UFCW 3000 Member Story: St. Michael Medical Center Bargaining Team

Susan Mayer, Pamela Reese, Vanessa RosaDino, and Christy Sammons

The bargaining team at Saint Michael Medical Center has been meeting with the Employer for over a month to negotiate a new contract working conditions for themselves and their coworkers. The bargain is now well into the economic parts of the agreement, and the committee is learning fast that their employer, Catholic Health Initiatives, needs to not just hear from them, but from everyone working at St. Michael Medical Center.

So, Susan, Pamela, Vanessa, and Christy are talking to their coworkers and collecting stories to share at the bargaining table about what would make their workplace better, and what effect of management’s proposals would have; because an injury to one is an injury to all.

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Liisa Luick

Liisa Luick shop steward and Bargaining Team member from Alderwood Macy’s!

Liisa Luick is a dedicated shop steward from Macy's at the Alderwood Mall where she has worked since 2008. She loves advocating for her coworkers and fellow union members, knows her contract, and makes sure that store management knows it too.

When Macy’s reopened after the COVID-19 lockdown ended, Liisa also stepped up to make sure that safety issues with the ongoing pandemic and short staffing coupled with the ever-increasing problem of unruly customers and organized retail theft were being addressed. She went on to be featured as a spokesperson for her coworkers in the local press and the New York Times to highlight these important safety issues.

Recently she helped organize leaflets at her store in support of members of UFCW Local 5 working at the San Francisco Macy's, who had been negotiating their contract for over 8 months! Liisa also flew to the Bay Area to join UFCW 5 members at the bargaining table in a show of solidarity at what would be the final negotiation session where Local 5 reached a tentative agreement.

Liisa brought her experience back to her coworkers and joined the bargaining committee for the Macy’s contract negotiations that have gotten underway. As a member of the committee, she knows that the Union’s power starts and ends with what members are willing to do to fight for a fair contract. Liisa and all the Macy’s stewards and leaders keep their coworkers organized and out at every action. Way to go Liisa!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Shukri Hashi fighting for Safe Housing

Shukri Hashi works at SeaTac Airport in Hudson News retail stores, has been a longtime shop steward, and served on the bargaining committee representing her coworkers during negotiations for their union contract. Shukri’s activism also extends outside her job and includes fighting for better protections for renters with the Stay Housed, Stay Healthy Coalition.

As protections for keeping people housed during the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic have been brought to an end, it has pushed many vulnerable families into crisis and some have become unhoused. Shukri has seen that when this happens it ripples outward and disrupts our communities and neighborhoods. She recently testified at a SeaTac City Council meeting calling on the city to pass protections for renters like capping late fees, strong just cause requirements for evictions, and having rental assistance programs that will help prevent another public health crisis while we continue to deal with the ongoing pandemic.

Shukri wants union members to know that together we can fight for healthy communities and justice on and off the job.

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Krystal Krotzer

Krystal Krotzer beams over the win of retro pay for her and her coworkers!

Shop steward Krystal Krotzer works as a pharmacy tech for Kaiser Permanente in Spokane. As a leader, Krystal took on an arduous fight with her union rep to get Kaiser to make good on owed retroactive pay dating back to December 2021. She helped gather evidence for the group grievance and didn’t give up until her coworkers got paid. Moving forward Krystal’s stewardship will be much appreciated by her fellow Kaiser union members. Good work Krystal!

Welcome to our Union Seattle Kraken Team Store workers

Welcome to UFCW 3000 Seattle Kraken Team Store workers! After Mariners retail workers joined our union in September, the team made a thrilling playoff run—will the Kraken follow suit? When we fight, we all win!

With Mariners and Kraken Team Stores now union, that’s 200 new good union jobs in our city’s sports stadiums. Together we will be fighting to raise wages and improve standards for workers who support our favorite sports teams. Congratulations to all!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Dawn Harris

Dawn Harris, grocery store worker at safeway fairwood & proud ufcw 3000 member

It’s #WorkerWednesday, and today we are spotlighting Dawn Harris, a grocery store worker at Safeway #519 in Fairwood! Dawn is a strong workplace leader and is currently being trained as a shop steward for her store.

Dawn recently attended the 2022 Safety Summit with a cohort of coworkers from her store and is excited to continue to grow as an effective advocate for her & her coworkers’ rights on the job. Dawn is passionate about the arts and sports (biggest Seahawks fan around!) and loves spending time with her family.

Dawn, thanks for all your hard work on behalf of your community, coworkers, and fellow union members. If you shop at Safeway in Fairwood, be sure to say hi!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Terry Lakes

Terry Lakes, UFCW 3000 member & GROCERY STORE WORKER AT FRED MEYER

It’s #MemberMonday, and today we’re spotlighting Terry Lakes, who currently works at Fred Meyer in Auburn, where she’s worked for the past 33 years!

Terry is originally from Iowa, but moved to Auburn, WA at a young age and considers both places her home. While Terry started her career in healthcare, working in a nursing home, she has been in the grocery industry for so many years because of her bond with her coworkers and customers. For Terry, her coworkers are like family! Terry is always ready to greet you, whether you’re a customer or a coworker, with a warm smile.

