Card Kingdom - Membership Meeting Update Tenure Wage Grievance Settlement

During our recent membership meeting on October 8th, we presented the settlement reached regarding the tenure wage grievance. By choosing this settlement, we secured the best possible outcome for the entire Card Kingdom bargaining unit. If we had taken the grievance to arbitration, the Employer's interpretation could have been applied, which would have been less favorable for the bargaining unit.

• MOU on Wage Scale Interpretation: The Union and Employer have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding that clarifies the interpretation of the wage scale in Article 21. Members will receive their tenure increases on two specific dates based on their hire date: January 1st for those hired between July 28th and January 1st, and July 27th for those hired between January 2nd and July 27th. This agreement prevents significant inequity that could have arisen from the Employer's initial interpretation, which would have required some members to wait nearly an entire year for their increases. With this new language, no member will have to wait more than six months for their tenure wage increase.

• Compensation for Active Members: Each active bargaining unit member will receive 8 hours of pay.

• Backpay for Former Members: The settlement includes 50% of the backpay owed to former Card Kingdom members who were affected by the pay discrepancy.

If you have any questions regarding this settlement, please reach out to grievance representative Dominic Zinsli at (206) 436-6613 until October 23rd. After that date, your Union Representative, Allison Hanley, will be back from her out-of-state assignment and can be contacted at (206) 436-6586.

Card Kingdom - Defend our contract

Card Kingdom
Defend our contract

After workers came together to discuss a broken PTO system, we came to an agreement with Card Kingdom that benefited both the Employer and union members. There has not been the same movement on our grievance against the Employer’s current practice of giving only one raise a year. We’ve provided numerous opportunities for Card Kingdom to fulfill the raises they agreed to during negotiations, but unfortunately, they have decided to maintain their position contrary to the contract.

Contracts that have two raises a year are standard in many of the industries our union represents. Workers on these scales earn a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and receive a raise on their anniversary date until they reach the top of the scale. This is the wage scale we fought for and gained at the table. Our contract must be followed as negotiated.

During the Union’s most recent conversation with the Employer’s legal counsel, they denied any wrongdoing, falsely accused the union of deception, and indicated they had no interest in a reasonable settlement short of an arbitrator’s order.

We cannot rely on arbitration to be the only mechanism to ensure our contract is followed. Becoming a shop steward is a great way to help build union power and as we head towards arbitration, we will be holding regular union meetings to discuss how to help enforce our union contract.

Card Kingdom Forced PTO Memorandum of Understanding Vote

Card Kingdom

FORCED PTO MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING VOTE

Our union filed a grievance regarding disciplines that Card Kingdom issued after workers were forced to use PTO for missed time. Our Labor Management Committee has come to a fully recommended tentative agreement with Card Kingdom to amend the make-up time language.

This better aligns with the previous practice and addresses the issues our union originally filed the grievance about.

These changes should help workers retain more PTO to use when desired and help workers have greater peace of mind about their commute to and from work.

Our Labor Management Committee recommends a YES vote on the MOU.
All members in good standing are encouraged to vote.

Join your coworkers and vote on the new agreement!
Friday, February 16 @ 11am — 5pm
Card Kingdom 5105 Leary Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

If you have any questions, please call
Dominick Ojeda @ 206-436-6586

Card Kingdom - Defending our contract

Card Kingdom
Defending our contract

Our Labor Management Committee: Hans B. (Production), Rune S. (Shipping), Alex F. (Production)

Members on our Labor Management Committee (LMC) has been working hard to finalize the language a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Card Kingdom regarding forced use of PTO and our grievance department is continuing to fight through our wage grievance.

Here is an update on both:

PTO

We met with Card Kingdom Management again on December 13 to continue negotiations regarding forced use of PTO and how it relates to the unsatisfactory attendance section of your contract. LMC members proposed language that would protect our contractual rights and make sure no one is disciplined for missed time covered by PTO or make-up time.

Our LMC and Card Kingdom are not far apart on this agreement and we hope to have a MOU to vote on in the beginning of 2024.

WAGES

We have made clear that the Employer has a gross misinterpretation of Article 21 Wages. We have filed a grievance and after two grievance meetings, we are still in disagreement with the Employer. We will now be moving to arbitration to settle this grievance. If you believe you’re having any issues with your wages, please reach out to your Union Rep Dominick Ojeda @ 206-436-6586.

Card Kingdom - Ratification Notice! First Contract Ratified!

On July 27, 2023, OUR first ever contract was RATIFIED!

Thank you for coming out, voting on OUR contract, and ensuring OUR voice is heard. No Kings, Only Solidarity!

Alongside Just Cause protections, we won raises, a labor management committee, and solidified benefits we already had. Our contract only gets stronger after each negotiation and the way we maintain a strong union is by your involvement. The fight for a first contract is a long and hard one and winning such a great contract shows the strength and solidarity our union had throughout the process.

