On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, your Union Bargaining Committee met with representatives from Fred Meyer and QFC, to bargain over the QFC Portland Grocery and Meat Agreements.
On July 26, your Union Bargaining Committee first met with representatives from Fred Meyer, QFC and Kroger and we were under the impression that we were bargaining every single Fred Meyer and QFC Union contract in the Union’s area, whether currently expired or not, as we have done in the past – not to mention, this is also how Albertsons / Safeway has agreed to bargain, every time.
Throughout July and August, despite making several proposals which clearly applied to both Fred Meyer and QFC, on August 23, the Employer changed their position and said they were no longer bargaining over QFC alongside Fred Meyer. So, October 8 was the first bargaining session explicitly for the QFC Portland Grocery and Meat Agreements. Your Union Bargaining Committee re-proposed those initial proposals first presented on July 26, with some slight modifications to specify sections and issues that only apply to QFC Portland. Unfortunately, we cannot legally force Kroger to do the right thing and bargain all contracts at one table.
We will not bargain contract language, terms and conditions, or wages in a vacuum. We know everyone deserves a living wage and pension and healthcare improvements, regardless of where in Oregon or Southwest Washington you work and regardless of which banner you work under.
This choice by Fred Meyer / QFC may take more time by having so many bargaining tables in many different locations, but we will not be discouraged or back down in our demands that Fred Meyer / QFC address all of our concerns throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington together, at one table.
Please do not be fooled by the Fred Meyer lies – to date, they have only offered Fred Meyer Grocery and Meat employees in Portland and Bend wage increases. Apparently, they don’t feel QFC deserves a raise at this time. Rest assured, your Union Bargaining Committee knows you do, and will not stop until an offer is made, and it is one that you can live on.
Your Union Bargaining Committee will be bargaining with the Employer throughout October and early November, all throughout Oregon and Washington, to address each area with an expired, or soon-to-expire, Union contract, along with the newly organized Grants Pass and Springfield Non Foods groups.
We will keep you updated as negotiations continue to progress. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Union representative.