Spokane Labor World Article
UFCW 1439 Grocery Workers Ask For a Fair Contract with Our Three Biggest Employers
Our Spokane contracts with our three biggest employers-- Fred Meyer, Albertsons and Safeway expired in January and have been extended. Below are some of the areas of interest to our members:
1. Maintain Healthcare: With our union healthcare plan Spokane area grocery workers have the stability and security they need for themselves and their families. In these tough times, it’s more important than ever that healthcare costs don’t go up. Our healthcare plan has done well with minimal cost increases and stable employer premiums. Plus, we get our healthcare from local providers, so most of the money paid out in benefits stays in Spokane, creates jobs and makes our community stronger.
2. Guarantee Hours: Stores are cutting hours and hiring more part-time workers. The part-time scheme forces workers to contend with a constantly fluctuating number of work hours, and therefore, constantly fluctuating income. Many grocery workers are forced to take second jobs. We believe at least half of our members should have a 40 hour work week. Our members deserve enough hours each week to provide a livable income for their families.
3. Provide First Day Sick Pay: Our members shouldn’t be punished for being legitimately sick. Providing first day sick pay is not only critical to their health but the public health. Right now, grocery workers are only paid sick pay on the third scheduled day they are sick. Many cities, like Seattle and Portland have passed ordinances that require larger businesses to pay first day sick pay. Workers who handle food should stay home when they are sick to prevent the spread of illness. That’s just common sense.
Soon you will see yard signs start cropping up around Spokane that say: “Union Jobs Build a Stronger Community” and “Union Healthcare Creates Jobs in Spokane.” These signs are part of a positive campaign that we hope will raise awareness that union jobs aren’t just good for union members, but the whole community. Our healthcare plan not only keeps us healthy, it contributes millions of dollars to the healthcare industry in Spokane. This contribution creates jobs for nurses, nurse assistants, dental hygienists and many others. We also want to raise awareness that we are in negotiations and get the community’s support.
With your support we can get the stores to do the right thing!
Support Your Grocery Workers
· Keep shopping at our union grocery stores: Rosauers, Safeway, Albertsons, Fred Meyer and the Trading Co. meat departments.
· Display a yard sign – Call 509-328-6090
· Visit www.YourGroceryWorkers.com to stay informed about our negotiations
· Tell grocery workers you support them next time you’re at a store!
United Food and Commercial Workers’ Union Local #1439 www.YourGroceryWorkers.com; 509-328-6090
