UPDATED DAILY -- M-F by 9 a.m. (Pacific)

Links to press stories are functional at the date of posting.  In some cases, free registration is required at newspapers' sites.  Links sometimes "expire" when the source would like to begin charging for old news.  WSLC Reports Today  links to all stories of interest to organized labor; some positive, some negative. The intention is to inform.  The creation of a link does not constitute an endorsement of that story's content.

Reports for August 16-20, 2004

Previous weeks' news: Aug. 9-13 -- Aug. 2-6 -- July 28-30

FRIDAY, August 20 -- State dodges Bush's OT pay take-away, no thanks to Dino Rossi
— In today's Oregonian -- Overtime rules change Monday -- State wage-and-hour laws in Washington and Oregon -- which closely mirror the old federal rules --have not changed. When differences exist, employers must follow the law most favorable to workers, state labor regulators say.
— Today from AP -- Contentious overtime overhaul to start -- President Bush is delivering to his business allies an election-year plum they've sought for decades: an unprecedented overhaul of OT pay rules.
Other local news:  — In today's Bellingham Herald -- Group Health prepares for possible strike
— In today's King County Journal -- Group Health talks break down; union appears more likely to strike (AP)
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Compared to income, state taxes hit low -- Measured against average income, Washington's state and local taxes are at their lowest level since 1981, a new report says.
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- City of Bremerton, Teamsters (IBT 589) agree on 2-year contract
— In today's Seattle P-I -- 8-year legal battle over SeaTac's third runway finally over
— In today's Olympian -- Protect National Guard, Reservists' jobs back home (editorial)
Election news: — In today's Seattle Times -- Debunking charter school politics -- Editorial: Opponents should stop trumpeting the new study finding that test scores show charter schools lag behind public schools.
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Gregoire softens stance on possible tax reform
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- Herald endorses Gregoire in Democratic primary -- Editorial: Gregoire's ties to Hanford cleanup are enough to earn her the support of Mid-Columbia Democratic voters. But even without them, her politics are closer than Sims' to Eastern Washington voters.
— In yesterday's Columbian -- Ex-legislator Jim Dunn runs again, blames others for defeat -- He says that  revelations about Sen. Joe Zarelli (R-Vancouver) fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits two years ago harmed other Republicans on the ballot. (Sen. Zarelli is up for re-election this year.)
Presidential election: — In today's Washington Post -- Kerry hits Bush for having no plan on drug costs
— At JohnKerry.com -- Kerry outlines plan to create and keep jobs in America
— In today's L.A. Times -- Bush opening Social Security debate without saying much
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Voting while black -- Herbert column: The smell of voter suppression coming out of Florida is getting stronger. An investigation, in which state troopers have gone into the homes of elderly black voters in a bizarre hunt for evidence of election fraud, is being conducted despite a finding last May "that there was no basis to support the allegations of election fraud."
Other national news: — In today's Seattle Times -- 300,000 seek 3,000 dockworker jobs in California
— In today's L.A. Times -- United Airlines "likely" to cancel pensions; would be largest pension failure ever
....plus -- California Senate OKs minimum wage increase to $7.75; Arnold mum on whether he'll veto

