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.

Isoray - How did negotiations go? What does a potential sale of the company mean? What are the impacts of a decertification petition?

A lot has happened over the past week. We met with the employer on December 7 and 8 to continue our fight for a first contract, which includes higher wages, more affordable healthcare, clear and fair treatment, seniority rights, a voice on the job, and more. On December 8, we were notified of a decertification petition filed in an attempt to eliminate our union, which we have worked hard to form. Then, the following Monday, December 11, we were informed of a potential sale of Isoray to GT Medical, which would be the second sale of Isoray within a year.

Our union bargaining committee is committed to continuing to fight for a contract that betters our lives and sets a minimum on what the employer must provide us. Even if a new company purchases Isoray, we want to make sure we have a voice on the job and in the process while the company changes ownership. Workers deserve to have a say in their future and a say over their working conditions and compensation, and that is exactly what a union helps to do.

On December 7 and 8, our Union Bargaining Committee came prepared to work together to find solutions to the concerns the company previously brought up regarding healthcare eligibility waiting periods in the union healthcare plan. Unfortunately, when we presented our proposal that addressed the waiting periods, Isoray rejected it, claiming that the company was not profitable and didn’t want to take on the additional expense.

We also presented a counterproposal on wages that included 10% increases between steps in certain job classifications, and set wages for years 2 and 3, with the potential for higher increases based on performance.

Now more than ever, it’s important to stand together through this process to ensure we keep our voice at the table.

Join our upcoming Zoom meeting on Monday, December 18, where we will discuss our most recent bargaining proposals, what happens if the company is sold, and the impacts of a decertification petition. Feel free to drop in any time between 5:30-7:30 pm.

Contact your Bargaining Committee or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your Bargaining Committee members or your Union Representative, Juanita Quezada, at 360-409-0557. Thank you for your continued support during this crucial time. Together, we will continue to fight for better wages, quality and affordable healthcare benefits, and improved working conditions.

Bargaining Committee: Ethan Black, Fernando Gonzalez Perez

Your Rights During Flooding and Extreme Weather Events

Once again UFCW 3000 members and communities are facing some extreme fall and winter weather, including recent flooding. It is important to remember that if you, your family, or your coworkers have been affected by extreme weather, you have rights at work, resources through your union, and the support of your community.

Important rights and resources for UFCW 3000 members if your workplace, home, or transportation routes are flooded or evacuated:

1. Just cause protections at work: With a union contract, you have “just cause” protection, meaning you should not be disciplined at work for reasonably having to deal with a circumstance outside of your control like a flood that affects your home, work, or commute to work

   • Be clear in communicating with your employer if you are unable to report to work on time or at all due to flooding or other extreme weather

   • Make sure to invoke your right to union representation if you are called into a meeting that could lead to discipline (we call these “Weingarten Rights,” read more here)

2. The right to a safe workplace: If you feel unsafe at work, report any safety concerns to your worksite safety committee & management right away, and get support from your Shop Steward and/or Union Rep if your concerns are not addressed

3. Union resources: If your home or work is affected by flooding or extreme weather and financial assistance would help, speak with your Union Rep about the UFCW 3000 Membership Assistance Fund

4. Mutual aid: As union members, we know standing together and supporting each other is how we really make a difference. If you have ideas for ways to connect with or support fellow UFCW 3000 members in need, talk to a Shop Steward and/or your Union Rep for help with organizing

Extreme weather is dangerous in our workplaces and our communities, which is why UFCW 3000 members, including our Climate Justice Advisory Board, work for climate policies that will help protect us and our future health.

Newly elected Executive Board members are sworn in!

UFCW 3000 is a union that runs on democracy. Our Executive Board of over 40 members like you, and our union's top three officers (President, Secretary Treasurer, and Recorder), are all elected by the membership. Similarly, each member gets the opportunity to vote on their contract, which governs their wages, benefits, and working conditions.
 
On Tuesday, October 24, the top officers, President Faye Guenther, Secretary Treasurer Joe Mizrahi and Recorder Maria Milliron, and the rest of the Executive Board were sworn in to a new term. Under their leadership, our union is helping to lead the way in partnering with many other locals, community organizations, elected officials, and others to advance our rights and benefits and improve and enforce laws at the local, state, and federal levels. We are also excited and looking forward to pursuing the goals in our UFCW 3000 Strategic Plan for building a stronger union. 

