Stand with Grocery Workers in UFCW 21

[eridani]

Grocery workers (members of UFCW 21) have been in bargaining since March 2013 with Albertson's, Fred Meyers, Safeway and QFC. Members say the latest contract proposal cuts healthcare for thousands of employees, reduces holiday pay, removes guarantees above minimum wage and freezes the lowest worker salaries. Although the bargaining applies to workers in King, Snohomish, Kitsap and Pierce Counties, workers in Whatcom and Skagit Counties will face the same cuts next year. Now is the time to stand with the workers. There is bargaining today, October 10 and tomorrow, October 11. If there is no movement by management, there may be a strike. Workers need to know we are behind them.

Actions to take:
1. When you shop at Albertson's, Safeway, Fred Meyers or QFC, ask to speak to the manager in charge at the time. Tell them you support the workers' fight for a fair contract.

2. Tell the manager you will not be shopping at their store if there is a strike. (Alternative stores include Haggen, The Markets, Cost Cutter and Red Apple).

3. Tell the grocery cashier you support his or her fight for a fair contract.

4. Please spread this to your e-mail and facebook networks.

[uppityperson]

1. Thank you, was just reading something from a friend who works at one of those.

It is good to see what's going on. Please let us know if there is a strike. Thanks and good luck.

[daleanime]

2. K&R....

[eridani]

3. Grocery Store Worker Negotiations Continue

Two weeks ago, members of UFCW 21 & 367 and Teamsters 38 voted by 98% to reject a long list of proposals from CEOs of the big national grocery chains. These unacceptable proposals included:

•Essentially no wage increase for three more years
•Denial of paid sick days for all workers outside Seattle
•Cutting off part-time workers from health care coverage
•Increasing costs & reduced benefits in the health plan
•Cutting holiday pay when workers have to spend the day away from their families
•Increasing the amount of time it takes to get to the top rate of pay to over 10,000 hours
•Cutting the 10 cent above minimum wage guarantee for the lowest paid workers
Since the vote results on 9/26, community support has continued to grow, and picket schedules have been created store by store. The strong votes and the increased pressure on the employers have resulted in their withdrawing several proposals including the attempt to cut workers off health care if they work less than 30 hours a week. While this is progress, there is still a long way to go to reach a fair contract.

There is no question that the strong support of the broader community has been very important in the decision of the employers to withdraw a number of proposals. It is essential that the community continues to make its voice heard in support of a fair contract.

What can you do to show your support?

We hand over coupons to help us save money on our grocery bills every single day. How about using coupons to show our support for all of the hard-working grocery store workers in our area? Print off coupons from StandWithOurCheckers.com, and then take one or more of the following actions:

1.Post the coupon to Safeway’s corporate website and include your reason for caring about the workers. The other employer websites may be contacted a bit later.
http://standwithourcheckers.com/coupons/

2.Sign your coupon and give it to a store manager at an Albertson’s, QFC, Safeway and/or Fred Meyer. Take a picture and post it on the StandWithOurCheckers Facebook page.

3.If you are shopping, tape the coupon to your shirt or the side of your shopping cart. Let everyone in the store (workers, shoppers, management) know that you support a fair contract. Have someone take your picture and post it to the StandWithOurCheckers Facebook page.
​



\