THURSDAY, August 19 -- WSLC Convention agenda kicks off with Labor Neighbor, golf
Also today -- No new Group Health talks scheduled; company looks to hire scab nurses
— In today's Seattle Times -- Group Health and labor not talking -- SEIU decries "extremely offensive" strike preparations by GHC, noting that the money could better be spent on its own employees.
— In today's Oregonian -- Fred Meyer shifting custodial work -- Company will outsource to subcontractors starting next month, affect more than 300 unionized workers in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- OT fight is hardly a labor of love; controversy won't die soon (column) 
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Defense worker changes misguided -- Editorial: Workers need a measure of stability and job security if they can be expected to produce quality work in shipyards and other defense industries. Murray, Dicks, Inslee and the unions are right to oppose the DOD's heavy-handed changes that could damage our defense industry and national security rather than improve them.
— In yesterday's Longview Daily News -- Rainier teachers weigh contract options; strike still possible
— In today's Salem S-J -- Judge rules anti-union tax activist Sizemore liable for fraud (he says he's broke)
Election news: — In today's Seattle Times -- Charter-school study sparks debate
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- WEA backs Billings in race for state superintendent of schools (AP)
— In the Columbian -- Unionist (Ferrell), ex-GOP parole office (Campbell) face off in 17th LD primary
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Babies and bath water -- MUST-READ op-ed: Nothing is gained by infantilizing Bush. A lot of very smart people voted for him in 2000. Dismissing him as a stupid child, and these voters as stupid-children-by-association, is no way to win them back. It shifts focus from the Cheneys, Rumsfelds, Ashcrofts and Wolfowitzes, the men who promised us short, easy wars and painless little suspensions of the Geneva Conventions. These are the men of the secret energy-policy meetings. They aren't a bunch of rowdy juveniles. They are one of the most secretive, powerful administrations in recent memory. Whether Bush could outscore your kids on the SAT is a distraction from that fact.
— In today's Washington Post -- New records contradict Kerry critic's version of Vietnam events
At AFLCIO.org -- America's workers set to protest Bush's overtime pay take-away
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Rising health benefit costs cited as factor in job slump -- File under: Well, duh!
...plus -- How to define a good job -- Krueger op-ed: Bush and Kerry are talking about good jobs versus bad jobs. A lot of workers just want to know what the average pay is.
— In today's L.A. Times -- Verizon Wireless says union deal over -- Pact expires on recognizing card- check organizing and not criticizing unions. Verizon says CWA and IBEW failed to sign anyone up. 
— In today's Washington Post -- US Airways issues grim warning of another imminent bankruptcy

WEDNESDAY, August 18 -- Valley Medical Center nurses OK contract -- In stark contrast to Group Health's strike-prompting demands, Valley's new deal improves health and other benefits.
...also today -- AFGE picket at Seattle VA hospital on Aug. 31 will call for better funding
— In yesterday's Walla Walla U-B -- VA should delay its study of health care -- Editorial: There's no way a study of the Walla Walla VA hospital will be done, at least not done well, by the Jan. 1 deadline.
Other local news: — In today's Spokesman-Review -- Sacred Heart LPNs face tough choices with layoffs
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Murray, PSNS unions slam personnel system -- Sen. Patty Murray blasts President Bush and the Defense Department for trying to take away basic collective bargaining rights.
— In today's Everett Herald -- Unlikely duo (Bush and Murray) fights Airbus subsidies (Corliss column)
— In today's Olympian -- Catholic Community Service home care workers agree on contract
— In today's Seattle P-I -- State surge in hiring is led by Seattle
— In today's King County Journal -- Bellevue teachers "overwhelmingly" approve contract
— In today's Skagit Valley Herald -- Police union casts vote of no confidence in Sedro-Woolley chief
— In today's Salem S-J -- Hospital tax approved, giving thousands of low-income Oregonians health care
...plus -- Former CEO might get paid millions while in prison for Capital Consultants loan scandal
Election news: — In today's Bremerton Sun -- Charter schools under fire -- Advocates brush off new data showing charter schools lag behind public schools in test scores. Voters will decide (again) this fall.
— In today's Seattle Times -- Ad attacks Nethercutt campaign ...plus -- Sims hopes to ride light rail to win
— In today's News Tribune -- Sims talks -- and doesn't -- about taxes (AP)
...plus -- Pick a party for state's new primary election; no one's going to tell (editorial)
— In today's King County Journal -- Journal endorses Alben, Tebelius in the 8th CD (editorial)
— In yesterday's Columbian -- Columbian endorses Senn for Attorney General in primary (editorial)
Other national news: — In today's Olympian -- Bush's new overtime rules start next week (but not here)
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Bush lauds workers at war plants (the only manufacturing jobs left)
— Today from Reuters -- 3,200 customer-service reps at America West vote to join Teamsters
— In today's Washington Post -- Firm that screwed up sick nuclear workers' program exceeded authority
...plus -- Recruiting problem looms for U.S. civil service -- More than half of respondents in a national survey to be released today said they would not be interested in working for the federal government.
— In today's Seattle Times -- Outsourcing: The strains of global capitalism -- Op-ed: Another implication of a shift of wealth is a frightening increase in demand for the world's natural resources. Already, China's increased demand for oil is blamed in part for the increase in oil prices. And we ain't seen nothing yet!
— Todat at BusinessWeek.com -- Drugmakers "blackmail the public" -- Author Marica Angell says her research shows their huge influence over Congress, the FDA, and doctors is harming Americans.