Kim Cordova, President of UFCW Local 7 was our special guest to help with the swearing-in process. Local 7 and Local 3000 have been staunch allies through many fights and we thank Kim for helping us out! 

Get to know our elected Executive Board members >>

WeTrain Washington is seeking a qualified Fishmonger Apprenticeship Instructor!

WeTrain Washington is seeking a qualified Fishmonger Apprenticeship Instructor! 

The Seattle Puget Sound Meatcutters and Fishmongers Apprenticeship Program is a partnership between UFCW 3000, the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), retail grocery employers, and South Seattle College. The goal of the Seattle Puget Sound Meatcutters and Fishmongers Apprenticeship Program is to share industry knowledge, skills, and techniques to develop Apprentices into highly skilled Journey Meatcutters and Fishmongers. This Fishmonger Apprenticeship program is the first of it's kind in the U.S.

The Fishmonger Apprenticeship Instructor will teach aspiring Fishmongers in the Seattle Puget Sound Region, specifically in Snohomish and Kitsap Counties. The new instructor will need to work approximately one day per week between January and August of 2024. The application deadline is November 10, 2023. 

Learn more about, and apply to the open Fishmonger Apprenticeship Instructor position here! >>

Isoray - The Waiting Continues on Economic Proposals

Our Bargaining Team recently met with Isoray Management over three days to continue contract negotiations. While we were able to reach several tentative agreements, Isoray was not prepared to give us their economic proposals. We know many of you are growing frustrated with how long negotiations are taking, and we understand as we gave the company our economic proposals almost five months ago!

The company has a meeting with their Executive Team to go over our proposals on October 19, 2023 and our next bargaining session is scheduled for November 6, 2023.

Join us for our CAT Meeting!
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
UFCW 3000 Office
2505 Duportail St, Richland WA 99352

Join us at the next Contract Action Team (CAT) Meeting where we will be going over the tentative agreements we have made as well as the rest of the proposals we are still waiting on. We will also be going over a workplace action to send a message to Isoray that we are expecting the company’s economic proposal on November 6, 2023!

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Highlights of Tentative Agreements from the last few days of negotiations:

• 10 hours between shifts to assure that workers get the rest they deserve. Premium pay of time and a half for hours worked prior to reaching the 10-hour timeframe.

• The company proposed 10-minute breaks and we were able to secure the 15-minute rest breaks you currently enjoy.

• Posted weekly schedules.

• Bereavement Leave—three paid days with an increased family eligibility.

• Ability to roll over 80 hours of sick pay instead of the state’s 40-hour max and the ability to use it upon earning it.

• Seniority after 60 days.

• Temporary employees have a 90-calendar-day timeframe to become regular employees.

• Extended contractual leaves for medical or occupational injuries.

UFCW 3000 Podcast Episode 8: So what's a union rep anyway?

I know I have a Union Rep, but who are they? What do they do? And what are my "Weingarten Rights" again? Michaela sits down with her Union Rep, Brandan, to hear more about his role and discuss rights on the job, meetings with management, and the many ways members can be involved in enforcing their contract and supporting each other. || UFCW 3000 members: you can look up your union contract and your Union Rep at https://ufcw3000.org/find-a-contract

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.

2023 Wildfire and Smoke Information for Workers

As our region again faces wildfire season, wildfires and wildfire smoke may affect us in the workplace and at home. Below are important things to know to stay safe and enforce your rights at work. Here are the most important actions to care for yourself and your coworkers during wildfire season:

1. Report any safety concerns to your worksite safety committee & management right away, and get support from your Shop Steward and/or Union Rep if your concerns are not addressed.

2. Get accommodations if needed and exercise your rights—use your sick leave if you become unwell; speak with a health care provider and use FMLA or exercise your disability rights under the ADA if you have a health condition that makes you vulnerable to wildfire smoke.

3. If your home or work is affected by wildfire and financial assistance would help, speak with your Union Rep about the UFCW 3000 Membership Assistance Fund.

