t prevent workers from holding their employers accountable at the bargaining table.

Our delegation believes the UFCW must change in five fundamental ways: 

1. UFCW members must have a democratic voice in their International Union.

2. UFCW must be a powerhouse union that fights for all essential workers. 

3. UFCW must prioritize new organizing and invest in organizing campaigns, organizers, and new winning strategies.

4. UFCW must commit to coordinated bargaining across the USA and Canada.

5. UFCW must engage in strategic planning to counter corporate power and meet the challenges that face our movement and our democracy.

“We believe that union leadership should be accountable to the membership – the only way for that to happen is to have leadership be democratically elected from members themselves. We do this as a local union and our democratically elected executive board of over 40 members who work in our diverse industries is part of what makes us strong. We believe that the same should be the case for the UFCW International. The International should be held to the same democratic standard as we are at the local.” – Naomi Oligario, Port Orchard, Safeway, and Ana Alverez, Grandview, Washington Beef

UFCW 3000 Member Stories: Dalton Adams

Dalton was one of many grocry members participating in the stop the merger actions across the country recently.

Dalton Adams is a shop steward at the Downtown Bellevue QFC store and is active in many parts of our union. In January of this year, he went to Olympia to talk with Washington State Legislators about the increasing safety issues he and his coworkers face around organized retail theft and strongarm robberies. The political pressure forced Kroger and other employers to come to the table and work with our union on how to best protect workers.

Safety on the job is a big issue for Dalton and other shop stewards, last fall they came together with workplace leaders from 3 states at a Safety Summit to share stories, learn, and organize to make sure that workers are safer on the job.

Dalton and other stewards are also very concerned about what would happen to their jobs and communities if the Kroger/Albertsons mega-merger was allowed to go through. He and other grocery store workers took recently action recently across the country to inform customers of the perils of this monopoly-creating merger. Dalton asked customers and send a letter to the FTC via the No Grocery Merger Website, telling them to stop this merger from moving forward.

Dalton knows when workers organize, take action, and show solidarity with each other, what we can accomplish together is greater than what we could do alone.

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Michael Tewolde

Michael talks with a customer about why the Albertsons/Kroger merger will harm the othello community in South Seattle.

Michael Tewolde is a union leader and front-end Person-in-Charge (PIC) at the Othello Safeway in South Seattle. He has worked at Othello for several years and has seen the neighborhood change as more people have moved into the new surrounding developments. Having affordable healthcare and pension plans are important to Michael and is why he was one of the hundreds of union workers at Albertsons, Safeways, Haggens, QFCs, and Fred Meyers last week who took action at the entrances to their stores to educate their customers about why a Kroger/Albertsons could mean that the Othello store could close and that prices would most likely go up.

Michael grew up in the East African nation of Eritrea and speaks Tingrinya, one of Eritrea's official languages. If you are shopping at his store, please make sure to stop by and say hello!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: St. Michael Medical Center Bargaining Team

Susan Mayer, Pamela Reese, Vanessa RosaDino, and Christy Sammons

The bargaining team at Saint Michael Medical Center has been meeting with the Employer for over a month to negotiate a new contract working conditions for themselves and their coworkers. The bargain is now well into the economic parts of the agreement, and the committee is learning fast that their employer, Catholic Health Initiatives, needs to not just hear from them, but from everyone working at St. Michael Medical Center.

So, Susan, Pamela, Vanessa, and Christy are talking to their coworkers and collecting stories to share at the bargaining table about what would make their workplace better, and what effect of management’s proposals would have; because an injury to one is an injury to all.

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Liisa Luick

Liisa Luick shop steward and Bargaining Team member from Alderwood Macy’s!

Liisa Luick is a dedicated shop steward from Macy's at the Alderwood Mall where she has worked since 2008. She loves advocating for her coworkers and fellow union members, knows her contract, and makes sure that store management knows it too.

When Macy’s reopened after the COVID-19 lockdown ended, Liisa also stepped up to make sure that safety issues with the ongoing pandemic and short staffing coupled with the ever-increasing problem of unruly customers and organized retail theft were being addressed. She went on to be featured as a spokesperson for her coworkers in the local press and the New York Times to highlight these important safety issues.