TUESDAY, August 17 -- Catholic Comm. Services home care workers win tentative pact
Today at AFLCIO.org -- Bush tax cuts, trade deficits slam America's middle class
— In today's Seattle P-I -- America's income gap grows; the rich get richer -- The income gap has steadily increased between the richest Americans, who own homes and stocks and got big tax breaks, and those at the middle and bottom of the pay scale, whose paychecks buy less. Data show Bush's tax cuts have shifted the overall tax burden to the middle class from the wealthiest Americans.
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Nation's charter schools lag behind public schools, test scores reveal -- The findings, buried in data the Education Dept. released without public announcement but unearthed by the American Federation of Teachers, dealt a blow to the charter school movement, including the Bush administration. (And hopefully, to this fall's labor-opposed charter schools Ref. 55.)
Other local news: — In today's Spokesman-Review -- Sacred Heart lays off 174 -- Hospital execs blame "deadbeat patients" (also known as working-but-uninsured Americans). Laid-off workers, mostly LPNs with UFCW 1001 (which got 40 minutes advance notice of the layoffs), "are making the ultimate sacrifice to help stabilize the medical center (now expected to turn a 3% profit)," said CEO Skip Davis. "May God bless every one of them"... except one LPN who tried to observe the press event but was told to leave. Security workers were called, but she left on her own. (God bless media training).
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Puget Sound supermarket contract is approved (AP)
— In today's Seattle Times -- U.S. tells EU it wants to end pact allowing Airbus subsidies
— In today's Everett Herald -- Effects of Marysville teachers' strike linger
Election news: — In today's Seattle P-I -- Political parties unite in fight against "top two" primary
— In today's Salem (Ore.) S-J -- Bush campaign appearances are limited to supporters
...plus -- Nader campaign might have forged signatures; SEIU says names copied from phone book
Other national news: — In today's L.A. Times -- Hotels, union (UNITE-HERE) meet with federal mediator -- The union wants a 2-year deal in an effort to line up contracts across the country to expire at the same time in 2006. The hotels are insisting on a 5-year contract and say talks are at an impasse.
— In today's Seattle Times -- Bush's tax-cut policies put economy in the tank (op-ed)
— In today's Washington Post -- Appalachia is paying price for White House rule change -- By reclassifying debris as "fill" instead of "waste," the Bush administration has revived "mountaintop removal," a mining industry practice that has dumped thousands of tons of rocky debris into valleys, permanently burying more than 700 miles of mountain streams. It's a case study of how Bush reshapes policy in the face of fierce opposition. Rather than propose broad changes or drafting new legislation, officials take existing rules and make subtle tweaks that carry large consequences. (Up next, overtime pay.)

MONDAY, August 16 -- Grocery workers vote "yes," maintain affordable health care
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Grocery workers OK contracts, averting strike
...also see coverage in today's Seattle Times and (Tacoma) News Tribune 
Also today -- Legislative fliers available for union members -- Fliers comparing WSLC-endorsed candidates for state legislature with their opponents are now available in selected races. Click here.
— In Saturday's Olympian -- State workers march to hasten labor talks -- Demonstrators' chanting grew insanely loud when members of the Washington Federation of State Employees crowded into the stone-lined hall that leads to Gov. Locke's offices. Their action came on the same day Locke's labor negotiators began earnest discussions on health-care coverage with a coalition of 19 unions.
— In today's News Tribune -- EU puts Airbus, Boeing subsidies issue back in Bush's court -- EU says it will consider "disciplining" government support to Airbus, but only if U.S. does the same for Boeing.
— In Sunday's Columbian -- Uninsured a health hazard -- Of the 550,000 people in Washington without health care insurance coverage, 75% have jobs, but they or their employer can't afford coverage.
— In Sunday's Spokesman-Review -- Health coverage must be affordable (editorial)
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Humane immigration -- Editorial: The justice system batters the rights of immigrants. The nation is almost a decade into a repressive experiment with the wholesale short-circuiting of legal processes, massive detentions and arbitrary administrative decisions.
— In today's Billings (Mont.) Gazette -- City employees' strike continues as Teamsters reject contract offer
Election News: — In today's Olympian -- Poll shows Bush down 9 points in Washington state
— In today's News Tribune -- Senate candidate Nethercutt supports new Internet sales tax
— In today's King Co. Journal -- Three Democrats and four Republicans battle for shot at Dunn's seat (AP)
— In yesterday's Longview Daily News -- Local "Bush-bashers" converge on Portland for Kerry rally -- Many locals said they were affiliated with the Cowlitz/Wahkiakum Central Labor Council and were supporting Kerry because of his plan to create jobs.
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Supress the vote? -- Herbert column: The long and ugly tradition of suppressing the black vote is alive and thriving in Florida. State police officers are going into the homes of elderly black voters in Orlando and interrogated them as part of an odd "investigation" that has frightened many voters, intimidated elderly volunteers and thrown a chill over efforts to get out the black vote.
New at AFLCIO.org -- Bush policies encourage companies to send jobs overseas 
— In Sunday's Washington Post -- Bush makes OSHA more "business-friendly" -- In the past 3½ years, OSHA, the federal agency in charge of workers' well-being, has eliminated nearly five times as many pending standards as it has completed. It has not started any major new health or safety rules, setting Bush apart from the previous three presidents, including Ronald Reagan.
— In today's L.A. Times -- Caterpillar workers reject proposal, but UAW says 9,000 will keep working
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Wal-Mart tries to shine its image by supporting public broadcasting

