Washington Beef - Vote Scheduled! ¡Votación Programada!

Jueves, 14 de noviembre
WA Beef – 201 Elmwood Rd
el comedor de Fabricación

  • 5:00AM – 7:00AM

  • 2:00PM – 5:00PM

Thursday, November 14
WA Beef – 201 Elmwood Rd
Fabrication Breakroom

  • 5:00AM – 7:00AM

  • 2:00PM – 5:00PM


Vote Notice for WA Beef Contract
Bargaining Team Recommends Vote “YES”

Your Union bargaining team returned to negotiations on October 29 & 30. On October 30, the company presented its final offer, which includes amongst other things:

  • A salary increase of $1 in the first year and 50 cents in the following two years.

  • $75 for work shoes/boots for employees with at least one year of service.

  • An increase of $200 to $400 for tools for mechanics/maintenance.

  • No changes to the Medical insurance and 401K.

  • This contract would last for 3 years.

While this contract may seem insufficient to us, as we know we can achieve better wages given that the industry is highly organized in the country, we understand that this increase is historic for this company.This is just a small example of what we can achieve if we are UNITED and ORGANIZED. Imagine how far we can go together.

"This is the first of many good things that will come for workers, who truly deserve something dignified because we know the work they do and what workers mean to this company."

— Juan Carlos Cervantes

The Union Negotiations Committee recommends that its members vote YES on the company's final offer, but with the hope that we can continue the conversation with all members, as it is time to organize better.

"This is the beginning of many good things that will come in the contracts."

— Alondra Ceballos

History begins to be written today, and together, we are the protagonists.We are confident that, in three years, we will be able to negotiate a better collective bargaining agreement, as we will be stronger and each committee will have the support of union members.

"Workers need to attend the meetings because for the next contract, we need to come educated; we need to know our rights. These coming years will be 3 years of organization, and we want representatives from each table for the committee in the next contract."

— Araceli Brito

For now, we invite members to come to the vote for this new contract on November 14.

You may attend any time during the polling times to vote. The full final offer will be available to review at the vote. All members in good standing are eligible and encouraged to vote.

"Before, they didn't even give us $1, but it's the first time people are coming together in the Union, and now everyone wants to know their rights; this is a good start for next time."

— Edgar Rodriguez

With a Union, WE write the future.

Noticia de Votación de Contrato de Washington Beef
Equipo de Negociación de UFCW 3000 Recomendamos que Votes “SI”

Regresamos a negociaciones el 29 y 30 de Octubre. En el último día, el 30 de Octubre, Washington Beef presentó su oferta final, que consiste entre otras cosas:

  • Aumento de salario de $1 dólar el primer año y 50 centavos los siguientes dos años.

  • $75 dólares para compra de zapatos a los empleados con al menos un año de antigüedad.

  • Aumento de $200 a $400 dólares en herramientas para el personal de mantenimiento.

  • Se mantuvo el seguro médico y el de 401K.

  • Este contrato sería de 3 años.

Si bien, para nosotros, este trato parece insuficiente, pues sabemos que podemos acceder a mejores sueldos ya que la industria está altamente organizada en el país, entendemos que este aumento es histórico en esta compañía.Esta es sólo una pequeña muestra de lo que podemos lograr si estamos UNIDOS y organizados. Imaginen hasta dónde podremos llegar juntos.

"Esta es la primera de muchas cosas buenas que van a venir para los trabajadores, que en realidad se merecen algo digno porque sabemos el trabajo que hacen y lo que significa el trabajador para esta compañía."

— Juan Carlos Cervantes

El Comité de Negociaciones de la Unión recomienda a sus miembros, votar SÍ a la oferta final de la compañía, pero con la esperanza de que podamos continuar la conversación con todos los miembros, ya que es momento para organizarnos mejor.

"Esto es el comienzo de muchas cosas buenas que vienen en los contratos."

— Alondra Ceballos

La historia se comienza a escribir hoy y todos juntos somos los protagonistas.Estamos seguros que, en tres años, podremos negociar un mejor contrato colectivo de trabajo, ya que seremos más fuertes y cada uno de los comités contará con el apoyo los trabajadores afiliados a la Unión.