Recently she helped organize leaflets at her store in support of members of UFCW Local 5 working at the San Francisco Macy's, who had been negotiating their contract for over 8 months! Liisa also flew to the Bay Area to join UFCW 5 members at the bargaining table in a show of solidarity at what would be the final negotiation session where Local 5 reached a tentative agreement.

Liisa brought her experience back to her coworkers and joined the bargaining committee for the Macy’s contract negotiations that have gotten underway. As a member of the committee, she knows that the Union’s power starts and ends with what members are willing to do to fight for a fair contract. Liisa and all the Macy’s stewards and leaders keep their coworkers organized and out at every action. Way to go Liisa!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Holly Purcell

Holly Pursell with her family in Port Angeles

Planned Parenthood medical assistant Holly Purcell in her own words about working at her clinic in Port Angeles:

“I have always been a big supporter of Planned Parenthood.  They helped me with some of my healthcare needs when I was younger and living out on the East coast. Their mission and work are so valuable and offer a much-needed service to many people across the country. When I saw that Planned Parenthood had a job posting for a medical assistant in 2017, I knew I had to apply. I’ve been working for Planned Parenthood ever since and enjoy my job tremendously. It’s such a rewarding feeling knowing that you are helping your community. The Port Angeles team is small but mighty! It consists of myself, a medical receptionist, a clinician, and a health center manager. We have all been working together for a long time and we treat each other like family. They have been there for me during some of my toughest times.”

Holly and her husband have loved and fostered many children since marrying in 2012 and have adopted 3 of them, creating their family. Their family enjoys their many pets which include a cat, two lizards, three dogs, and five fish. Wow!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Shukri Hashi fighting for Safe Housing

Shukri Hashi works at SeaTac Airport in Hudson News retail stores, has been a longtime shop steward, and served on the bargaining committee representing her coworkers during negotiations for their union contract. Shukri’s activism also extends outside her job and includes fighting for better protections for renters with the Stay Housed, Stay Healthy Coalition.

As protections for keeping people housed during the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic have been brought to an end, it has pushed many vulnerable families into crisis and some have become unhoused. Shukri has seen that when this happens it ripples outward and disrupts our communities and neighborhoods. She recently testified at a SeaTac City Council meeting calling on the city to pass protections for renters like capping late fees, strong just cause requirements for evictions, and having rental assistance programs that will help prevent another public health crisis while we continue to deal with the ongoing pandemic.

Shukri wants union members to know that together we can fight for healthy communities and justice on and off the job.

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Krystal Krotzer

Krystal Krotzer beams over the win of retro pay for her and her coworkers!

Shop steward Krystal Krotzer works as a pharmacy tech for Kaiser Permanente in Spokane. As a leader, Krystal took on an arduous fight with her union rep to get Kaiser to make good on owed retroactive pay dating back to December 2021. She helped gather evidence for the group grievance and didn’t give up until her coworkers got paid. Moving forward Krystal’s stewardship will be much appreciated by her fellow Kaiser union members. Good work Krystal!

Remembering Candice Hemphill

Over the decades, Candice Hemphill was a leader in this union, her union. As a Macy’s worker, she felt a connection with co-workers and customers. What she demanded at work was respect from her employer, and at the most basic level, that respect is what she fought for. The headline of her column in a local paper in 2018 read “Macy’s workers unite for better working conditions and respect.” That says a lot about how she approached union activism. A call for unity. A call for better conditions at work, the place where we spend a large part of our lives. That call for respect, something that does not cost the employer anything, is often hard to get an employer to understand; but time after time Ms. Candice succeeded in making sure that it was heard.

Candice’s efforts toward worker solidarity took place in a consistent, relentless, and effective manner year after year. Whether it was coming to a large training of union stewards, getting co-workers to wear MACY’S UNITED buttons (like in the picture below) during a nationwide Macy’s action, or speaking at a national press conference, she was both fierce and friendly. It was those two things that would often make her so effective and so inspiring to others. Her smile would welcome everyone into the group; her ability to stare anyone down would show that she meant business. Her persistence demonstrated to everyone that she was not going to be ignored or worn out.

Here Canide has covered her sweater in Macy’s United Buttons, making it easier for her to hand them out to co-workers and to make a statement to everyone about our collective activism.

For those of us who knew her, we know how lucky we are. We were blessed by her energy, her smile, her empathetic nature, and her sense of humor and wit – a  comment delivered with a sly grin provided just the right medicine after a long day of bargaining or a cold and rainy leaflet action. Last but surely not least was her sense of style and fashion that would outshine most of us any day of the week, no one else could wear warm layers on a 75-degree day like Candice.