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20
State dodges Bush's OT pay take-away, no thanks to Rossi

THURSDAY, AUGUST 19
WSLC convention agenda kicks off with Labor Neighbor, golf

Also Sunday is the 1st Annual WSLC Invitational Golf Tournament -- with all proceeds benefiting Community Services -- at the North Shore Golf Course, 4101 North Shore Blvd. NE. There will be prizes, a raffle and a barbecue lunch. Registration is $90 for individuals (BBQ-only tickets are also available). Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the shotgun start for the 18-hole scramble-rules tournament is at 8 a.m.  For more information, call the Puget Sound Labor Agency at (206) 448-9277.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22

8 a.m. -- 1st Annual WSLC Invitational Golf Tournament to benefit Community Services @ North Shore Golf Course (see above)

Noon-5 p.m. -- Special Labor Neighbor walk in Tacoma (see above)

4-5:30 p.m. -- Food & Beverage Section Meeting
5:30-8 p.m. -- Industrial Unions/Miscellaneous Trades Reception
 
6-8 p.m. -- Convention Registration @ Rotunda

MONDAY, AUGUST 23

7:30 a.m. -- Registration @ Rotunda
-- Miscellaneous Trades Executive Board Meeting
-- Sgt-at-Arms & Rules of Order Breakfast
 
8 a.m. -- New Delegates Workshop
 
9 a.m. -- CONVENTION CONVENES
9:30 a.m. -- Rick Bender, opening speech
10:00 a.m. -- U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, keynote speaker
10:30 a.m. -- Sept. 2nd Labor Neighbor Challenge (Diane McDaniel)
10:45 a.m. -- Bob Crittenden on Health Care
11:20 a.m. -- Alex Alben, 8th CD Candidate
11:30 a.m. -- Brian Sonntag, State Auditor Candidate
11:45 a.m. -- Mother Jones Award
Noon -- Late Resolutions; nominations for election board
-- Adjourn for lunch
 
1:30 - 3 p.m. -- WORKSHOPS
-- Workers' Compensation, It Covers More Than You Think; Drug-Free Workplaces; Congressional Labor Liaisons
 
2 - 5 p.m. -- COMMITTEES
-- Resolutions; Legislative; Safety & Health (2-3 p.m.); Grievance (if needed); Constitutional; Card & Label (3-4 p.m.)
 
