UFCW 21, 367, Teamsters 38 bargaining committee. Photo courtesy of UFCW 21 Facebook page.
Grocery store workers from Safeway, Albertson’s, QFC and Fred Meyer’s located across western Washington have been in contract negotiations since March in more than a dozen negotiation sessions.
These negotiations are joint, meaning UFCW Local 21, UFCW Local 367 and International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 38 are bargaining the contracts together gaining power and a stronger voice at the bargaining table.
“Despite our best efforts during a recent round of three days of back-to-back bargaining this week, no progress was made. Our union member Bargaining Team has unanimously recommended a strike authorization vote, which will take place Sunday, Sept. 22 through Wednesday, Sept. 25,” UFCW Local 21 representing Washington state said in a statement in mid-September.
Employers’ proposals included:
– No health care coverage for everyone working less than 30 hours a week
– No time and a half on holiday and no 10¢ above minimum wage guarantee
– No wage increase and massive cuts in many parts of our contract
“…These proposals take us in the wrong direction. I am standing up with the thousands upon thousands of co-workers who just want to be treated fairly,” said Ariana Davis, UFCW Local 21 member and Safeway employee. “These companies have the money to treat us fair.”
Since authorizing a strike, the companies and union agreed to another set of negotiation meetings scheduled for Oct. 10 and 11. “Our expectation is that they will come with a set of serious proposals,” said UFCW 21 Friday on their Facebook page.
UFCW Local 400 ‘Stands Together’ with our brothers and sisters in Western Washington who are fighting for fair wages, health care protection, retirement security and for their future well-being!