Your UFCW 555 Portland/Bend Bargaining Committee met for two days of negotiations on December 15 & 16 with the grocery employers. While both sides exchanged proposals, no real progress was made as the employers continued to propose inadequate funding for your health care plan, and insist on a mix of bonuses and minimal pay increases for the wage package. Management's proposals continue to amount to significant paycuts for UFCW 555 members at Fred Meyer, Safeway and Albertsons.
The committee was assisted by UFCW Vice-President and Region 8 Director Shaun Barclay, who took the employers to task for the companies' weak insurance proposal. The bargaining committee restated their demands for real wage increases and proper funding for both the health insurance and retirement packages.
Next negotiations are set for January 11, 12 & 13.
Now is the time to send a strong message to management and join with thousands of your Portland area coworkers that have signed the petition urging management to settle a contract with living wages, affordable healthcare and a secure retirement.
UFCW Local 555 is the largest private sector union in the state of Oregon representing 19,000 workers throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.
