Monthly Archives: July 2015

Two members from UFCW Local 21 wrote an op-ed that ran in The Seattle Times about the need for higher wages and paid sick days.

Higher Wages and Paid Sick Days Matter for Everyone

We know a thing or two about low wages and paid sick leave. We are two retail workers in King County. Our union, along with many others — and health, faith and community organizations — support a higher minimum wage and paid sick days. We support these benefits for all workers. Not some, but all, regardless of whether the person is a union member or not.

Here’s something we bet you didn’t know: About one-third of Macy’s workers who are in our union, UFCW 21, and work in the downtown Seattle store are paid minimum wage. While the new higher minimum wage rose to $11 an hour April 1 in Seattle — and will go up to $15 in 2018 — it’s still not enough to pay the rent.

But, at least in Seattle, a worker who is sick doesn’t have to miss a day’s pay because the city’s Paid Sick and Safe Time law allows employees to stay at home and care for themselves or a sick family member without losing a day’s pay or facing discipline.

We have tried to get Macy’s and other employers to provide a higher base wage and paid sick leave in contract negotiations so that all workers, not just those who happen to work in Seattle, earn a higher wage and sick days.

Higher wages and paid sick days matter for everyone, not just retail workers. When you shop, wouldn’t you want to know that the worker in the store where you’re spending your money is at least able to pay their bills and not come to work sick? If you’re like most people, of course you do.

Macy’s is not the only employer that foster these inequities. For instance, if you work for Fred Meyer at one of its Seattle stores, you get the higher hourly wage and paid sick days.

New laws like the $15 minimum wage and paid sick days in Seattle did not happen because Fred Meyer wanted it but because our union, along with others, pushed for it. Is it right that just because you work in a store 15 miles north, east or south of Seattle city limits, you get lower hourly pay and lose pay if you stay home when sick? Of course not.

Things need to change and that’s why we have been pushing for increased wages and benefits in our state and nation’s capitols. We’re making progress. The state House recently passed statewide paid sick days and a higher minimum wage.

Unfortunately, the House votes were strictly along party lines — Democrats for, Republicans against — and the bill didn’t go anywhere in the Republican-controlled Senate. However, the issues are not partisan for the general public. The overwhelming majority — whether Democrat or Republican — support paid sick days and a higher minimum wage.

Until we can unclog the log jams in the state Legislature and Congress, we must continue to push for change wherever we can make it happen — and often this is at the local level.

That is why we were involved in Tacoma to help pass paid sick leave for all workers in that city and are also working there on a task force to develop a proposal for a higher minimum wage. Likewise, we are supporting efforts in Bellingham and Spokane for paid sick days.

We are proud to be part of a progressive union, working in partnership with tens of thousands of others inside and outside of the union movement to expand the wages, benefits and workplace rights of union workers and nonunion workers alike.

There are forces in this country that would like to effectively outlaw strong unions so that workers no longer have the chance to stand together and fight back against a bullying manager or unfair and unsafe conditions. But unions, working closely with community groups, are one of the few organizations strong enough to organize for change.

We can’t stay silent. Inequality needs to be faced and defeated. Let’s stand together and speak up for a better future.

Susan Hedman and DeQuan Hawkins are members of UFCW Local 21 and serve on the executive board. UFCW Local 21 has more than 45,000 members working in grocery stores, retail, health care, and other industries.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and United States Trade Representative Michael Froman announced the appointments of two UFCW International staff members to two Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees. They were tapped to serve on the committees as part of a group of more than 100 private-sector members to be a part of the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) or one of the six Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs). This group of committee members will serve until June 15, 2019.

Kurt Brandt, Assistant to the Director in the UFCW Food Processing, Packing and Manufacturing Division, was appointed to the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products. Barbara Gilbert, Senior Policy Advisor to the President in the UFCW Strategic Resources Department, was appointed to the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Processed Foods.

“USDA and USTR rely on the individuals who serve on these committees to provide their expert advice on U.S. trade policy and priorities. They are an invaluable asset as we work to enact trade agreements and trade policies that deliver the greatest economic benefit for U.S. agriculture and for our nation as a whole,” Vilsack said.

“The strength of our trade agenda is dependent on the advice and counsel we receive from our trade advisors. And, now is more important than ever as we pursue the most ambitious trade agenda ever for America’s farmers, ranchers and businesses of all sizes. The individuals we are appointing today represent one of the most important sectors to America’s export economy and will provide critical advice as we negotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, and work to expand export opportunities for American agriculture,” said Froman.

Congress established the advisory committee system in 1974 to ensure a private-sector voice in establishing U.S. agricultural trade policy objectives to reflect U.S. commercial and economic interests. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative jointly manage the committees. The APAC provides advice and information to the Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative on the administration of trade policy, including enforcement of existing trade agreements and negotiating objectives for new trade agreements.The ATACs offer technical advice and information about specific commodities and products.