A majority of UFCW Local 3000‘s more than 400 members working at the mall and furniture stores approved a new agreement earlier this month.
The three-year contract covers sales associates, beauty advisors, inventory managers, merchandise processors, and receiving clerks at mall and furniture outlets in Bellingham, Lynnwood, Tukwila, Wash.
The hard-fought win came after several months of bargaining, which also included holding CAT meetings, leafleting, and staging an informational picket.
Key wins include:
- A ratification bonus
- Higher general wage increases
- Retroactive back pay
- Improved job flexibility for designated “flex” positions
- Expanded insurance benefits
- Strengthened language around union representation in disciplinary meetings
The members are pleased with the outcome of the negotiations. “We had a really strong bargaining unit, and more importantly, the support of our fellow union members behind us. With that, we were able to secure a contract that featured minimal takeaways and one of the best general wage increases we’ve gotten in recent years,” said Samantha Wilson, Bellingham Macy’s worker.