"Los trabajadores tienen que ir a las reuniones, porque el próximo contrato tenemos que llegar educados, tenemos que saber cuáles son nuestros derechos. Estos años que siguen serán 3 años de organización y queremos que haya representantes de cada mesa el comité en el próximo contrato."

— Araceli Brito

Por lo pronto, invitamos a los miembros para que el día 14 de noviembre, acudan a la votación para este nuevo contrato laboral.

Puede asistir en cualquier momento durante el horario de votación para emitir su voto. La oferta final completa estará disponible para su revisión en el momento de la votación. Todos los miembros al corriente en sus pagos son elegibles y se les anima a votar.

"Antes no nos habían dado ni $1 dólar, pero es la primera vez que la gente se está uniendo a la Unión y ahora todos quieren saber sus derechos, esto es un buen comienzo para la próxima vez."

— Edgar Rodriguez

Con Unión NOSOTROS escribimos el futuro.


UFCW 3000 Member Story: Twin City Foods Bargaining Team

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Twin City Foods Bargaining Team

Six out of the Seven Bargaining Committee members had never sat at a bargaining table before, and this is only the second contract fight for the workers at Twin City Foods (TCF).

Seis de los siete miembros del Comité de Negociación nunca se habían sentado en una mesa de negociaciones antes, y esta es solo la segunda lucha contractual para los trabajadores de Twin City Foods (TCF).

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Twin City Foods Contract Ratified! ¡CONTRATO RATIFICADO!

Twin City Foods Contract Ratified! ¡CONTRATO RATIFICADO!

We are happy to announce that the recommended tentative agreement, reached by our union bargaining committee, has been approved by an overwhelming majority of members!

¡Nos alegra anunciar que el acuerdo tentativo recomendado, alcanzado por nuestro comité de negociación de la Unión, ha sido aprobado por una mayoría de miembros!

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Twin City Foods - Tentative Agreement Reached! Contract Vote Scheduled! ¡Se Ha Alcanzado Un Acuerdo Tentativo! ¡Votación Del Contrato Programada!

Twin City Foods - Tentative Agreement Reached!  Contract Vote Scheduled!  ¡Se Ha Alcanzado Un Acuerdo Tentativo! ¡Votación Del Contrato Programada!

Our Union Bargaining Team is very proud of the hard work and unity achieved in this bargaining round. After many negotiating dates, we finally reached a tentative agreement with the company. Our bargaining committee recommends a YES vote!

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Twin City Foods - Actualización De Negociación / Bargaining Update

Nos reunimos con la compañía en los últimos dos días donde presentamos todas nuestras propuestas que incluyen incrementos de salario en comparación al mercado laboral.

Desafortunadamente, una de las primeras propuestas que la compañía Twin City Foods nos hizo fue incrementar el seguro médico a un 15%, elevando el costo total para los empleados al 25%! Ahora que la compañía tiene todas nuestras propuestas, esperamos que para el 26 de agosto nos den respuestas justas para todos los empleados. Confiamos en que en los próximos días de negociación podamos obtener un contrato que valore el arduo trabajo de todos los trabajadores en todos los departamentos.

De parte del comité negociador, les damos las gracias a todos por apoyarnos y por asistir al convivio el domingo pasado. ¡Compartir con ustedes fuera del trabajo siempre es una bonita experiencia! 

Over the last two days, your union bargaining team met with Twin City Foods representatives to continue contract negotiations. We presented all our proposals, which included our wage proposal that we believe is comparable to the labor market.

Unfortunately, one of the first proposals we received from Twin City Foods was to increase the health insurance cost for workers by 15% (from 10% to 25%)! Now that Twin City Foods has all of our proposals, we await their response. Next contract negotiations are scheduled for August 26 and 29. We are hopeful that in the upcoming days of negotiation, we can get closer to a fair contract that values the hard work of all employees in every department.

On behalf of the negotiation committee, we thank you all for your support and for attending the gathering last Sunday. Sharing time with you outside of work is always a great experience! 

