Author: SRegas

Workers at Fred Meyer to Vote to Authorize ULP Strike

Tigard, Oregon – Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555, which represents over 35,000 essential workers in Oregon, SW Washington, and Idaho, will be voting to authorize their Union Leadership to call for an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike against Fred Meyer.

Bargaining Update – Unity Retail: Local 555 and Employer Exchange Wage Proposals

On August 5 and August 6, your Bargaining Committee met for the second time with representatives from Kroger and Fred Meyer to continue bargaining for our new Union contracts with Fred Meyer and QFC.

Your Union presented proposals to increase your wages and pension (retirement benefit). Our proposals will hold your employer to the public promises that they have made, in light of the pending merger, to significantly invest in your wages and retirement.

Measure 119 – United for Cannabis Workers Act – Qualifies for 2024 Ballot

Oregon – Measure 119, United for Cannabis Workers Act, has qualified for the 2024 election statewide in Oregon. If passed, the measure would ensure that cannabis workers’ freedoms to organize and bargain collectively are protected under state law. No one would be required to join a union, but workers would have the freedom to do so if they choose.

Bargaining Update – Unity Retail: Union and Albertsons-Safeway Exchange Initial Proposals

On Monday, July 29, your Bargaining Committee began bargaining for our new Union contracts throughout our Union’s area where we represent workers in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Representatives from Albertsons and Safeway received our initial bargaining proposals for all Albertsons and Safeway grocery and meat contracts in Oregon and Washington.

Bargaining Update – Unity Retail: Local 555 meets with Kroger for First Round

Union files Unfair Labor Practice in response to Employer failure to provide bargaining team with legally required data before start of negotiations. Today, your Bargaining Committee began bargaining for our new Union contracts throughout our Union’s area where we represent workers in Oregon and Washington. Representatives from Kroger, Fred Meyer, and QFC received our initial bargaining proposals for all Fred Meyer and QFC grocery and meat contracts.

UFCW 555 turns in signatures for IP 35: United for Cannabis Workers Act

Oregon – On Friday, July 5, 2024 UFCW Local 555 delivered over 163,000 signatures to the Oregon Secretary of State for verification of IP 35, about 46,000 more than what is required to qualify for the November ballot. Once verified, the initiative turned ballot measure is expected to appear on the 2024 general election ballot statewide.

UFCW 555 meets with C&S over Kroger Merger and Divestiture

Oregon, SW Washington, Idaho – Soon the FTC will approve or deny the merger between Kroger and Cerberus owned Albertsons/Safeway. As part of the merger plan, C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC has agreed to purchase hundreds of stores along with other assets that will need to be divested. Many of these store locations will be in Oregon, Idaho, and SW Washington.

UFCW 555 and Kaiser Permanente Resume Bargaining Today

Oregon & SW Washington – The Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Strike for Imaging and Pharmacy departments continues, while bargaining is ongoing today. Kaiser continues to tell the press and our members that our Union proposal for a 42% wage increase over 4 years is “unreasonable,” while settling for similar amounts in the less profitable Washington Kaiser Permanente region (KPWA).

Kaiser Permanente Imaging workers to walk out tomorrow Morning

Oregon & SW Washington – UFCW 555 members working under the Imaging Services contract will join pharmacy technicians and clerks on the ULP strike line tomorrow morning, as previous bargaining sessions have yet to yield a Tentative Agreement. While UFCW 555 is not discouraging patients from seeking care, Kaiser Permanente patients may experience delays or cancellations of appointments as Kaiser struggles to find qualified and licensed replacement professionals.

Kaiser Permanente Imaging Workers to Start ULP Strike

Oregon & SW Washington – Yesterday, UFCW 555 notified KP of a ULP strike for our members working under the Imaging Services contract. These professionals include X-ray, Mammography, MRI, CT, Nuclear Medicine, EEG, Cardiovascular lab, Special Procedures Technologists, Sonographers, Dosimetrist, Radiation Therapists, and Imaging Assistants.