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Taylor Julian, who works at the Central Co-op in Tacoma, recently joined UFCW Local 367.

Region 7 has been growing our union family in Washington state. Recently, workers from the Central Co-op and Fred Meyer joined UFCW Locals 367 and 1439.

In July, the Central Co-op opened a new location in Tacoma, Wash., as their second store in the Puget Sound area. The co-op’s managers originally refused access to union representatives from UFCW Local 367. To help UFCW Local 367 gain access to their coworkers, Seattle Central Co-op workers represented by UFCW Local 21 worked with Region 7 to launch a sticker action and engaged community groups to send emails to Central Co-op’s CEO.

The end result was access to the Central Co-op’s breakroom in Tacoma, where union representatives and Seattle Central Co-op workers signed up 36 of the 41 workers from the Tacoma store in two days. Central Co-op workers from Tacoma are proudly heading into negotiations with a strong majority of support.

“I am 100 percent for the union,” said Taylor Julian, who works at the Central Co-op in Tacoma. “I want to see everyone earn a living wage, have job security and equal pay for equal work.”

In August, UFCW Local 1439 in Spokane, Wash., gained 115 members from ClickList departments at five Fred Meyer locations in Spokane, Yakama and Wenatchee. The Fred Meyer workers joined UFCW Local 1439 for superior medical insurance that costs less and covers more. They also secured a grievance procedure, guaranteed wage increases. and a stronger voice on the job.