UFCW 3000 Podcast Episode 12: Macys Unfair Labor Practice Strikes

UFCW 3000 Podcast Episode 12: Macys Unfair Labor Practice Strikes

When we last talked about Unfair Labor Practice Strikes it involved nurses at a hospital. Unfair Labor Practice Strikes in other industries often look very different. Michaela talks with Macy’s retail workers who went on strike in Black Friday in 2023 and again on MLK Day 2024 about the unfair labor practices and reasons that they went on strike during their contract negotiations. She also interviews community members about why they joined the Macy’s picket lines, and reviews the differences and similarities between Macy’s and her career in healthcare. Please note that this episode has parts where both English and Spanish are spoken.

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Twin City Foods - Meet your union Bargaining team! ¡Conoce a tu equipo de negociación!

Last month we finalized our union bargaining team and had our first meeting where we audited the current contract, discussed top priorities based on the surveys that our members filled out, and started drafting proposals.

This will be the second union contract at Twin City Foods, and a great opportunity to build on and improve our first contract! It is more important than ever to be united, get involved, and support your bargaining team!

We have sent the company a request for dates to meet, and as we wait for official dates to begin, we will be holding another Contract Action Team meeting. These meetings are a great place to bring workplace issues, plan workplace actions, and get more detailed information.

Join us at the next Contract Action Team meeting!

Wednesday, July 17 at the Pasco Public Library

1320 W Hopkins St, Pasco, WA

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM or 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM

If you have any questions, please call your Union Rep Odalys Gonzalez at (360) 409-0558.

El mes pasado finalizamos nuestro equipo de negociación de la Unión y tuvimos nuestra primera reunión donde auditamos el contrato actual, discutimos las prioridades basadas en los cuestionarios que miembros completaron, y comenzamos a trabajar en las propuestas.  

¡Este será el segundo contrato de la Unión en Twin City Foods, y una gran oportunidad para mejorar nuestro primer contrato! ¡Es más importante que nunca estar unidos, involucrarse en este proceso y apoyar a su equipo de negociación!  

Le hemos pedido fechas a la compañía, y mientras esperamos las fechas oficiales para comenzar, tendremos otra reunión del Equipo de Acción del Contrato. Estas reuniones son un excelente lugar para hablar sobre problemas en el trabajo, planificar acciones en el trabajo y obtener información más detallada. 

La próxima reunión del Equipo de Acción del Contrato!

Miércoles, 17 de julio en la Biblioteca Pública de Pasco 1320 W Hopkins St, Pasco, WA 

11:30 am - 2:00 pm o 3:30 pm – 6 pm  

Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor llame a su Representante Odalys González al 360-409-0558. 


Bornstein Seafoods Bargaining Update Company Closure - Actualización De Negociaciónes Cierre De La Compania

On June 6 and 25, we met with Bornstein’s following the early closure of the last production line on May 30. Senior union bargaining committee members Monica Araujo, Oscar Mendoza, and Jose Collado joined us at negotiations with the company’s representatives to address the impact of the closure and layoffs, as well as to discuss potential benefits for employees who have shown dedication to the employer, particularly during the closure of operations.

Unfortunately, we are still very much apart when it comes to severance pay. However, progress has been made concerning vacation payouts and health and welfare benefits for affected employees. The company has informed us that they will provide a response to our last proposal by the end of the week.

Furthermore, there is a disagreement between the Union and the employer regarding the circumstances of the facility’s early closure. Currently, the union is actively exploring all legal options in this matter.

We know that you have a lot of questions around your 401k benefits and vacation banks. We have reached out to Principal Financial, the 401k administrator, and are planning to have a meeting so that they are able to provide you all with any options available to you.

If you have any questions regarding your 401k benefit, vacation pay, need assistance with job search, or anything else, please feel free to contact us. You can reach out to union representative Ryan Conejo Sauno at (360) 202-9263 or Director of Packing/Processing Kristina Storm at (360) 630-0983.