Your Rights During Wildfires

If your workplace, home, or family are evacuated, burned, or otherwise affected by active wildfires:

With a union contract, you have “just cause” protection, meaning you should not be disciplined at work for reasonably having to deal with a circumstance outside of your control like a wildfire that affects your home, work, or commute to work

• Make sure to invoke your right to union representation if you are called into a meeting that could lead to discipline (we call these “Weingarten Rights” — read more here)

Workplace Safety for Wildfire Smoke

You have the right to a safe workplace, and if wildfire smoke makes your workplace unhealthy for you, you should be able to address that with your employer and get support from your Shop Steward and/or Union Rep.

MASKS

• You can wear a respirator mask at work that helps protect you against wildfire smoke.

• Most masks we wear to protect against COVID do not actually protect against wildfire smoke. The right mask to protect against wildfire smoke is an N95 mask or other respirator with the same or higher level of protection. These respirator masks should have two straps and the word “NIOSH” and/or “N95” or “N100” printed on it.

EXPOSURE TO SMOKE

• When the air is smoky, your employer should allow workers to follow basic steps that will help prevent excessive exposure to wildfire smoke—that could include things like reassigning workers to less smoky areas or allowing for extra rest and water breaks away from smoky work areas.

MEDICAL LEAVE AND ACCOMMODATIONS

• If you or a family member gets sick because of wildfire smoke, you have the right to use Paid Sick & Safe Leave for illness

• You may also be able to use your Paid Sick & Safe Leave if your child’s school or place of care, or your worksite has been shut down by a public official due to health-related reasons resulting from exposure to wildfire smoke

• If you are vulnerable to smoky air due to an existing medical condition, talk to your health care provider about your workplace and see if they have recommendations for how to keep you safe from smoke exposure. Use FMLA if needed, or exercise your disability rights under the ADA.

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General Wildfire and Smoke Information and Resources

• Airnow.gov Federal Air Quality Information

• Washington State Air Quality Map

• L&I Information on Worker Health and Smoke/Air Quality

• Department of Health Information & FAQ on Smoke from Wildfires

• How to Keep Indoor Air Clean at Home on Smoky Days (King County Public Health)

• Spokane Regional Health District: Get the Facts About Wildfire Smoke

• Washington Smoke Blog

Isoray - Progress Made on Some Key Issues, Economic Proposals Pending

Our Bargaining Team recently had our sixth bargaining session with the company, and we are making progress on several significant issues. However, we are still waiting for the company’s response to our economic proposals, such as wages and healthcare.

We understand that many of you have requested more detailed information about the proposals and their current status. Your voices matter, and we want to ensure that you have all the information you need. Here is a summary of some of the proposals we have made and their current status.

We encourage you to attend the next CAT Meeting where we will provide you with comprehensive information on each proposal made. This will also be a great opportunity for you to stay informed and actively participate in the process.

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We have reached tentative agreements on the following proposals:

• Union Representation

• Employment Practices

• Gender Neutrality

• Severability & Savings Clause

We have made progress on the following proposals, although we haven’t yet reached a tentative agreement:

• Holidays

• Vacation

• Discipline & Discharge

• Grievance Procedure

• Seniority

• Leave of Absence

• Sick & Safe Leave

We have not received a response from the company on the following proposals:

• Wages

• Healthcare

• Bereavement Leave

• Hours of Work & Overtime

• Union Security

• Retirement

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JOIN US AT THE NEXT CAT MEETING!

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

• 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Richland UFCW 3000 office

2505 Duportail St, Suite D, Richland, WA 99352

“We feel we’re making progress, and we know this is helping strengthen the work culture at Isoray.”

— Our Union Bargaining Team:

Cristal Bauer, Fernando Gonzalez-Perez, Ethan Black

If you have any questions, contact Juanita Quezada at (360) 409-0557 or Kristina Storm at (360) 630-0983.

Isoray - Bargaining Continues

Over the past few weeks, our Union Bargaining Team met with Isoray management on July 6 and 19. During these sessions, we welcomed a new bargaining committee member, Ethan Black, who will be replacing Tamra. We want to acknowledge Tamra’s excellent representation of her co-workers in the earlier sessions and wish her the best in her future endeavors.

In these last two sessions, we were able to make progress and reach tentative agreements on some important non-economic issues, such as access to the facility by the union rep and gender equality language.

