May 1, 2010
NW10-014
To: NW
Council Representatives
From: Joel Funfar (P2), Joe Asaif (P2),
Subject: Pre-Submitted
New Business: Support of UFCW Locals 21 & 81,
Teamsters Local 38 In Negotiations With Assorted Grocery
Chains and Independent Stores
Background
SPEEA was supported by UFCW (United Food and Commercial
Workers) & Teamsters during our strike in 2000. Currently, approximately 25,000 Puget
Sound grocery store workers from 3 unions ( UFCW Locals 21 & 81 Meat cutters,
Teamsters local 38 Snohomish county), are standing together in contract negotiations for
the respect and dignity of an honest wage every day, reliable hours every week.
Grocery store workers are negotiating
a union contract with Safeway, Kroger (QFC & Fred Meyer), and Supervalu
(Albertsons) — three of the 50 biggest companies in the nation. These big
national chains boast about their strong business prospects, and their CEOs
took home a combined $30 million last year. Grocery workers don’t expect to get
rich at their jobs — but they do expect to be treated with respect, and to earn
fair pay for hard work. That’s why they’re fighting for a fair contract that
will:
Improve wages, Protect
health benefits, Secure the pension plan, Offer more
dependable work schedules with reliable hours and more than 3 day’s
notice, Provide paid sick leave, so workers can take a day
off when they are sick.
Here is a picture of
57%
are women, 30%
are 25 years old or younger, The average worker only gets scheduled to work 28 hours a week — even when they want to
work
more hours, 25% said they came to work sick in the last year because they did not have access to paid sick
leave.
Union
Grocery Stores:
The National Chains – Kroger (Includes QFC & Fred Meyer), Safeway, Supervalu (Includes
Albertsons).
Independents
- Albert’s
Red Apple,
Thriftway,
Bert’s Red Apple, Birchbay Market, Bridle Trails Red Apple, Brown & Cole,
Camano Plaza Market, Cost Cutters, Food Emporium, Food Pavilion, Forks
Thriftway, Haggen, Boulevard Park Thriftway, Front Street Market, Ken’s Korner Red
Apple, Lakemont Thriftway, Madison Market, Metropolitan Market, Mt. Vernon Red
Apple, Payless Foods, PCC Natural Markets, Prairie Center Red Apple, Red Apple (Hilltop),
Red Apple (Promenade Market), Roger’s Market Place, Saar’s, Sunset Market
Place, The Markets, Top Foods, Town & Country (Bainbridge, Ballard,
Greenwood, Mill Creek, Poulsbo, Shoreline), Tukwila Trading Company, Vashon
Thriftway, West Seattle Thriftway.
For
more information: www.ufcw21.org
The Actions:
The week leading up to Mother's Day, UFCW is launching their action plan with
six actions in six cities on six different days. Take Action to Stand UP for
Working Moms: click here to sign up for a store action in your area May 4th -
May 9th - the week leading up to Mothers Day:
http://ufcw21.org/grocery2010/working-mom-signup
Motion
It is moved that
the NW SPEEA Council supports UFCW local 21 and associated unions in their
struggle in negotiations with the national grocery store chains and independently
owned grocery stores. The NW Council requests the Executive Board provide Staff
with direction to take steps in informing our members about this issue via our
publications and information networks and urge our members to shop at union
grocery stores.
It is further moved that the Northwest Council supports
giving up to $3000.00 out of the annually budgeted labor support fund, should a
strike happen and support is needed by UFCW 21, 81 or Teamsters Local 38.
The NW council requests the SPEEA Executive Board to contact
UFCW Local 21 Leadership if a strike occurs, and help is needed, to work with
the UFCW on how to send the support.