El 6 y 25 de junio, nos reunimos con Bornstein Seafoods después del cierre inesperado de la última línea de producción el 30 de mayo. Los miembros de la union que fueron parte del comité de negociación, Mónica Araujo, Oscar Mendoza, y Jose Collado nos acompañaron en las negociaciones con los representantes de la compania para hablar sobre el impacto del cierre y los despidos, y para discutir posibles beneficios para los empleados que han mostrado dedicación al empleador, especialmente durante el cierre de operaciones.

Desafortunadamente, todavía estamos muy distantes en el pago por despido. Sin embargo, si se llego un poco mas a un acuerdo sobre los pagos de vacaciones y los beneficios del Seguro medico para los empleados afectados. La empresa nos ha informado que nos dara una respuesta a nuestra propuesta para el final de esta semana.

Además, hay un desacuerdo entre la Union y el empleador con respecto a las circunstancias del cierre del 30 de mayo que habian notificado que seria el 19 de junio. Actualmente, la Union está explorando activamente todas las opciones legales en este asunto.

Sabemos que tienen muchas preguntas sobre sus beneficios de 401k y sobre las vacaciones. Nos hemos comunicado con Principal Financial, el administrador de 401k, y estamos planeando una reunión para que puedan darles todas las opciones disponibles.

Si tienen alguna pregunta sobre su beneficio de 401k, pago de vacaciones, necesitan ayuda con la búsqueda de empleo, o cualquier otra cosa, no duden en llamarnos. Pueden comunicarse con el representante Ryan Conejo Sauno al 360-202-9263 o con la Directora de Empaque/Procesamiento Kristina Storm al 360-630-0983.

UFCW 3000 Member Days at the Park! Tickets on Sale NOW!

Each year we gather together with fellow UFCW 3000 members across the region for summer days at the park, an opportunity for some union-sponsored family fun and a great chance to meet and talk with other union members.

This year we're excited to add a new summer event for members, supporting our longtime community partner Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Game Day for Domestic Violence Prevention at T-Mobile Park!

Refuse to Abuse Game Day is Sunday, June 16, and for every ticket sold our longtime community partner the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV) receives an $18 donation and attendees get a free Mariners-themed Refuse to Abuse® Dri-fit T-shirt. Tickets are View Level for the Mariners vs. Texas Rangers game and cost $35. WSCADV has shown up for our members in many ways over the years and we look forward to this fundraiser and opportunity to share the belief that domestic violence is 100% preventable!

In addition, our other summer fun events have been popular each year and continue to be a great way to celebrate with family and union friends:

Sunday, June 16: Refuse to Abuse Mariners Game Day (Seattle, WA)
Mariners tickets on sale now through Friday, June 14 at 5pm >>
$35

​Tuesday, August 6: UFCW 3000 Day at Silverwood Theme Park (Athol, ID)
Tickets on sale now through July 19, while supplies last! >>
$40.00 adult/$25.00 youth or senior
Ticket includes:

  • all day access to Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Water Park

  • all you can eat buffet picnic-style lunch @ the banquet pavilion (starting at 12pm noon)

  • unlimited drink refill wristband

Thursday, August 8: UFCW 3000 Day at Wild Waves Theme & Water Park (Federal Way, WA)
Tickets on sale now through July 19, while supplies last! >>
$20.00 adult/$15.00 youth or senior

Friday, September 13: UFCW 3000 Day at the Pendleton Round Up (Pendleton, OR)
Tickets on sale soon

Puget Sound Meatcutters Apprenticeship Program: Over 100 Years of Union History

Puget Sound Meatcutters Apprenticeship Program: Over 100 Years of Union History

The Seattle Meatcutters Apprenticeship was established as a union-sponsored apprenticeship school on May 17, 1946 to increase the skills, abilities, and knowledge of meatcutters, which in turn led to higher wages and benefits for these highly trained workers.

Read More

Franz Outlet Stores - Tentative Agreement Reached—Vote Scheduled!

After months of negotiations, including three Union’s unanimously voting to authorize a strike—UFCW 3000, 367 and Teamsters 38—we have reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement with Franz!