Additionally, we have made progress in the discussions surrounding holidays and the grievance procedure. While there are still details to be worked out, we are making headway in these areas.

Furthermore, we presented our Health & Welfare proposal to the company, which we believe offers a great and affordable healthcare plan. This plan has the potential to result in significant savings for all workers.

Join us at the next Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting on...

• Tuesday, July 25

• 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM

• Richland UFCW 3000 office

• 2505 Duportail St, Suite D, Richland, WA 99352

...to learn more about how bargaining is going, talk about our proposals, and share your ideas! We will have more information about the healthcare plan we proposed as well!

Upcoming bargaining dates: August 15, September 13.

Our Union Bargaining Committee: Fernando Gonzalez-Perez, Tamra Neish, Cristal Bauer, Ethan Black

Isoray - Bargaining Continues

Our Bargaining Team: Fernando Gonzalez-Perez, Cristal Bauer, Tamra Neish

We had our third session on Friday, June 9, where our bargaining team presented our wage proposal to management. Our proposal included a three-year wage scale with consistent wage increases and acknowledges  experience and longevity. We believe this proposal is a fair representation of our hard work and dedication as well as stays competitive within our industry.

In addition to our wage proposal, we continued to work on the Leave of Absence language and Grievance Procedure. These items are important to us, and we’re committed to ensuring that they’re appropriately addressed in our contract.

We’re excited to continue bargaining with Isoray throughout the summer, with several bargaining dates on the calendar for July, August, and September.

Join us for the next Contract Action Team (CAT) Meeting!

• Tuesday, June 13

• 5:30pm – 6:30pm

• Richland UFCW 3000 office

• 2505 Duportail St, Suite D. Richland, WA 99352

Come learn more about how bargaining is going, talk about our proposals, and share your ideas!

Isoray Bargaining Update

We made progress during first days of negotiations

Our Union Bargaining Committee met with the Employer on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 18 and 19 for the first time to begin the process of negotiating our first contract! Over two days of bargaining our committee made good progress on proposing articles for our contract that would address union membership, access to the facility by the union representatives, a grievance process, paid holidays, paid vacation, sick leave and more. We were also able to come to several tentative agreements with the employer including contract language around just cause for discipline and discharge, new employee orientation, placement of the union bulletin board, job postings, and more.

Next bargaining sessions with the employer are scheduled for May 30 and 31, June 9 and July 6.

“We are happy with the progress we have made over the past few days and remain optimistic that we will continue to find common ground with the employer as we work to win our first contract!” — Fernado Gonzalez-Perez, Tamra Neish, Cristal Bauer

Contract Action Team Meeting!

Join us to learn more about how bargaining is going, talk about our proposals and share your ideas on what our top priorities should be at our first Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting: May 3 from 5:30pm—6:30pm at our Richland UFCW 3000 office - 2505 Duportail St, Suite D. Richland, WA 99352

Draper Valley Farms - Accelerated wage increases to start March 27

Draper Valley Farms
Accelerated wage increases to start March 27

The Company and Union have agreed to accelerating wage increases starting March 27. All union members were scheduled to receive a $0.50/hour increase on April 1, but now all union members shall receive a $1.00/hour increase on March 27, which is a combination of the original contractual wage increases from 2023 and 2024!

Additionally, we were able to win a $0.75 increase on April 1, 2024 for all union members!

The increase shall be effective March 27 and will appear on your Friday, April 7 paycheck.

Aumentos salariales acelerados a partir del 27 de Marzo

La Compañía y el la Union han acordado acelerar los incrementos salariales a partir del 27 de marzo. Todos los empleados iban a recibir $0.50/hora el 1 de abril. Ahora recibirán un aumento de $1.00/hora el 27 de marzo! El aumento es una porción de los aumentos contractuales del 2023 y 2024.

Ademas, pudimos ganar $0.75 centavos adicionales para el 1 de abril de 2024!

El aumento entrara en vigencia el 27 de marzo y aparecera en su cheque del viernes, 7 de abril.

