Mariners’ workers continue to advocate for reinstatement of subsidized parking and promotional items

Shortly after the ratification of our first union contract on March 18 we learned that the Mariners Club intended to take away long established subsidies for parking and promotional items for UFCW 3000 Members at the Mariners retail stores and kiosk. During contract bargaining our Bargaining Committee proposed that the Mariners Club provide free parking to all employees at the retail and kiosk locations when scheduled to work. Ultimately the committee withdrew the proposal with the understanding that the Mariners intended to maintain the subsidized parking and promotional items as outlined in the employee handbook. Unfortunately, we have heard Management may have made the unilateral decision to revise the employee handbook removing the subsidized parking and promotional items for retail and kiosk workers.

Our Union filed a grievance on April 5 against the Mariners for removing the subsidized parking and promotional items, alleging that Management is violating our Union contract article 4 section 4.1 by removing such benefits in retaliation for Union activity. On Tuesday April 25 we will be meeting with Management in a Step 2 grievance meeting in an attempt to resolve the issue. The contract allows for up to 5 Members to participate in the meeting. If you are interested in participating, please contact one of your union representatives.

In addition to filing a grievance alleging retaliation for union activity, our Union has filed a charge with the National Labor Relation Board on April 13 alleging Management bargained with our Union in bad faith and discriminated against UFCW 3000 Members for their union activity in violation of National Labor Relations Act.

The events that have occurred since ratifying our contract around subsidized parking and promotional items are regrettable and do not reflect the type of relationship we were hoping to have with Mariners’ Management. Mariners retail workers deserve to have the same benefits we have enjoyed in previous seasons and that we believe are still offered to other non UFCW 3000 Members. We hope that during the Step 2 meeting we will be able to find common ground with the Management and restore these benefits.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our Union Reps: Mohamed Bonah (206) 436-6514 or Dominick Ojeda (206) 436-6586.