Our new contract includes significant increases in our wages as well as over a 20% increase in our pension contributions by the end of the contract. More details will be shared in the coming days as Union Representative Tae Abraham reaches out ahead of the vote.

Everyone will also be provided with a document outlining all the changes as well as a full copy of the proposed contract while voting on Tuesday, May 14.

Franz Contract Ratification Vote

Tuesday, May 14 from 6:00 am – 5:00 pm

Online through “Simply Voting”

We will be voting online via “SimplyVoting” on Tuesday, May 14 from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm. You will be receiving an email from UFCW 3000 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information. Your Union Representative will also be making visits to the workplace to provide additional information regarding the vote.

In order to vote, everyone needs to make sure their personal email is up to date in our records. If you did not receive this announcement via email, please visit our website and update your information. If you do not receive an email to vote, then please reach out to Union Representative Tae Abraham (206) 436-6631 to provide an updated email address.

Franz Bakeries Strike Authorized

On Friday April 19, UFCW Local 3000 members working at Franz Bakery Outlets voted unanimously to reject the Employer’s offer and to authorize a strike. Our Union Negotiating Committee now heads into federal mediation next week with a clear mandate to demand more from Franz. It should now be evident to Management that their offer is insufficient, and they must increase it to align more closely with the wages of bakery clerks at neighboring Union grocery stores.

We will resume negotiations with the employer and a federal mediator on Tuesday, April 30. Further updates will follow.

Franz Outlet Stores - Strike Authorization Vote Notice​

We have been in Union contract negotiations with Franz since January, fighting for wage increases that would align more closely with what bakery employees are paid at Safeway and Fred Meyer stores. Unfortunately, Franz has repeatedly rejected our proposals as they don’t agree that we deserve to be paid the same as grocery store workers.

We are now bringing in a federal mediator to help the parties reach an agreement, but we will need to take NOW action to show Franz that our frustration is more than just talk! To that end, we will be conducting an online STRIKE AUTHORIZATION VOTE on Friday April 19, showing Franz that we find their offer unacceptable and are willing to take collective action to secure a fair contract.

While authorizing a strike does not mean that we’ll walk off the job the next day, but it does authorize our bargaining team to call a strike if necessary. We will also reach out to the Teamsters, who drive Franz trucks, to seek their support in our fight for a fair contract. Their support could be instrumental in building leverage towards a fair contract since Franz cannot operate without their truck drivers.

Franz Strike Authorization Vote
Friday, April 19 from 12:00AM – 5:00PM
Online through “Simply Voting”

We will be voting online via “SimplyVoting” on Friday, April 19 from 12:00AM to 5:00PM. You will be receiving an email from UFCW 3000 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information. Your Union Representative will also be making visits to the workplace to provide additional information regarding the vote. In order to vote, everyone needs to make sure their personal email is up to date in our records. 

If you did not receive this announcement via email, please visit this page and update your information. If you do not receive an email to vote on Friday, April 19, then please reach out to Union Representative Tae Abraham 206-436-6631 to provide an updated email address.

Progress made in ‘23 – Building for more in ‘24

Progress made in ‘23 – Building for more in ‘24

Our union came into 2023 with some great successes, like winning a "best in a generation" contract for 25,000 Western Washington grocery store workers, but we also faced some huge challenges. Health care workers continued to be crushed by severe staffing shortages at hospitals that threatened both patient and caregiver safety alike, and at the same time, we had just learned of a proposed mega-merger between Kroger and Albertsons that threatened layoffs, store closures, and higher prices. 2023 was shaping up to be a big year.
 
UFCW 3000 members working in health care, grocery stores, food processing plants, retail businesses, and many other industries are fundamentally linked to the communities we work and live in. We are the essential workers that our communities depend on every day. That is why the challenges we face, like ferocious corporate greed that under-staffs us to make huge record profits, or the extreme and growing inequality between the wealthiest one percent and everyday working people are not just a problem for our workplaces —they are problems for our entire community. Greed and inequality are also underlying and insidious drivers of systemic racism and sexism —pitting us against each other, while an economic appetite of extraction and churn threatens the future of humanity itself. These toxic realities of greed and inequity also threaten our most cherished aspirations of democracy, freedom, and a better life for the next generation.

