Stay Union strong
Category: Contract Negotiations
During this meeting our team looked back over the proposals to date and reviewed the remaining open proposals. The employers told us they needed more time to review their proposals and where they stand. We expressed an interest in bringing in consultants to discuss our health & welfare programs regarding how best to allocate our resources. As we’ve seen again … Read more
The parties met for three days and exchanged numerous proposals, including those on economics/wages. It is crystal clear that the employers are in no way connected with the realities that we face. Their wage proposals are light years away from ours; theirs would have us continue to fall behind while the cost of living continues to rise. These employers are … Read more
During this meeting, we worked towards (but did not yet reach) a resolution on some of the last remaining “mandatory subjects of bargaining.” Additionally, we discussed the process of commonsense consolidation of contract areas. The next scheduled negotiation dates are December 18th and 19th. While we’d like to turn the focus to economics at the December meetings, that will depend … Read more
Today, in our sixth meeting with the employers, we came to a scheduling TA* regarding a guarantee of minimum weekly hours at a level that is going to make a difference for many of our members. This step is due to your commitment and moves us closer to what matters the very most: wage increases. Continue to put the pressure … Read more
Our two-day meeting with our Unity employers was productive. We took some useful steps towards agreement on certain language. The employers have not yet addressed our primary concerns, though: economics (wages) and scheduling (hours). We must continue to step up and demonstrate our solidarity so that our employers cannot fail to hear us. The next scheduled negotiation dates are November … Read more
Our collective demonstrations of unity and our focus on working together is beginning to become apparent to the employers. We exchanged multiple proposals and counter-proposals during this two-day period. However, we were displeased to receive a counter-proposal suggesting that any dispute regarding reasonableness of a vacation denial must be submitted in writing within 14 calendar days and that HR/Labor Relations … Read more
This was the third meeting with employers and they offered very minor modifications. They’re still pushing to take away seniority rights, earned vacation rights, and to make it possible for courtesy clerks to check. They brought nothing new to the table that would resolve our primary issue: being able to afford to live in our communities. The next scheduled negotiation … Read more
Today the employer came to the table, but not much progress was made. They did not address many of our proposals, including staffing issues, hours issues, or economic (wage) issues. Instead, they proposed: • Scheduling you for fewer hours per day and more days per week • Taking away your contractual premium pay during hard-to-fill times (nights and Sundays) • … Read more
Here’s the 411 on the first day of Unity Negotiations. This was a big day: the first time our bargaining team met with employers. We came with proposals in hand, developed after many team meetings, time spent reviewing survey results, and much discussion with our fellow members. We told of our struggles trying to make a living with insufficient wages … Read more
May 14th saw the second meeting of the Unity Negotiation retail team to begin the process of initiating proposals. The proposals will align with the goals we’re committed to: achieving a contract that improves the lives of our members, coworkers, and families, which will in turn strengthen our community. We’ve also reiterated our request for bargaining dates to our employers … Read more