Terry’s solidarity with her coworkers has also motivated her to be a leader in her workplace. Since 2015, she’s been a shop steward, and in recent years, she’s also been active in getting coworkers, customers, and community members involved in contract campaigns.

When she’s not working, Terry loves to read and tend to her home. We are so grateful to Terry for the knowledge, expertise, and compassion that she brings to not only her store but our entire Union. Thank you Terry!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Maureen Williams

It’s #MemberMonday, and today’s spotlight is on Maureen Williams, who currently works at Fred Meyer in Covington, WA. Maureen has been working in the grocery industry since she immigrated to the U.S. from her homeland of Guyana in South America.

Originally, Maureen was a seasonal worker and cashier. Through the years, she has worked her way up and is now head of her department! In fact, Maureen is now contemplating retirement in the near future.

Maureen is a proud union member and strong worker-leader. She has been a shop steward since 2017. Most recently, Maureen attended the 2022 Safety Summit and has taken what she learned back to her store & their safety committee.

Maureen says that one of her main motivations for wanting to advocate for her coworkers is the history of the Labor movement in Guyana. One such example is Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, also known as the founding father of the Union Trade Workers in Guyana. Inspired by this history, Maureen believes it’s a necessity to stand up at work for her rights and for her coworkers who might otherwise feel powerless. In her words, being an engaged union member and workplace leader is important because “if there’s not a body of people representing the vulnerable and underdogs, we would be taken advantage of.”

Thank you Maureen for your leadership and strength! It is truly inspiring to witness you connect the organizing we need in our workplace with global movements for justice.

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Nancy Pyanowski

Nancy pyanowski, UFCW 3000 member and medical laboratory dispatcher at Labcorp

It’s #MemberMonday and today we’re spotlighting Nancy Pyanowski, a proud UFCW 3000 member who works as a medical laboratory dispatcher at Labcorp.

Nancy has a big heart & a fighting spirit; she cares deeply about her patients and her coworkers! Nancy works tirelessly to advocate for her coworkers and safety at her job. Her colleagues point out that Nancy is always ready to share her experience & knowledge, especially when it comes to their rights at work.

Nancy has really stepped up as a worker-leader, too, as she’s actively involved as a shop steward and bargaining team member for her unit. As she says: “We are the union; when we’re united & resolved, we have the power to win!”

When she’s not working, Nancy enjoys cooking & working out with her personal trainer. Nancy — thank you for your leadership at work and for reminding us how important it is to safeguard our rights at work so we can better enjoy our lives off the clock!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Sandy Pyle

Sandy Pyle (left), grocery store worker, is pictured here with her union representative, Tae (center), and a fellow UFCW 3000 member, Yasmin (right).

It’s #MemberMonday and today we are spotlighting Sandy Pyle, who has been a member of our union since 2004! Sandy works at Albertsons #419 in Port Orchard, WA, starting her career as a courtesy clerk. In the years since, Sandy has worked her way up the ladder and is now a Front-End Supervisor.

Sandy’s coworkers have seen her supporting others for many years. Whether she is educating fellow union members on their rights at work, standing up to management, or identifying & documenting safety hazards, Sandy is always helping her coworkers advocate for themselves. This same attitude extends to the customers who frequent her store, many of whom know her by name and are always happy to see Sandy.

Sandy’s leadership extends to being passionate about workplace safety as well. Recently, Sandy attended our first annual Safety Summit, bringing with her two other union members. Regardless of whether they work at her store or not, Sandy is always motivated to provide as many resources as possible to fellow frontline, essential workers. Sandy’s goals now are to train coworkers to become shop stewards or recruit them to join their stores’ safety committees.

Sandy — thank you so much for your leadership in your workplace and your community. We are so inspired!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Safeway #1550 Workers Organize to Win!

#WorkerWednesday is here and we want to spotlight the incredible organizing being done by grocery store workers & proud UFCW 3000 members at Safeway #1550 in the Roosevelt neighborhood of Seattle, WA.

Like many frontline, #EssentialWorkers at grocery stores across the PNW, the workers at Safeway #1550 have been dealing with many safety issues: cars being broken into, verbal assault, and harassment. One top concern was simply having a coded door to their break room so that workers could feel safe, knowing their personal belongings were not accessible to the public. Despite submitting the most store incident reports in their district to corporate about their concerns, management did not take any steps to address these issues.

One of the workers at Safeway #1550, Joaquin Viralta, came up with the idea of getting his coworkers to sign onto a petition. Leaders like Ian Bangs and many others soon took the drafted petition to their coworkers, getting over 80% of the store to sign on within 3 weeks. Ian and other worker-leaders represented their coworkers by delivering this petition to management. The workers received a commitment from management to: 1) install a coded break room door, 2) supply adequate PPE for each department, and 3) begin a program to help members get to their cars at night safe & sound.

This victory was only possible because of leaders like Joaquin and Ian stepping up, encouraging their coworkers to get involved with the union, and trying tactics like safety reports & the petition to successfully advocate for the change they needed in their workplace.

To all the worker-leaders at Safeway #1550: we are so inspired by your creativity & dedication!