Tag Archives: ufcw 21

Union responds to Haggen bankruptcy

Haggans01_15364108_ver1.0_640_480A deal that promised to put tiny grocery chain Haggen on the fast track to becoming a regional power has instead resulted in a train wreck.

The Bellingham-based grocer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday, saying it would sell off assets and reorganize around its profitable stores.

The move came after Haggen announced it would close or sell 27 of the 146 stores it acquired from Albertsons and Safeway (the closures didn’t include any of the three Kitsap County Haggen stores). Haggen also sued Albertsons for $1 billion claiming the grocery giant sabotaged Haggen’s expansion effort.

All of this leaves Haggen’s roughly 11,000 employees in an uncertain position. It’s likely more stores will be sold off as part of the reorganization.

Hours have been cut at some Puget Sound stores, the Seattle Times reported. The company owes employees $10 million in unpaid salaries, accrued wages and overtime pay, according to the Puget Sound Business Journal.

According to statements circulated Thursday by employee union UFCW 21, Haggen workers found out about the bankruptcy filing from news reports.

Below are two statements from UFCW 21 responding to the Haggen bankruptcy. The first was distributed to the media, the second was sent to employees by union president Todd Crosby:

“For years, hard-working men and women in grocery stores at Haggen’s have shown their commitment to their job, their co-workers, the community, and this union family.  

“As difficult as this bankruptcy process is, our message to Haggen is simple – we expect Haggen to do what is right by their hard-working employees and their families. Haggen’s must never forget that these incredible men and women who do the work are the heart and soul of their stores. 

“They are not numbers, but real people whose work and dedication should be honored. Looking ahead, our union family will do everything in our power to protect the livelihoods of every member who is and has been dedicated to meeting the needs of every Haggen’s customer.”

And the message from Crosby:  Continue reading →

Protests planned at Kitsap Walmarts

Wal-MartAs the Super Bowl of retail kicks off  on Friday, protestors will turn out to Kitsap Walmart locations in support of workers.

Protests are planned at Bremerton, Poulsbo and Port Orchard Walmarts Friday, according to a news release from union UFCW 21.

Actions organized by OUR Walmart and other groups are planned at all 64 Washington stores this week, as part of a national campaign “showcase how widespread the call for change at Walmart is.”

The release said the protestors will call on Walmart “to provide workers with fair pay for hard work, full time hours, respect, and to end the retaliation against workers who speak out for an improved workplace.”

Agreement reached on another Harrison union contract

blog.harrisonA bargaining team representing service and dietary employees at Harrison Medical Center has reached a tentative contract agreement with the hospital.

The employees will vote on the contract July 9, according to a UFCW 21 advisory.

The service and dietary bargaining unit had been negotiating a new contract simultaneously with Harrison professional and technical employees. The pro-techs approved a new contract on June 27.

 

Harrison pro-techs will vote on contract Thursday

Union pro-tech employees at Harrison Medical Center are expected to vote on a contract proposal Thursday. The bargaining team negotiating on behalf of those 800 employees has recommended they vote “no” on Harrison’s proposal.

Negotiations on a new contract began last summer and stalled over the winter. The hospital and employees, represented by UFCW 21, returned to the bargaining table March 14 but did not reach an agreement. Harrison requested a vote on its latest proposal.

We’ll report on the results of the vote meetings Thursday.

Harrison pro-techs plan informational picket

blog.harrison.unionSix months of negotiations between Harrison Medical Center and its 800 union pro-tech employees ground to a halt this winter.

Harrison recently delivered what it calls its final proposal to the employees, who are members of UFCW 21. The union responded last week by giving Harrison 10-day notice of an informational picket. The picket will be held from 2-6 p.m. Feb. 19 at Harrison in Bremerton.

“This action has become necessary in order to connect with the public and patients and let them know of the challenges these health care workers are facing in the current contract negotiations,” UFCW 21 spokesman Tom Geiger said in an email.

Negotiations on the new pro-tech contract opened last summer. One sticking point in Harrison’s proposal is a clause that would not allow pro-tech employees to honor the picket lines of other bargaining units at Harrison.