If together, as organized workers and communities, we want to fight back and build a better future, we are going to have to face these challenges head-on. While we recognize we still have a lot of problems and a lot of work to do to make things better in 2024, we also think it is important to celebrate the fact that we have been a leader in our region and around the nation —attacking these problems, making an impact, and being part of the movement to turn things around for the better.

Here’s a snapshot of some of our accomplishments from 2023, our wins as a collective union of workers in action. 

In 2023...

  • We won important reforms at our UFCW International Convention and began the much-needed campaign for greater reforms in the future. Learn more about our local's fight to bring democracy to the UFCW >>

  • We joined the 'year of strikes' when thousands of UFCW 3000 members voted to authorize ULP strikes: The nurses at Providence Everett and workers at Macy’s in Southcenter, Alderwood, and Bellingham went on strike in 2023. Both strikes were joined by hundreds of community supporters while thousands signed petitions in support of these striking workers.
    Providence strike recap video >> 
    Macy's strike recap video >>

  • We passed a Safer Staffing Law! Working in a first of its kind in the region, a coalition with SEIU Healthcare1199NW, WSNA and UFCW 3000 worked to pass the historic ESSB 5236 Safe Staffing legislation that will take steps towards ensuring safer hospital staffing levels across WA. Learn more about the Safe Staffing legislation >>

  • We opened a new Union Hall in Des Moines! After completing the sale of our flagship office of over 20 years in Seattle to the Seattle Labor Temple, we held an open house in our brand new union hall in Des Moines. This new location will save money, be more accessible to members (it is located on the new Light Rail route), and be a gathering space for members. Learn more about UFCW 3000 office locations >>

  • Our elected Executive Board made of rank-and-file members adopted a powerful new 5-year strategic plan to guide our union and prioritize our work until 2028. Learn more about the Strategic Five Year Plan >>

  • Our Executive Board also helped begin a national call from labor unions for a ceasefire in Gaza. Learn more about the petition for peace >>

  • Had fun! Thousands of members and their families attended UFCW 3000’s summer events at Wild Waves in Federal Way, WA, and Silverwood in Idaho. Save the date for the next Summer Picnics at the Park: Silverwood is August 6 and Wild Waves is August 8.

  • Union member bargaining teams won 8 first-time contracts and ratified 30 new contracts with higher wages, improved benefits and better working conditions.

  • Held off the grocery store mega-merger by being instrumental in building a national coalition of unions that includes UFCW locals 5, 7, 324, 400, 770, 1564 and 3000 and community groups including 55 from our own region to oppose the Kroger and Albertsons mega-merger. We have successfully lobbied —through data, testimony, and evidence to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) who has recently ruled in our favor and decided to reject this proposed mega-merger! Learn more about efforts to stop the mega-merger >>

  • In 2023 we organized hundreds of new members! New organizing wins from determined organizing committees both big and small resulted in hundreds of new members joining our union. Welcome Ferry County, Downtown Dog Lounge, REI Bellingham, MultiCare Auburn Pros, and Fred Meyer Port Orchard General Merchandise, and our first Cannabis producer contract at Mfused, who won a standard-setting contract in the cannabis industry.

  • People powered politics in action: Our member-led endorsement committee interviewed 57 candidates for local office. 68 members participated in our Political Action Advisory Committee and were able to help win a new just cause standard for grocery store workers around retail theft. Learn more about our People-Powered Politics agenda >>

  • The Essential Workers Organizing Academy is up and running! The program was broken up into three distinct phases: training, internal organizing, and external organizing/preparing for strikes. Apprentice organizers supported on campaigns that included Macy’s, Bartell Drugs, Fred Meyer, PCC, Providence Everett, as well as political and community projects. Congratulation to the first EWOA graduating class of 2023! Learn more about EWOA >>

  • Enforced our rights: Together as members, stewards, and union Reps we work hard to ensure members’ rights are protected and that the process is transparent, and management is held accountable to our members, our contract, and the law. In 2023 we had to file 182 grievances against management that could not be resolved at the worksite level. 