Stories about her activism come to mind quickly when looking back over the years. She helped win advances and protections in her Macy’s contract, bargain after bargain. She was one of many members of our union who serve on bargaining committees, sitting across the table from the employer, pushing for progress. Despite not being able to return to work at Macy’s in 2021 because of the pandemic and her health she still served on Macy’s bargaining committee and led her coworkers to take repeated action to fight for a fair contract.  She did all of that by calling and texting her coworkers remotely, which is why Candice is one of the most gifted labor organizers ever. That’s the kind of member-led union Candice wanted and it is the union she helped build.

Candice also attended community meetings, rallies, marches, and events to build a bigger and more powerful movement. After having pushed for Paid Sick Days for years in contract negotiations, Candice was one of the hundreds of our union members who helped qualify the Paid Sick and Safe Leave/Higher Minimum Wage Initiative in 2016 and then made sure voters passed it into law. That one law has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of workers who needed Paid Sick & Safe Time.

At an event in 2015, Candice got up in front of a large audience and did what she did so well. She told her story in a way that made others want to be part of the change that needed to happen. Here is what she said:

“Good evening. It is an honor to be here tonight and to speak with you all. Let’s talk for a minute about the struggle for fairness. Our successes that have taken place and those which have yet come to pass. It means so much to me, to workers everywhere, to our customers, and everyone in the community.

My name in Candice and I love helping people. I love my co-workers and I love my family. I also love my union UFCW 21. I love justice.

I have a weakened immune system that makes it dangerous for me to get sick or be exposed to people who are sick. So if I, or one of my co-workers is sick, I need to make sure we are all safe. I need people to be able to stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids, and get well before they return to work. Not come to work sick so they don’t miss a day’s pay. 

But I also understand that is a false choice to put before someone who has to pay the rent.

I need parents to be able to stay at home and care for a child when they are ill and not send that kid to school so they can go to work themselves because they don’t have paid sick days. But I understand that parent also needs to provide for that child’s well-being with food, shelter, and clothing and may not be able to forgo a day or two of pay to care for a sick family member.

We need this injustice resolved.

My health and well-being is connected to all of you. And your health and well-being is connected to thousands of others in the community. Where we work. Where children go to school and play. The library, the community pool. The grocery store. The bus. The restaurant. The movie theater. We are literally all connected in our community. One person’s fate touches everyone else.

That is why we have fought for and continue to press on for paid sick leave for all.  We have not won it yet. But we have been denied justice before and fought on. That is how we won it in Seattle. That is why I joined our US Senator Patty Murray on a press conference call to advocate for national paid sick and safe leave. That is why I have gone to our state’s capital to push for a new state law. That is why we will keep it up TOGETHER to win where we can win and keep pushing elsewhere. Thank you.”

Thirteen months after she gave that speech, we passed Paid Sick and Safe Leave for all in Washington.

We know that Candice will be dearly missed by her former co-workers, her union colleagues, all her friends, and family members including nieces and nephews to whom she was a dear Auntie. You are in our thoughts and prayers. 

Welcome to our Union Seattle Kraken Team Store workers

Welcome to UFCW 3000 Seattle Kraken Team Store workers! After Mariners retail workers joined our union in September, the team made a thrilling playoff run—will the Kraken follow suit? When we fight, we all win!

With Mariners and Kraken Team Stores now union, that’s 200 new good union jobs in our city’s sports stadiums. Together we will be fighting to raise wages and improve standards for workers who support our favorite sports teams. Congratulations to all!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Dawn Harris

Dawn Harris, grocery store worker at safeway fairwood & proud ufcw 3000 member

It’s #WorkerWednesday, and today we are spotlighting Dawn Harris, a grocery store worker at Safeway #519 in Fairwood! Dawn is a strong workplace leader and is currently being trained as a shop steward for her store.

Dawn recently attended the 2022 Safety Summit with a cohort of coworkers from her store and is excited to continue to grow as an effective advocate for her & her coworkers’ rights on the job. Dawn is passionate about the arts and sports (biggest Seahawks fan around!) and loves spending time with her family.