3:15 - 4:45 p.m. -- WORKSHOPS
-- Grassroots Political Action; Trade Act; Communicating on Health Care

5 - 6:30 p.m. -- Maritime Trades Section Meeting
5 - 7 p.m. -- Industrial Union Section Meeting
 
7 - 9 p.m. STATEWIDE COPE
 
8:30 p.m. -- Movie: “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24

7:30 - 9 a.m. -- Miscellaneous Trades Section Meeting
8:30 a.m. -- CLC Breakfast
  
9:00 a.m. -- CONVENTION RECONVENES
9:10 a.m. -- Clayola Brown, UNITE/HERE
9:30 a.m. -- Carl Mack, NAACP
9:50 a.m. -- Outsourcing Panel w/Naomi Walker, Philip Mattera and Marcus Courtney
10:20 a.m. -- Lora Jo Foo, AFL-CIO, on Voter Issues
10:45 a.m. -- Chuck Hodell, National Labor College
10:55 a.m. -- Sen. Lisa Brown, Senate Democratic Leader
11:05 a.m. -- U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee
11:10 a.m. -- Doug Orr on Pensions & Social Security Issues
11:40 a.m. -- U.S. Rep. Adam Smith
11:45 a.m. -- Insurance Commissioner Mike Kriedler, Candidate
11:50 a.m. -- U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks
Noon -- Power to the People Awards
-- Adjourn for lunch
 
12:15 - 1:15 p.m. -- President's Club Lunch (Sam Rodriguez, Speaker)
 
1:30 - 3:00 p.m. -- WORKSHOPS
-- Grassroots Political Action; Outsourcing Will Your Job Be Shipped Overseas?; Community Colleges / National Labor College

3:15 - 4:45 p.m. -- WORKSHOPS
-- Pensions and Social Security; Show Us the Money (Economic Development Resources); Organizing for a Stronger Labor Movement
 
5:30 - 8 p.m. -- COPE Barbecue @ Courtyard
 
8 p.m. -- COPE Auction and Karaoke @ Rotunda

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25

9:00 a.m. -- CONVENTION RECONVENES 
9:15 a.m. -- King County Executive Ron Sims, Gubernatorial Candidate
9:30 a.m. -- Workers’ Compensation Issues – Rick Bender & Robby Stern
9:45 a.m. -- Attorney General Christine Gregoire, Gubernatorial Candidate
10:00 a.m. -- Deborah Senn, Attorney General Candidate
10:15 a.m. -- Laura Ruderman, Secretary of State Candidate
10:30 a.m. -- Rep. Frank Chopp, House Speaker
10:45 a.m. -- Bruce Brennan Award
10:50 a.m. -- Rep. Mike Cooper, Lands Commissioner Candidate
11:00 a.m. -- Legislator of the Year Award
11:10 a.m. -- Sandy Matheson, 4th CD Candidate
11:15 a.m. -- Election Board Balloting
11:25 a.m. -- Mary Kay Becker, Supreme Court Candidate
11:30 a.m. -- Robert Alsdorf, Supreme Court Candidate
11:40 a.m. -- Announcement on Health Care Action
Noon -- MEMORIAL SERVICE for members and leaders who've recently passed
-- Adjourn for lunch
 
12:15 - 2:00 p.m. -- Affordable Health Care Action in solidarity with state employees and Group Health nurses and caregivers (click here for details)
 
12:30 p.m. LUNCH
 
2:00 p.m. -- CONVENTION RECONVENES 
2:15 p.m. -- Statewide COPE (endorsement) Action
3:15 p.m. -- Resolutions (if time allows)
3:40 p.m. -- U.S. Rep. Brian Baird
3:50 p.m. -- Don Barbieri, 5th CD Candidate
4:00 p.m. -- U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen
4:15 p.m. -- State Treasurer Mike Murphy, Candidate
-- Session adjourns
 
6:00 p.m. -- Reception & Women’s Committee Silent Auction @ Rotunda & Courtyard

7:00 p.m. -- Convention Banquet 
-- U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, speaker
-- Elsie Schrader Award
 
9:00 p.m. -- Dance featuring “The Boomers”

THURSDAY, AUGUST 26

9:00 a.m. -- CONVENTION RECONVENES 
9:05 a.m. -- AFL-CIO President John Sweeney
10:00 a.m. -- Resolutions continue until completed, then convention adjourns (will break for lunch, if necessary)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 19
No new Group Health talks; company looks to hire scab nurses

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18
Valley nurses OK contract in stark contrast to Group Health

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18
AFGE picket at Seattle VA hospital will call for better funding

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17
Catholic Comm. Services home care workers win tentative pact

The following press release is being distributed today by the Service Employees International Union Local 775, Washington's Long-Term Care Union:

Home Care Workers Reach Agreement 
With Catholic Community Services On Union Contract
Raises, Better Access To Benefits For 1500 Caregivers 
At State’s Largest Private Home Care Agency

SEATTLE – 1,500 home care workers reached tentative agreement with Catholic Community Services on a new union wage and benefit package, which includes a raise of more than 4% and improved access to dental benefits for caregivers. There were no reductions in wages or benefits, and no increases in health care costs, in the new agreement.

