On Monday, August 26 and Wednesday, August 28, your Bargaining Committee met with representatives from Safeway / Albertsons to continue bargaining for our new Union contracts throughout our Union’s area in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Wyoming in conjunction with UFCW 1496 in Alaska.
Our Union and the employer had productive conversations and reached a tentative agreement to update our contract language to align with Oregon State law on the required time off between shifts. In addition, a tentative agreement was reached to reduce the average hours needed to qualify for jury duty.
Our Union made proposals to strengthen our grievance and arbitration procedure – this is the part of your Union contract that allows us to enforce our agreement and hold the employer accountable to their word. This proposal included requiring the employer to provide the Union with proof if they issue discipline and allowing for more back pay if a member is unjustly suspended or terminated.
Our Union made proposals on the following:
- Add overtime for any work on the 7th day of work in a workweek;
- Reimburse the time and cost to attain a Food Handler’s Card where it is required by the State as part of your employment; and
- Improve the drug testing language to include reasonable suspicion before a drug test can be required, and limit the process to a swab test.
Your Union Bargaining Committee remains committed to fighting for significant wage increases that bring our areas up to the living wage in our communities, improving your retirement and further strengthening your healthcare. We are happy to share that unlike Fred Meyer, your employer has confirmed we are bargaining on behalf of all areas and contracts, regardless of expiration.
As you may have heard, our Union called for an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike at the Fred Meyer stores in the Portland metro area. Please show your support and come out to celebrate the Labor Day weekend by walking a picket line. The strike started on Wednesday, August 28 and is scheduled to end at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, September 3.
We are in the process of scheduling our next bargaining dates. We will keep you updated after our next bargaining session.