Dawn, thanks for all your hard work on behalf of your community, coworkers, and fellow union members. If you shop at Safeway in Fairwood, be sure to say hi!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Terry Lakes

Terry Lakes, UFCW 3000 member & GROCERY STORE WORKER AT FRED MEYER

It’s #MemberMonday, and today we’re spotlighting Terry Lakes, who currently works at Fred Meyer in Auburn, where she’s worked for the past 33 years!

Terry is originally from Iowa, but moved to Auburn, WA at a young age and considers both places her home. While Terry started her career in healthcare, working in a nursing home, she has been in the grocery industry for so many years because of her bond with her coworkers and customers. For Terry, her coworkers are like family! Terry is always ready to greet you, whether you’re a customer or a coworker, with a warm smile.

Terry’s solidarity with her coworkers has also motivated her to be a leader in her workplace. Since 2015, she’s been a shop steward, and in recent years, she’s also been active in getting coworkers, customers, and community members involved in contract campaigns.

When she’s not working, Terry loves to read and tend to her home. We are so grateful to Terry for the knowledge, expertise, and compassion that she brings to not only her store but our entire Union. Thank you Terry!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Maureen Williams

It’s #MemberMonday, and today’s spotlight is on Maureen Williams, who currently works at Fred Meyer in Covington, WA. Maureen has been working in the grocery industry since she immigrated to the U.S. from her homeland of Guyana in South America.

Originally, Maureen was a seasonal worker and cashier. Through the years, she has worked her way up and is now head of her department! In fact, Maureen is now contemplating retirement in the near future.

Maureen is a proud union member and strong worker-leader. She has been a shop steward since 2017. Most recently, Maureen attended the 2022 Safety Summit and has taken what she learned back to her store & their safety committee.

Maureen says that one of her main motivations for wanting to advocate for her coworkers is the history of the Labor movement in Guyana. One such example is Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, also known as the founding father of the Union Trade Workers in Guyana. Inspired by this history, Maureen believes it’s a necessity to stand up at work for her rights and for her coworkers who might otherwise feel powerless. In her words, being an engaged union member and workplace leader is important because “if there’s not a body of people representing the vulnerable and underdogs, we would be taken advantage of.”

Thank you Maureen for your leadership and strength! It is truly inspiring to witness you connect the organizing we need in our workplace with global movements for justice.

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Nancy Pyanowski

Nancy pyanowski, UFCW 3000 member and medical laboratory dispatcher at Labcorp

It’s #MemberMonday and today we’re spotlighting Nancy Pyanowski, a proud UFCW 3000 member who works as a medical laboratory dispatcher at Labcorp.

Nancy has a big heart & a fighting spirit; she cares deeply about her patients and her coworkers! Nancy works tirelessly to advocate for her coworkers and safety at her job. Her colleagues point out that Nancy is always ready to share her experience & knowledge, especially when it comes to their rights at work.

Nancy has really stepped up as a worker-leader, too, as she’s actively involved as a shop steward and bargaining team member for her unit. As she says: “We are the union; when we’re united & resolved, we have the power to win!”

When she’s not working, Nancy enjoys cooking & working out with her personal trainer. Nancy — thank you for your leadership at work and for reminding us how important it is to safeguard our rights at work so we can better enjoy our lives off the clock!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Sandy Pyle

Sandy Pyle (left), grocery store worker, is pictured here with her union representative, Tae (center), and a fellow UFCW 3000 member, Yasmin (right).

It’s #MemberMonday and today we are spotlighting Sandy Pyle, who has been a member of our union since 2004! Sandy works at Albertsons #419 in Port Orchard, WA, starting her career as a courtesy clerk. In the years since, Sandy has worked her way up the ladder and is now a Front-End Supervisor.

Sandy’s coworkers have seen her supporting others for many years. Whether she is educating fellow union members on their rights at work, standing up to management, or identifying & documenting safety hazards, Sandy is always helping her coworkers advocate for themselves. This same attitude extends to the customers who frequent her store, many of whom know her by name and are always happy to see Sandy.

Sandy’s leadership extends to being passionate about workplace safety as well. Recently, Sandy attended our first annual Safety Summit, bringing with her two other union members. Regardless of whether they work at her store or not, Sandy is always motivated to provide as many resources as possible to fellow frontline, essential workers. Sandy’s goals now are to train coworkers to become shop stewards or recruit them to join their stores’ safety committees.

Sandy — thank you so much for your leadership in your workplace and your community. We are so inspired!