“This is another step forward for home care workers and the elderly and disabled clients we care for,” said Bremerton caregiver and SEIU Local 775 Executive Board member Eddy Hayes. “It’s a win-win for caregivers, clients, and CCS – it’ll help us recruit and keep more qualified caregivers so we can help seniors live in their own homes with dignity and respect.”

SEIU Local 775 represents 1,500 home care workers at Catholic Community Services, the largest private sector home care agency in the state. The workers went back to the bargaining table this summer to renegotiate the union contract after winning a 50-cent increase in compensation from the state legislature this year.

“This shows what can happen when workers join together for a stronger voice. Home care workers used to be invisible – but by raising our voices and holding politicians accountable we’ve won more than $1.25/hr in new wages and benefits over the last two years,” said Hayes.

New contract provisions include:

• A wage scale adjustment of $0.37 cents/hour (roughly equivalent to 4.3%)

• Dental eligibility at 6 months (9 months in the original contract)

• Workers who work between 1/2-time and 3/4-time will be eligible to enroll in the dental plan at a 50% employer co-premium

• Mileage reimbursement will increase from $0.27 to $0.31 per mile

• Four holidays will be paid time-and-a-half

• Elimination of a lower “windshield” rate for travel time pay

• Elimination of a lower “training” rate for training pay

SEIU Local 775, Washington’s Long-Term Care Union, represents more than 28,000 home care and nursing home workers across Washington State.

For more information, contact Adam Glickman at (206) 838-3210.

MONDAY, AUGUST 16
Grocery workers vote "yes," maintain affordable health care

PUGET SOUND GROCERY WORKERS RATIFY AGREEMENT!
PUGET SOUND GROCERY WORKERS MAINTAIN AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE

Puget Sound Workers at Safeway, Kroger (QFC and Fred Meyer),
Albertsons, and Independent Supermarkets Ratify New Contract

SEATTLE (8/15/04) -- By an overwhelming margin, about 11,000 Puget Sound grocery workers and meat cutters ratified a new contract agreement with their employers, Safeway, Kroger (QFC and Fred Meyer), Albertsons, as well as some independent grocery stores.

For the last four months since their contract first expired on May 2, 2004, grocery workers faced the loss of affordable health care benefits and huge cuts in wages The members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Locals 44, 81, 381 and 1105, as well as Teamsters Local 38, reached out to customers, local religious leaders, elected officials and union members for support that helped secure a new contract that protects health benefits for grocery workers and their families.

Workers began reaching out for support from the community after early negotiations with the three supermarket giants did not result in an agreement. UFCW members were forced on strike in Southern California for nearly 5 months over demands to eliminate affordable health care for workers. Neither workers nor customers wanted to see an unnecessary strike tear apart the Puget Sound community.

“This contract proves that solidarity works. UFCW local unions working together with labor, community and religious leaders made sure Safeway, Kroger and Albertsons understood that we will do whatever it takes for health care,” said Geralyn Lutty, UFCW International Vice President and Regional Director.

The new three-year agreement:

• Maintains affordable health care for current and future employees and retirees;
• Improves worker retirement benefits; and
• Increases wages

“This agreement does exactly what we set out to do – protect affordable health care benefits,” said Sharon McCann, President of UFCW Local 1105. “A big thank you goes out to the entire community who voiced their support of grocery workers in their struggle for livable wages and health care.”

UFCW members in the Puget Sound reached out and garnered public support for a contract that preserves health care by walking in neighborhoods with customer pledge cards, collecting petition signatures, direct mail to customers, public events and other community outreach.

Sarah Bright, a Safeway employee and member of UFCW 1105, said of the agreement, “After all of these months of intense negotiations, I am so happy to have contract in place that protects the wages and benefits that we have earned.”

UFCW members are currently bargaining with Albertsons, Safeway and Kroger in Northern California where the contract covering nearly 50,000 workers expires in September.