Grocery East Bargaining Update!
Our Union Bargaining Team: Josh Frans SWY 1799, Tresa Fairbanks SWY 3255, Vanessa Evans SWY 1473, Katrina Keffer FM 214, Amanda Bowerman SWY 1494, Shelly Clark SWY 1470, Frankie Roessner SWY 1242, Jeff Yergens SWY 3255, Joyce Laffelmacher ALB 265, James Perez SWY 502, Stephen Bunting SWY 2248, Ann Jennings SWY 1630, Vanessa Roessner ROS 126, Melisa Lozano FM 486, Kim Bristlin SWY 1159, Clayton Bennett ALB 206, Ross Cook SWY 3288, Jeff Terpening SWY 3255
As union members, every three years we get to bargain a legally binding contract that sets our wages, benefits and working conditions. Now we are starting the process of bargaining a new contract for the next three years.
“We are ready to fight for a strong contract with livable wages, better training and staffing, safety, and strong benefits!” —Vanessa Roessner (Rosauers 126) & Jeff Terpening (Safeway 3255)
This week, our Union Bargaining Team met for a full day of planning and preparation to get ready to bargain a strong contract for Grocery workers in Eastern Washington and Idaho. We spent the day discussing the bargaining process, going over the results of the Union Bargaining Survey, and preparing proposals that reflect what we need in order to make our workplaces and jobs stronger. Things like higher wages, our pension, corporate merger concerns, pandemic language and workplace safety protections.
For too long our wages have been falling behind. The cost of housing, groceries, and other living expenses are skyrocketing. Despite what the Employer may think, the cost of living is going up in all our communities and we deserve wage increases that will make these livable jobs.
We also discussed upcoming actions and brainstormed ways to show the Employer that we are serious about winning a fair contract. There are a few things we can do today to help build strength and momentum: wear a Union button, add your contact information to the phone tree, sign the Stand Together Pledge Card, and join one of the Contract Action Team meetings where we can talk about the negotiations process, ask questions, and plan next steps!