“This is the first ever union in this industry and we’re proud to have built it alongside our coworkers. We can claim increased wages, tenure-based raises, and severance and relocation packages amongst our wins. It hasn’t always been easy, and it won’t ever be, but that’s what fighting for a contract and a union will always be. We look forward to its continuation into the future, wherever CK is, no matter if it’s in Monroe or Hell.”

— Jeff, Bargaining Team Member

If you are interested in becoming a steward, please take this survey to be on the list for the shop steward training!

Join our union and sign the membership application here!

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Union Representative, Dominick Ojeda at ​(206) 436-6586

Card Kingdom Tentative Agreement Reached

Card Kingdom - Vote Notice

Tentative Agreement Reached

After bargaining for nine months for our first contract, our bargaining team is excited to say we have reached a tentative agreement and we recommended a YES VOTE!

We are proud of a contract that includes:

• Relocation packages for those choosing to leave CK or stay due to the move, including severance of 3 weeks + 1 week for every additional year for those who choose to leave

• Strong non-discrimination language including language requesting all employees be referred to by the names and pronouns they choose. This includes progressive discipline for those who do not refer to fellow employees by the name and pronouns they choose.

• Required anti-bias and de-escalation training for all employees covered in this agreement and all new employees within 120 days.

• More PTO and holidays

• Wage increases for the duration of the contract.

• 5 days of bereavement leave that you can take within 12 months of a loss.

• Progressive discipline rules and grievance procedures to ensure you’re protected in the workplace and disciplines follow just cause.

LEARN ABOUT YOUR CONTRACT PRIOR TO THE VOTE ON ZOOM!

Monday, July 24: 9 AM • 12 PM • 6 PM & Wednesday, July 26: 9 AM • 12 PM • 6 PM

JOIN YOUR COWORKERS AND VOTE ON YOUR NEW CONTRACT!

Thursday, July 27: 6-9 AM • 2-5 PM

Card Kingdom (Collections Office) 5105 Leary Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

Card Kingdom We are holding on core issues —it’s time for Management to step up!

Card Kingdom

We are holding on core issues —it’s time for Management to step up!

After our Bargaining Team sent over a full collective bargaining agreement proposal (including wages, benefits, and non-economic language), Card Kingdom offered little or no improvements from current working conditions.

Our Bargaining Team responded with a strong counter position and are holding on core issues important to membership. It’s time for Card Kingdom to make significant movement on their next economic counter!

Our Contract Action Team is gearing up to take action so that we get the contract we deserve. If you are interested in being engaged in the Contract Action Team, please reach out to your Union Rep Dominick Ojeda at 360-409-0595 (call or text).

The fight is on!

In Solidarity,

Our Union Bargaining Team:

Raevyn Fletcher (ON Production)

Zach Whittle (ON Machine Ops)

Mark Ochsner (AM Warehouse Specialist)

Kosmo Parker (ON Shipping)

Jeff Dunn (PM Inventory)

Lee North (AM Grading)

Card Kingdom - Bargaining Continues

On November 15, your bargaining team met with Card Kingdom to continue negotiations. Your bargaining team achieved 4 tentative agreements with Card Kingdom, including: 

• An article that addresses anti-bias and de-escalation training

• An article that creates a labor management committee to meet with your employer quarterly to address workplace issues

• An article that shows how dues are paid and how Card Kingdom will share employee information with the union

• An agreement that union members will be notified of new jobs and if they do not get the job will be able to get feedback on why

Tentative agreements mean that your bargaining team and Card Kingdom have agreed on proposed language and once they agree on an entire contract, Card Kingdom workers will review and vote on the tentative agreement to become a full contract/CBA.

We will be meeting with Card Kingdom again to continue negotiations. If you have any questions, please reach out to your bargaining team.

In Solidarity,

Cole (AM Production)

Raevyn Fletcher (ON Production)

Zach Whittle (ON Machine Ops)

Mark Ochsner (AM Warehouse Specialist)

Kosmo Parker (ON Shipping)

Jeff Dunn (PM Inventory)

Lee North (AM Grading)

Card Kingdom Bargaining Begins!

Card Kingdom

We lay out our proposals and our values

Our Union Bargaining Team: Cole (AM Production), Rio Rios (PM Production), Raevyn Fletcher (ON Production), Zach Whittle (ON Machine Ops), Mark Ochsner (AM Warehouse Specialist), Kosmo Parker (ON Shipping), Jeff Dunn (PM Inventory), Lee North (AM Grading)

On Thursday, October 27, our Bargaining Team met with Card Kingdom Management to begin contract negotiations. We proposed 7 articles that included progressive discipline and termination language, gender neutrality and inclusivity, and a community statement, with additional articles to come at future bargaining dates. We are hopeful that Management aligns with our shared values.

Although we moved forward with many articles, Management used most of the pre-scheduled time to discuss their ‘Ground Rules’ for bargaining. While not objectionable, it is an unusual level of detail to use and we hope that we can focus on progressing contract language at future bargaining dates. We will be meeting again in November with the full bargaining team. If you have additional questions or concerns that have come up since the bargaining survey, please reach out to Union Rep Dominick Ojeda (he/him) through discord, office phone 206-436-6586.