  • Got the training to empower ourselves: Over 300 members participated in a union training in 2023. These trainings included topics like Weingarten training and enforcement, Leaders in Action, New Member Meetings, Grievance Training, Retirement Seminars, and more. Learn more about upcoming union trainings >>

  • No union should be an island. We support others in their struggles and UFCW 3000 attended strikes, showed solidarity and gave other support for Starbucks Workers United in Washington and around the nation.

And in 2024 we’ll fight for even more.

Franz Bakeries Bargaining Update

Our Union Contract was initially set to expire in November of 2023, but the Employer requested that we postpone Negotiations to January 2024. We granted their requested delay since they promised retro pay during the delay for whatever wage increase is eventually agreed upon.

We had our first bargaining date on January 16, 2024, and among many other improvements, we proposed wage increases that would align more closely with what bakery employees are paid at Safeway and Fred Meyer stores. Our work is very similar to the work of grocery store bakery employees, and we deserve equal pay for equal work.

Unfortunately, Franz doesn’t agree that we deserve to be paid the same as grocery store workers and tried to argue to our Bargaining Team that we should only compare our wages to other Franz Bakery Outlets. It’s generally not a good practice to compare wages with yourself, a fair market analysis looks at wages at competitors who are in competition for workers.

Making matters worse, the employer wage proposal of $19.79/hour for clerks is actually LOWER THAN MINIMUM WAGE in both Seattle and Tukwila, not to mention lower than the $22.15/hr UFCW 3000 grocery stores bakery employees earn. When we remind the employer that their proposal is lower than minimum wage, they proudly state, "no it's not, Franz agreed to language that our wages will not be less than .15 cents above minimum wage." How insulting is it for our employer to think we find it acceptable for the wage in our contract to be less than minimum wage, but we should be grateful that they agree not to pay less than .15 cents more!

We are now bringing in a federal mediator to help the parties reach an agreement, but we will need to take action to show Franz, the employer, that we find their proposal to be unacceptable! Our Bargaining Team will reach out to the Teamsters, who drive Franz trucks, to seek their support in our fight for a fair contract. Their support could be instrumental in building leverage towards a fair contract since Franz cannot operate without their truck drivers.

What are you willing to do to win a fair contract?

Contact Union Representative Tae Abraham at 206-436-6631 to discuss how we can win a fair contract.

UFCW 3000 Podcast Episode 11: Our Union and Politics

How and why does a union engage with politics? What's the "people power" we talk about in "people-powered politics"? Michaela talks with UFCW 3000 political organizer Derrick about the power of union members taking an active role in local and state elections and in politics beyond elections. Washington State legislature is now in session, and while this was recorded before the recent elections, it's also about all the work that UFCW 3000 members will now be doing to hold those elected lawmakers accountable! They discuss the potential corporate grocery mega-merger that our local is fighting against, and at the end of the episode you'll hear from longtime grocery worker and UFCW 3000 member Naomi speaking out at a press conference about that merger. Learn more about our political advocacy work, our 2024 legislative agenda, how to register to vote, and more at our website: https://ufcw3000.org/people-powered-politics Our Winter General Membership Meetings, also discussed here, are also coming up! Find your local quarterly meeting at: https://ufcw3000.org/gmmcall

UFCW 3000 union shop steward Michaela is always ready to answer fellow members’ questions about their union. She’s also a devoted murder podcast listener. Put those interests together, and she decided to start a union podcast to get all her coworkers’ questions and her own questions answered, and to meet as many people as possible who could share what it means to be a part of UFCW 3000. (No murder on this podcast, only solidarity!)

*The information shared on this podcast is offered by rank and file union member leaders of UFCW 3000. There may be inaccuracies or misstatements shared, as members will be speaking from the lenses of their perspectives and life experiences. While members are doing their best to share good information, we can make no claims to 100% accuracy and this podcast should not be construed as legal advice.