Bargaining Moves to Wages
We met with Co-op management again on Tuesday 2/11. We reached tentative agreements on travel, management rights and union recognition (including a provision that would extend union recognition to any new sites the Co-op may open in the future.) While we discussed vacations, parental leave and lactation breaks, no agreement has been reached yet on these issues.
Most importantly, late in the meeting Co-op management gave us their first wage proposal (you can see it here.) They clearly heard our concern about the need for a substantial increase to starting wages and the wages of store clerks. Their proposal, however, would exclude most workers above entry-level from receiving any wage increase in the first year of the contract. This is clearly unacceptable.
The union has been clear that we desperately need a substantial increase in the starting rate, but that workers who have put in their time at the co-op also deserve an increase. We will therefore be crafting a counterproposal that reflects both of these goals.
Our next bargaining session will be on February 25 at 4:30 p.m. at the Central Office.
Events
Friday, February 21st at 8 p.m.: Colombia’s National Strike: Popular Mobilization and the Roots of Inequality: As people in Latin America and much of the world revolt against the imposition of policies aimed at further enriching the 1%, it is crucial to understand the interconnection of these struggles. UE organizer John Ocampo will be sharing photos and information about his recent delegation to Colombia, the world's deadliest country for trade unionists, at Mother Fool's Coffeehouse, (1101 Williamson St). Join us to learn more about the labor movement and popular struggle in Colombia and the U.S. role in maintaining Colombia's unjust and highly unequal social order. Brought to you by UE Local 1186's Culture and Political Education Committee.
Membership Meetings
We have informed Co-op management that we expect negotiations to conclude by March 11. We will then bring either a tentative agreement or management’s final offer to the membership for full discussion and a vote on whether to accept it.
These meetings will take place on Monday March 16 at the following times and places:
- 10 a.m. at Crucible (3116 Commercial Ave.)
- 3 p.m. at 301 Harbour Town Dr. (1st floor function room)
- 8 p.m. at the Social Justice Center (1202 Williamson St.)