Perspective Therapeutics - Bargaining Begins

PERSPECTIVE THERAPEUTICS
BARGAINING BEGINS

Our Union Bargaining Committee met on Thursday, March 16, to prepare for our upcoming contract negotiation with Perspective Therapeutics. During the meeting, our Committee discussed top priorities that were brought up in the bargaining survey including wages, healthcare benefits, discipline and terminations and began working on formal proposals.

Our Committee learned and reviewed the:

• Union contract bargaining process

• Bargaining language like union security that helps us build a strong union

• Just cause language that protects workers from unjust discipline and discharge

• Union representation that will make sure members have access to their Union Steward and Union Rep,

• And the grievance process that establishes a formal procedure to challenge contract violations, discipline and terminations.

We have scheduled bargaining dates with the company for Tuesday, April 18 and Wednesday, April 19.

“We won our Union election, and now we’re ready to start the process of negotiating our first contract! We are looking forward to working together with our Union and Perspective Therapeutics.” -Fernando Gonzalez-Perez, Tamra Neish, Cristal Bauer

ACME Farms + Kitchen ACME Workers Ratify First Contract!

ACME Farms + Kitchen ACME Workers Ratify First Contract!

On Friday, March 3, 2023 ACME workers overwhelmingly ratified the first contract. This one-year contract had big wins like:

• Wage Scales for all union jobs with increases based on length of service. Including language that moves the wage scale up when minimum wage goes up.

• Time-and-one-half for:

  • More than 9 hours worked in a day.

  • Work performed on holidays that ACME is operating.

  • All shifts during inclement weather events where ACME members commute to work.

• Paid holiday benefits.

• Paid time off:

  • 5 personal days a year.

  • 40 hours of vacation in the first year of employment, 80 hours for 1-4 years, & 120 hours for 5+ years (earned as you work).

  • Paid sick leave. Plus quarantine pay.

  • 7 paid days for bereavement leave for those that have more than 90+ days of employment.

• Protections from unjust termination.

• Seniority rights for hours and recall from layoff.

There are many other benefits to union members. Make sure you get signed-up as a union member right away. To get copies of the vote documents contact our Union Rep Aisha Womack at 360-419-4681.

Acme Farms + Kitchen Contract Vote Rescheduled

Acme Farms & Kitchen

VOTE MEETING RESCHEDULED

On Wednesday, February 8 our union bargaining committee reached a tentative agreement for the first Acme Farms & Kitchen Union contract! This tentative agreement is unanimously recommended contract by our Union Bargaining Committee for a “yes” vote at the ratification meeting now RESCHEDULED for Friday, March 3, 2023 at 3:30pm. It includes:

• Wage Scales for all union jobs with increases

• based on length of service.

• Paid holiday benefits.

• Paid vacation benefits.

• Protections from unjust termination.

• Many other benefits to all employees.

In-Person Contract Vote Details:

Rescheduled Vote: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak at the worksite and the Employer’s closure of the warehouse, the contract ratification vote, has been rescheduled for:

Friday March 3, 2023 at 3:30pm

909 Squalicum Way, Unit 104 Bellingham, WA 98225

All eligible current bargaining unit members are eligible to vote. Full details of the contract will be available in a vote summary document and the full version of the tentative agreement.

CANCELED: Ratification Vote | Acme Farms & Kitchen Tentative Agreement Reached!

Acme Farms & Kitchen
Tentative Agreement Reached!

On Wednesday, February 8 our union bargaining committee reached a tentative agreement for the first Acme Farms & Kitchen Union contract! This tentative agreement is unanimously recommended contract by our Union Bargaining Committee for a “yes” vote at the ratification meeting. It includes:

• Wage Scales for all union jobs with increases

• based on length of service.

• Paid holiday benefits.

• Paid vacation benefits.

• Protections from unjust termination.

• Many other benefits to all employees.

Because of the number of details to review, we will be having an on-line meeting (via Zoom) to discuss the agreement ahead of the main vote meeting: Thursday, February 16 at 4pm

In-Person Contract Vote Details:

Canceled Vote: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak at the worksite and the Employer’s closure of the warehouse, the contract ratification vote, Friday, February 24 @ 3:30pm is canceled. We will reschedule it as soon as possible. 

All eligible current bargaining unit members are eligible to vote. Full details of the contract will be available in a vote summary document and the full version of the tentative agreement.